What We Could See in Pokémon ‘Z’…

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Now that Pokémon X&Y have been out for a month, it’s time to start talking about the ‘third game’ of Generation VI. Here are some things that I would personally like to see, as well as a few predictions.

Characters & Story

Comments: Pokémon X&Y gave the main character quite a few friends, and all of them had interesting personalities, but much more focus could’ve been put on other NPCs such as the champion (not giving any spoilers), Lysander, and the last 4 gym leaders. The missions with a certain Pokémon detective were nice, but even they could’ve been more extensive and had more puzzle elements. After Pokémon Black & White, X&Y felt a little underwhelming in the story department and decidedly less epic. Although Team Flare had an interesting goal, the beauty of their plan wasn’t given enough exposure. Their weapon was pretty cool though.

And what about that great cutscene?? A Pokémon war?? I’d love to see that be explored more instead of just told to the player and shown in almost still images.

Prediction: The mysterious AZ will play a much bigger role in the next game and… hopefully… we’ll learn more about the sad past of Kalos. Wish we could play in a non-modern era of the region!

Pokémon

Comments: Many fans were disappointed about the small number of new Pokémon introduced in Generation VI. Whether or not they could or would rectify that in a third game remains to be seen. Personally, I think it was nice to give the limelight to older Pokémon. They really came to life in 3D and reminded me, personally, of why I love the series so much. It was fun to go through the game with a mixed team of old and new friends.

Pokémon “Z” may push this feeling of nostalgia past its welcome, unfortunately. With such a wide variety of Pokémon available in X&Y, it may be hard to make the third game stand out by introducing more catchable ‘mons; especially after the release of Pokémon Bank.

Prediction: New form for the third legendary (sadly a troupe now) and possibly a few others. GameFreak may even patch X&Y to include new Pokémon which debut in the third game…

Mechanics

Comments: Generation VI introduced new battle types, such as Inverse and Sky, but their implementation was lackluster. The third game should really capitalize on these new ways to battle and include them in the plot… not just as optional side events. Maybe a gym leader that forces the player to participate in one of them? That would certainly make players rethink some of their strategies.

One of the most exciting new mechanics of Pokémon X&Y, however, was the addition of trainer customization. FINALLY we get to decide how we look in the game and aren’t playing a generic Japanese (pre-) teen. The system, however, is very limited in its current form and clothing types are repetitive and boring. Hairstyles are also very limited, especially for males. While it was a step forward, it definitely wasn’t the revolution some people (including myself) would have preferred. Especially disappointing for Nintendo fans who may have hoped for some Animal Crossing-esque clothing options. And, seriously Game Freak, why can’t we take off our hat?!

Prediction: New Gym Leader that focuses on Sky Battles or Inverse Battles. Many more hair/clothing options, possibly an added tool to allow players to personalize outfits.

Mini-Games

Comments: Pokémon-Amie was OK. I haven’t used it much because, to be honest, there’s not all that much to do. I hope that they improve the system to include more virtual pet aspects so that you can feel a little more connected with your team. Super Training also didn’t ‘wow’ me and unless I want EV-training, I wouldn’t just play it for fun. The only thing that I really enjoyed, and isn’t technically a “mini-game”, is the Trainer PR Video system. It’s surprisingly customizable and the 10-second limit really makes you think about what you want to put in it.

Prediction: Very few changes to Amie or Super Training, new options coming to PR vids.

Online Functionality

Comments: Wonder Trade is wonderful. I think that is perhaps one of the best new additions to the series and it is genuinely fun to send a random Pokémon to a stranger and see what you get in return. Some trades are more rewarding than others, but that’s part of the fun. Trading and battling is also easier than ever in X&Y and I don’t think I actually have any complaints about the system. It’s just fun. I don’t see Game Freak doing a whole lot to change what they built, because it’s pretty darn good. The Player Search System is a fun little use of the bottom screen and primarily what I use while I’m playing.

Prediction: Online functionality stays the same.

Wrap-up

I liked Pokémon X&Y. A lot. Definitely my favorite games of the series so far and I can’t wait to see how Game Freak improves on them in the third installment. Have any complaints that you’d like addressed in their follow-up? Something you thought was missing in X&Y? Leave a comment! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

NL would also like me to add that his prediction for the third game’s title is “Pokémon Zero” which plays upon both the Z and also 3D coordinates (0,0), the origin point. What do you think?!

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2,799 thoughts on “What We Could See in Pokémon ‘Z’…”

  1. Hopefully Pokemon Z will be a full pokemon game. X&Y lacked a lot of features and it seemed like it was only focused on the graphics.

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  2. My own personal dream games would be:

    Third Game to XY
    – release this game first to finish up the empty void that XY story left.
    – include around 5-10 new Mega Evolutions, including one for Zygarde.
    – include around 50 brand new Pokemon (dubbing it Gen 6.5)
    – slight enhancements to Amie
    – more clothes in Trainer Customization
    – return of friend safari’s with more diverse Pokes.
    – completely new region that after you finish, Professor gives you a ticket to board train to an enhanced Kalos region where you must obtain the next 8 badges (total of 16 like HGSS).

    R/S Remakes/Updates

    – two games cause Nintendo likes money and they’ll sell like hotcakes
    – two new Protagonists (trainer customization returns)
    – Brendan/May are our new friends (think Trevor, Shauna etc)
    – include another 5-10 brand new Mega Evolutions.
    – Choose Hoenn starter in LittleRoot, and then Brendan gives us a Johto starter (since he’s from Johto) once we reach Rustboro City.
    – Steven Stone researching Mega Stones in the Hoenn region (gives you Beldum holding Metagrossite once you beat game)
    – Keldeo found on Mystery Island (along with the infamous and infinite amount of Wynaut which can now appear in Hordes and have increased shiny rate on the island) [would give us the our first legal shiny Keldeo that we can soft reset for]
    – The other 3 musketeer’s running wild around Hoenn after you beat the game.
    – Secret Bases return and they work like Friend Safari’s. If you have a person registered in your 3DS friends their Secret Base will appear in your game but you can’t battle their default team unless you beat elite 4.
    – Faraway Island Ticket distrubuted the first month the games come out, allowing us to take a ferry to catch Mew (think Victini Liberty Island event)
    -Mega Kyogre/Groudon as the new box art.

    i was trying to think of more cool things they could implement but can’t lol.

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    • You got the right idea here, especially with the third game to X/Y. I found 2nd gen to be my favorite to play because of the expansion to Kanto and getting 16 badges. I think it brings a giant post game that has meaning to it.

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    • Sounds great. But yeah, the Mega Legendary mascots aren’t needed.

      It’s Mirage Island, not Mystery Island.

      Wally could be a new gym leader or champion and uses Mega Gardevoir.

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      • LOLLLL I Knew Mystery Island sounded odd. I kept saying it aloud to myself and I’m like… is that whats it called. Meh too lazy to google lmao. I can imagine people leaving comments on here now like “argh mirage island is appearing for everyone but me, what do i have to do to make it appear” LOL

        I can definitely see the wally thing! I should include that above but its your idea lol!

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        • My name is Lelouch Vi Britannia, and you have my permission to DY— I mean…edit your comment and include my idea, so long as you give me credit.

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    • well we now have the Kanto/Johto league, the Hoenn league, the Sinnoh league, the Unova league, and the Kalos league. So my thoughts are for a major post game to increase the max level to something like 300 and to have us travel through everywhere and getting the badges for each area and beating their respective elite fours and champions. Then after all of this is done we go to a new island area that we have to use a new environment move, not an HM, to get through and we find at the end the league of champions. we can battle them as an elite four in any battle style we choose and we have the champion of champions be from our favorite region and we have to have 2 separate battle with separate styles with them before we truly win. This would be to show our mastery over pokemon battling. Then when we win, we can go to an all new area that allows us to buy master balls and we can meet the protagonists from the prior gens and can help them out or compare stories and battle them

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    • Are you serious? 6.5? No. NO. NOOOOO. Then Z version would be completely separate from every other game. It has to be compatible or it messes the meta game up.

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  3. Something I’ve been wondering for a very long time: How does Shauna interact with the protagonist when you both are watching the fireworks in Parfuum Palace…if you play as Serena?

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  7. Dear GF,

    Please give us new special ground, rock, and steel type moves and new physical psychic type moves. Also, gives us new physical ground type moves that DON’T EFFECT EVERYONE, is Drill Run really the only move that does this?!

    Sincerely,
    A Die Hard Pokémon Fan

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      • I knew about them already, but not all Pokémon can learn them. And that’s not enough. I would like more of those kind of moves for more variety.

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          • Lunatone has been suffering for 14 years! The only special rock type move it can learn (besides Hidden Power Rock) is Ancient Power. And that’s a move tutor move…IN Pt/HG/SS!!!

          • While I agree about Lunatone, I am more disgusted by the fact that Aurorus WHO HAS GEMS ON IT’S BODY CAN’T LEARN POWER GEM!!!!!

          • YOU AND MY BRO ARE IN THE SAME BOAT!!! That’s the word he used to describe this situation: “disgusted”! Seriously, it should learn it! IT HAS FREAKING GEMS ALL OVER IT’S BODY!!! He taught it Ancient Power and is not amused.

    • I’m good with these kind of things lets see
      Geo-force: a powerful eruption of land energy (although Earth Power)
      Refraction: Blasts out focused light beams from gems
      Mindstrike: with will power strike the opponent without fail
      Sinkhole: Traps and crushes the opponent for 5 turns

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  14. @ the article, I agree with a lot you stated XD
    but i’d like describe some stuff i wish they added to the clothing part. i wish there were better accessories and more options, glasses, wristbands, necklaces, and such. I also wish they LET US TAKE OFF OUR HAT Q.Q or at leaaasstt have better hats instead of stereotyping clothes by gender <.< i loovvee animal hats, so when i saw people with the pangoro one, i was so excited to get one, but then i heard the girls get some pink frilly dress and just. dreams ruined Q_Q

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  15. Remember this? This screenshot is from one of the XY trailers a few months ago. This is another reason why we all thought Dive was coming back. It didn’t…at least not yet. Refresh if you don’t see it.

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  22. Omg, I totally agree about taking off the hat! I know its small, but its REALLY dumb and I want to see my character’s cute hair. If only I wasn’t forced to change out of my pajamas at the beginning (further proof that you shouldn’t HAVE to wear a hat, since the model is capable of not having one).

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    • yes!!! whats the point of styling the hair if you re just hardly gunna see it with the hat??? and please, more hairstyles! men have ponytails too… T-T that and the most iconic male outfit of all: a suit! or even a tux! come on!!!!!

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      • I’d like the ability to cross dress too. I don’t care what anyone says, I don’t want it to send the message that a boy can’t wear a dress if he wants. I support tolerance for people’s tastes and preferences, especially for something as harmless as clothing.

        Reply

  24. Once choice to make,
    my life to flake.
    Should I choose the wrong path,
    I shall be overcome by wrath.
    ——————————————
    That is how I feel.

    Reply

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