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. Watch Game Freak be a troll and not make “Pokemon Z” because it has so much attention on it that they have to change the name. Just like “Pokemon Gray.”

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  3. i like the idea of a zero game. but, the problem is, then we have to worry about gamefreak using numbers for their new region version games.

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  6. Question: What is one pokemon your team hates facing on wi-fi battles or friend battles besides legendaries? For me it’s definitely Mega Lucario.

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  7. Dicie
    Check mt.moon, i sent you a message and the images were made private D:
    Btw check the tumblr for some maps. EarthenWarrior is making a symbol for Team Eda

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  14. I’m hoping that they’re going to break the 3 game tradition and go with more generations closer together. If anything, like Black 2/White 2 but with new Pokemon added. More features/pokemon can also be added to games using DLC.

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  15. Its also possible they might do another paired sequel, or introduce this new region that everyone is so curious about. I could almost imagine the squeals breaking the typical mode. My guess for a name Pokémon X^2 and Pokémon Y^2

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  18. i think they need to add new mega forms for counterpart pokemon and add all the current fariy types that wernt add into the kalos pokedex like cleffa and togepi and cottonee family lines and add a extra pokemon for the gym leaders and eliete four members and your rival needs a grass,fire and water for him or her like the element monkeys in santalune forest for example for the 5th or 6th slot

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  20. Here are my thoughts on…

    CHARACTERS
    Let’s be honest with ourselves here, much more focus could be put on ALL of the new Partner characters. We go on a sidequest with Shauna one time (and she tags along near the end game) but other than that it’s always SERENA SERENA SERENA (if you’re playing as a boy that is). Tierno and Trevor barely even register on the map other than appearing once or twice, I mean Dexio and Sina have more relevance than they do. Also, we really need to battle them more than just that one time, and have them rebattleable in the game. Finally, STOP HAVING THEM RUN AWAY FROM TEAM FLARE. It makes them look like really weak and horrible Pokemon trainers, which they really aren’t (to be honest, Tierno gave me more trouble than Serena ever did and he had half the amount of Pokemon).

    Sidenote for characters: Gym leaders should appear outside of their gyms in the story like in B/W and B2/W2. That really helped characterize them and the Kalos Gym Leaders certainly look like an interesting bunch to learn about. Same goes for Diantha, I mean Malva, her inferior, gets more development in her. In conclusion, EVERYONE needs more exposure. This game did a pretty bad job with characterization, the Looker sidequests excluded (I feel more sympathy for the guy who started the end of the world against orders than for the guy who wanted to save everyone and went crazy doing it, just sayin’).

    POKEMON
    Pretty much on the mark, I’d like more Pokemon, or at least some more forms. The least we could get is some more Mega Pokemon after the itty bitty amount of Pokemon we currently have. I’d really appreciate some Pokemon to connect Gen V to VI to make V less of a standalone Generation. Also, I feel there was some MAJOR pandering to Gen I brats, when really the Gen III guys need some love right now (I’m a Gen II person for the record, but I really love IV and V the most, just sayin’).

    MECHANICS
    I was thinking maybe Olympia or Wulfric should have Inverse Battles. Olympia because of her cosmic powers, Wulfric because:
    A) That would be perfect for a final boss to have some sort of crazy power, and the 8th Gym IS a final boss.
    B) Ice is a very weak type IIRC, so that would definitely give him an advantage since he’s a pretty bad 8th Gym Leader. Although, I like the way he put it in his pre-battle speech.
    As for Flying Battles, the fact that you need to actively search for them is pretty annoying, especially if you’re not crazy about them. Also, trainer horde battles, just sayin’.

    In addition, I completely understand why there are so limited clothing options for now, but since it’s an obvious WIP, I’m cool with it.

    Sidenote for mechanics: Psssssssssssst, Pokestar Studio 2. Diantha’s an actress, just sayin’.

    MINI GAMES
    Pokemon Amie is totally perfect, I’d have furniture unlock more ways to earn affection and appear in the 3D mode, just sayin’. Super Training I’d make less annoying to do (IE, easier to find bags walking around, unlimited bag holding), especially when you’re starting out. No comment on PR videos.

    ONLINE FUNCTIONALITY
    Online Inverse, Horde, and Flying Battles, just sayin’.

    WRAP UP
    Pokemon Origin is the (0,0), also Pokemon Zero doesn’t play into the Grid aspect because it’d have to be a lone Z to represent the Z direction… But that’s just my take.

    If you’ve actually read all this, thanks for your time and sorry you had to bear with this.

    Reply

  24. Finished Sproot line and a new one called Pavella (peacock and beautiful in French put together). Will post on Saturday. Have to “sugimori style” them. Oh jeez this is gonna be fun.

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  25. So, I’m a bit out of the loop. What’s with all the talk of Fakemon and such? Did I miss something?

    Also, did anyone accidently WT their Noibat? 4IVs max, named Lilah? Because it just seems odd to have gotten such a personalized Pokemon via WT

    Reply

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