The Pokemon Company had quite a busy year this 2021, as it marked the 25th anniversary since the release of the very firstPokemongames,Pokemon RedandBlue, back in 1996.PokemonBrilliantDiamondandShiningPearl, the remakes of the fourth generation titles, were finally announced recently.BrilliantDiamondandShining Pearlwill be released this November, and the first open-world Pokemon will release soon after, in January 2022, a title known asPokemon Legends: Arceus.
This year also marks two years since the release of the latest mainlinePokemongames,Pokemon SwordandShield, which were saw success in copies sold and gameplay features introduced with them. These were also the firstPokemongames ever to receive expansion in terms of two DLCs, instead of getting a whole new title to enhance the original ones, as previously customary for the series. With a plethora of new, exciting things aboutPokemon SwordandShield, it is only natural to think that they will be used as foundations for future generations ofPokemongames, starting withGen 9orBrilliant DiamondandShiningPearl.
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Character Customization
While it may seem like a trivial feature, thecharacter customization inPokemon SwordandShieldis something else entirely when compared to otherPokemongames. Players can choose from a wide selection of hairstyles, all sorts of clothes, accessories, and even customize their own League Card accordingly. This degree of freedom is unprecedented inPokemongames, and it perhaps bodes well for new systems that could potentially allow players to customize their characters from the get-go, instead of collecting a few items and unlocking stuff throughout the game.
This way,Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlcould be more like classic RPGsthan they are now. Furthermore, it’s not uncommon forPokemonfans to experience a certain feeling of not belonging when controlling a kid, and if character customization fromPokemon SwordandShieldwas to be pushed further, this could change, allowing players to select the age of their trainer. Of course, doing so would also mean breaking free to some extent from the mold of the mom character, which is a staple ofPokemontitles.
The Breeding Process And Competitive Pokemon Teams
Pokemon SwordandShieldmade training more competitive Pokemon much easier and less time-consuming with a few notable additions. Trainers seeking to breed Pokemon to use in tournaments or online battles have always had to undergo a very complex and long process, but inPokemon SwordandShielditemslike Mints and Ability Patches help immensely. Mints are used to change a Pokemon’s Nature, which is huge, and Ability Patches make Pokemon change their Ability to the Hidden Ability of its species.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg forbreeding Pokemon, as there are many more interesting additions that do help in these regards. Pokemon can use Power items to increase their stats, for example, so that even critters with less than ideal IVs can still become competitive creatures. Then there is Hypertraining, there is a way to let Pokemon learn their parents' moves while hatching, and more.
The Wild Area
The Wild Area is arguably one of the best features ofPokemon SwordandShield, and that’s because it is finally an open-world-like area that offers different biomes, a deep weather system, weather-dependent encounters with wild Pokemon, and much more.Pokemon SwordandShieldlaid the foundations forPokemon Legends: Arceusto be a fully open-world experience, which is a first inPokemongames. While future mainline titles, or remakes likeBrilliant DiamondandShiningPearl, shouldn’t simply copy the Wild Area for what it is and what it offers, having it as a well-established feature means that it can be improved even more.
The variety offered byPokemon SwordandShield’s Wild Areais immense, and it creates an environment in which players can always find something new, encounter new Pokemon, or discover some secrets. This feature was also replicated in both DLCs,Isle of ArmorandCrownTundra, and it madeSwordandShieldunique games to play.
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Raids And MMO-Like Features
Raids are one of the most fun activities inPokemon SwordandShield, especially so if played online, whereas the local offline mode can become a bit stale in the long run. However,when played online, Raidsoffer what is arguably the first-ever MMO-like feature inPokemongames, apart from online battles, which are designed as a PvP experience. Instead, Raids allow players to team up with friends or strangers and just play what looks like a completely different game thanks to this entertaining PvE mode where strategy meets chaos.
Raids should be coming back in futurePokemongames, includingBrilliant DiamondandShiningPearl, even if in different shapes and forms from now. They could also mean that more MMO-like features could be introduced to the series over time, forever changing how Pokemon games are played.
Honorable Mentions From Pokemon Sword And Shield
Among the honorable mentions, there is one feature that was quite entertaining, and that is having version-exclusive rivals andGym Leaders. This is a very unique way to further increase the gap between games of the same generation, offering players a way to experience something dissimilar from the other title, instead of having differences mainly based on which Pokemon can or cannot be found.
Another great innovation ofPokemon SwordandShieldwas that players could set up a camp, cook with their Pokemon, play with them in different ways, pet them, and overall enjoy the creatures in ways that don’t rely exclusively on combat. Improving the trainer’s bond with their Pokemon is a very different breed inSwordandShield, and thePokemon campshould find its way back intoBrilliant DiamondandShiningPearl, too.
Lastly, whileDynamaxingwasn’t the best thing inPokemon SwordandShield, it offered a valid solution to the issues that rose since the introduction of Mega Evolutions. These were first introduced to widen the horizon of competitivePokemonplay, but they ended up narrowing it simply by having a different meta based on critters that became stronger thanks to the Mega Evolutions. Instead, Dynamaxing is a temporary process, and it can be used strategically. Still, there is work to be done on it, since the limited turns a set Pokemon can be Dynamaxed for made protection skills incredibly powerful.
These are just some of the most popular features introduced byPokemon SwordandShield, meaning that there is a lot more to do forBrilliant DiamondandShiningPearl, which will hopefully be even better than their great predecessors.
