Okay, putting aside all of my issues with the game's direction, a list of pros and cons so far on the game itself with no thought to the series as a whole. (I'm 9 hours in, just past the second gym)
Pros:
- The new Pokemon are all fantastic, not a single one I don't like.
- Music is great.
- The wild area is fun to run around, and the variety of Pokemon so far is solid.
- Early pacing. I was ~Level 23-24 at the first gym, and I love how it took me 5 hours to get there. Opening the Wild Area up beforehand was a very good decision. I know it doesn't keep this pace up, but if it had, and the League had been levelled in the 80s, I would argue it has the best pacing the series has seen in a long while.
Cons:
- Hop. Fucking hell, the main story feels even more railroaded than Sun and Moon. I don't need randomass exposition from this idiot every five steps, let me explore by myself ffs. Removing him would make the game better.
- Graphics. Some areas look fantastic - for a Pokemon game. The amount of slowdown in busier areas is unacceptable.
- Difficulty. The games are very very easy.
Difficulty modes are very sorely needed.
- I know I mentioned it above, but the goddamn railroading. If I want to catch that level 36 Vileplume before the first gym, let me. It's not going to hurt anybody's experience to allow us to catch stronger Pokemon early, the game is already incredibly easy.
