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. Here’s what I would like to see in the next game or pokemon Z:
    More Pokemon
    More Interactable pokemon- one of my favorite parts
    Secret Places to explore
    More of a post game
    More post game areas to explore
    More emphasis on gym leaders such as having back grounds with them rather than battling them and never seeing them again.
    DARK GYM -just freaking give it to me already.
    More 3D
    Get rid of HM’s or make them deletable IDK
    More rivers to surf on. There are so many on the map yet only like 3 we can go on?
    Mountains to climb/explore
    More of an climax with the evil team, as in build it up a little more
    If you keep HM’s make them for side things like in B/W
    Have Gym Leaders partake in the story and evil team- loved that in B/W
    Make us want to go back and explore places. There’s no reason to go back to the awesome tower of mastery postgame…it’s a waste of a sweet idea.
    If you’re going to give us an aquarium, make it cool atleast!
    Should’ve been a top level for viewing the region or something in Clemont’s gym.
    More pokemon to ride
    What was even the point of pokemon village other than mewtwo? Make that more interesting
    Make Mew an in game legendary!
    Make RollerSkates equipable PLEASE. I love them but not every time I walk!
    Make IceSkates so I don’t have to slide on the ice in the same exact way every game
    Make wondertrade safe please
    I want to be able to go in a lighthouse. Don’t tell me I can’t!
    The castle in camphrier town was a waste. Could’ve been just a house and wouldn’t have made any difference.
    Give me somewhere to train my pokemon such as a high leveled route.
    Welp guess that’s about it. Sorry for the unnecessarily long post.

    Reply

  4. Now I really liked X/Y. The games were a lot of fun. But it was really obvious that Gamefreak held back a lot of development. Before anyone freaks out, that doesn’t mean the games are bad…all companies produce less for more return nowadays. It wasn’t until Pokemon X/Y that I officially got pissed off by this cheating.

    X/Y had a lot of potential where things felt purposely left out not for the mystery, not for the headcannon, not for the discussions or involvement of its followers, but because of laziness. This laziness can be due to a lot of things…usually time constraints, sometimes just sheer laziness. Gamefreak isn’t a huge company (only 85 employees!) so I understand them cutting corners. But to price a game at 40 dollars with even less content than previous games? Come on. I would have even accepted DLC, but they aren’t apparently doing that (they claimed it was so players can enjoy what is on the unit itself…that’s a load, it’s because it’s time consuming and pricy and f*** that).

    There weren’t a lot of Pokemon…kinda annoying but, well, least they focused a lot on designs. Story horribly paced with linear characters. Okay so they didn’t focus there…have make it simple for the kids right? No post game. WTF? No extra areas to explore besides Friend Safari which are all literally the same patch of grass. Oh come on. For as hyped as this game was, I was really expecting more…which I shouldn’t, because this is how companies work now.

    I believe what we will see in ‘Z’ is basically what they did in Emerald, maybe what they did in Plat. In Emerald, it was the same game but small story changes so that the two previous versions ‘mixed’. That’s possible here due to the similarities between R/S/E legends and the legends of this gen. Plat just added some content to the original story, which this game pretty desperately needs. GF is either hiding a lot, or, they copped out which is just as possible. And probably most likely.

    Other than that, if they aren’t doing a sequel to which I doubt they could as the story doesn’t have anywhere to go, I doubt Z will bring much to the plate here.

    Reply

    • I do agree with you on all points! However, your first point doesn’t seem to ring much. Let me reiterate, “TIME CONSTRAINTS”. This is a company! Companies have deadlines! The more ambitious you are, the more prone you are to not meet deadlines under time constraints. Do you honestly think that gamefreak was lazy? I think gamefreak was overambitious and wasted a ton of time trying to implement feature that they were unable to finish and were cut last minute (i.e the pokemon speech translator that Masuda mentioned). That said, if this was your list for laziness in X/Y, I can make the list 10 times longer for laziness in BW!

      Reply

  5. I’ve been thinking what do you guys think the absolute cheapest Pokemon one can legally use in a Wi-Fi battle? and when I mean Legally I mean no legendaries

    Reply

  7. ok its time for todays “Let your mind Exel”! heres todays question: Whats is the most ridiculous strategy you used in a battle, in game or competitive? be as detailed as possible so its easy to understand!

    Reply

  10. I need help with a competitive team? I have three pokemon already. About to get my fourth. I really want to battle with you guys, but I don’t know what I should use as my last two team members. Any suggestions for pokemon and their EVs and IVs?

    Reply

  12. I have about 3-4 boxes of pokemon I tried breeding for.. so now imma send them through wonder trade and see what I get from it all without retrading the stuff i was sent. now to sit back and see what i end up with o: -chill-

    Reply

  18. Breeding Malamar and Chinchou is a pain because it’s rare for them to lay eggs together and i need that outstanding speed chinchou to breed with my chinchou to create a perfect iv chinchou. Then i can give away my 5 iv chinchou. Also, chinchou.

    Reply

  20. If anyone would like to see my battle against Pokemaniacmy, the video code is
    JFMW-WWWW-WWW3-43U2.

    Tell me what you think, any criticism is welcome…

    Reply

  21. they should make a game where you can go to all the regions and the orange island and the battle frontier with team rocket. Also you should get Pikachu as your first Pokémon and be able to catch all starters like ash did and travel with Brock , Misty, Tracey, May, Dawn,Iris Dawn and all the other things ash did.

    Reply

  22. I made a map for a fake region like a couple of weeks before I found out about this fan game. It is based on a large gem and has little diamond islands outside of it. Totally not suitable for the game, but I just wanted to bring it up lol.

    Reply

  23. I really, really, REALLY don’t think we need any more Pokemon to be introduced in Z. The fandom is going to have to settle with having fewer Pokemon than usual. Do we really need that many more? Honestly? At this point? No, I really don’t think we do.

    Additionally, I have a theory about a possible plot element for Z that I wanted to get some input on. *SPOILERS!*

    Consider this: Lysandre is now immortal, just like AZ.
    I mean, AZ turned immortal after being exposed to the ultimate weapon, right? Well, so did Lysandre. Ignoring the subsequent rockfall that crushed Team Flare’s HQ, Lysandre seems like he’s in the exact same situation AZ was in 3000 years ago. Maybe living forever will give him time to reflect on how misguided his original goals were?

    Reply

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