How would you improve a Pokemon game mechanic?

[-Dragmire-]

I am focusing entirely on the single player side of the game. This is due to my lack of any experience with Pokemon's multiplayer. Feel free to discus improvements for multiplayer with each other as well, I just won't be able to offer any perspective there.

Also, feel free to disagree with my suggestions but please explain why you think it wouldn't work or mesh well or unbalance the game etc.. I'm interested in that too.

... Also also, please tell me if anything like this has already been implemented and I just missed it.

Hey all, I've just gotten back into playing Pokemon Y again after being pulled away by some other games and I'm enjoying it again. However, there are a couple things that are nagging at me as I play. They surround the limitations of the move set mechanics the game implements.

My suggestions of how these mechanics can be improved are as follows.

&#8226 Have a fifth unchangeable basic attack[footnote]tackle/scratch etc..[/footnote] with infinite use.

reason - I don't like how pokemon forget basic moves and this makes the rest of the pp using moves seem more special. This move could upgrade either when the pokemon evolves or when they reach a certain level if the pokemon has no evolutions.

&#8226 Have the ability to swap out all naturally learned moves[footnote]as opposed to tm/hm learned moves[/footnote] at a Pokemon Center.

reason - While having a move set limited to 4[small](or 5 like i suggested above...)[/small] makes sense for the battle system Pokemon has, I feel it limits the players ability to experiment and customize their team. My first thought was to have the moves be set any time out of battle where you can customize for each separate fight. That seemed a little too broken so I figured that a good compromise was to leave that ability at the Pokemon Centers.

Spoiler: Figured this one out but, what the hell, I'll leave it in.

&#8226 Have the statistical info of the skills available to review in battle.

reason - Pretty simple, I took a break from the game for a while and didn't know what half my moves did unless I used it during the fight or checked it outside battle.

Further thoughts upon realizing that this is possible -

Sill wish it could be accessed by holding down the skill button or holding a shoulder button when selecting the skill.

Instead, you select the Pokemon button, select the specific pokemon, select the check moves button then select the move you want to check. Seems like such a round about way of doing something so simple.

[hr]


This topic is very much in the realm of "things I don't like" but I would like to have a more positive spin on it. So, how would you improve on Pokemon's mechanics?

 

[VanQ]

? Have a fifth unchangeable basic attack with infinite use.

This move exists and all Pokemon, regardless of type or level have it. It's a Normal type move called Struggle [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Struggle_%28move%29]. It has a base power of 50, 0 critical strike rating and the user takes ¼ of its maximum HP as recoil damage, regardless of how much damage the attack did to the opponent.

? Have the ability to swap out all naturally learned moves at a Pokemon Center.

While you can't do this at a Pokemon center, there are NPCs in the games that allow you to trade Heart Scales to do exactly this.

? Have the statistical info of the skills available to review in battle.

You said you figured this out already but what the hell, they have all this information in the Pokemon's status screen. You can read a description of the move and see things like base power, critical hit rating, type and power points.


Things I would like to see? A real time battle mechanic. I love the turn based combat in the main games and wouldn't want to see them go. It's easy to use but hard to master, has incredible amounts of depth and has a factor of nostalgia for me. But I'd love to see a spinoff title for WiiU or something that had real time, 3D combat. It would be an ambitious game but it would be fun as hell.

[sub]Nintendo might actually move some WiiU units too.[/sub]

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

You should be able to catch 'em all in a single game.

 

[Terminate421]

You should be able to catch 'em all in a single game.

But that would defeat the purpose in trading. Which is what the whole purpose of the games was crafted to do.

 

[Sean Hollyman]

You should be able to catch 'em all in a single game.

But that would defeat the purpose in trading. Which is what the whole purpose of the games was crafted to do.

Yeah this guy's got a point, Pokemon is a game about connecting with people and this basically makes that moot.

 

[-Dragmire-]

? Have a fifth unchangeable basic attack with infinite use.

This move exists and all Pokemon, regardless of type or level have it. It's a Normal type move called Struggle [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Struggle_%28move%29]. It has a base power of 50, 0 critical strike rating and the user takes ¼ of its maximum HP as recoil damage, regardless of how much damage the attack did to the opponent.

Thank you for the info, I was unaware of this. Seems harsh though...

? Have the ability to swap out all naturally learned moves at a Pokemon Center.

While you can't do this at a Pokemon center, there are NPCs in the games that allow you to trade Heart Scales to do exactly this.

While it's nice to know this is an option, I would prefer that this be a more central mechanic with less hassle to implement.

? Have the statistical info of the skills available to review in battle.

You said you figured this out already but what the hell, they have all this information in the Pokemon's status screen. You can read a description of the move and see things like base power, critical hit rating, type and power points.

Right, I just want a way to quickly do this in battle. Just a UI shortcut like holding R when you select an ability. I don't think something like that would detract from the game at all but I would find it useful, perhaps others would too.

Things I would like to see? A real time battle mechanic. I love the turn based combat in the main games and wouldn't want to see them go. It's easy to use but hard to master, has incredible amounts of depth and has a factor of nostalgia for me. But I'd love to see a spinoff title for WiiU or something that had real time, 3D combat. It would be an ambitious game but it would be fun as hell.

[sub]Nintendo might actually move some WiiU units too.[/sub]

I have to say, I'd love to see that too!

 

[Auron225]

? Have a fifth unchangeable basic attack with infinite use.

This move exists and all Pokemon, regardless of type or level have it. It's a Normal type move called Struggle [http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Struggle_%28move%29]. It has a base power of 50, 0 critical strike rating and the user takes ¼ of its maximum HP as recoil damage, regardless of how much damage the attack did to the opponent.

I think he means something like Charmander always having Scratch but Charizard always having Slash, Pikachu always having Thundershock, etc. Struggle can only be used if all other PP has been used; I don't know about you guys but my Pokemon never use up that much PP - they'd run out of HP first if anything. The only time I remember having to use Struggle was when I was like 7, playing original Red and being not very good at it. The fact that Dragmire wasn't even aware it existed only emphasizes how little it's used.

I like the idea, but great care would need to be taken to ensure no Pokemons "basic" attack is OP. It might be hard to balance it out.

 

[The Random Critic]

One should definitely attempt to make Pokemon less linear, and more open-world-ed since after all... rpg? I wouldn't also mind if the scale of the game are larger also.

At least those well received Heartgold/Soulsliver fans would agree. And my hatred for the first black and white will also agree with this

Also, more open-world-ed, as in there is more then one way to go though the gyms/grind and obtain new Pokemon's. (the first two Pokemon did this a little)

 

[frobalt]

You should be able to catch 'em all in a single game.

But that would defeat the purpose in trading. Which is what the whole purpose of the games was crafted to do.

Yeah this guy's got a point, Pokemon is a game about connecting with people and this basically makes that moot.

I disagree completely with your statements.

1. Pokémon isn't a game about trading animals you catch around the world, it's about training those animals up and collecting them. Basically: Trading is not the sole purpose of these games.

2. Trading would still be useful if you could catch them all, as there would likely be constraints on catching certain Pokémon that would push people to trade simply to make things easier.


Making trading mandatory to catch them all just puts an arbitrary restriction on completing the game, and also ensures you can't complete it yourself, which you should be able to do in a solo game; After all, could you imagine the outrage if another game required you to use a multi-player aspect to complete the single player part 100%?

 

[Joseph Wallace]

I would prefer pokemon on the console and to be in bundle packs starting from the 1st red/blue/yellow and working its way up to current and it would allow for migrating all caught pokemon(in one giant lump instead of one at a time) from one game to another after finishing one game. I would also prefer to be on console with the idea of pokebattles because then you could just search online for battles within the world on the game you are playing!

 

[Cowabungaa]

I'd improve the standard battle mechanic by upping the IQ of random trainers above that of a medium sized coconut.

Because who in their right mind would challenge another trainer whilst using two Metapods.

 

[Goliath100]

Better (as in actual) mod support. There is a ton of cool mods for pokemon, Nintendo, use some of them. Would it kill you to have some fan made, free dlc? And I'm not joking around about this: Where is my fully customizable Nuzlocke Mode?

After all, could you imagine the outrage if another game required you to use a multi-player aspect to complete the single player part 100%?

I hate when people use the "some other/another game...", instead of naming it. Because it's only used to make it harder to respond. What other game? What game are you talking about? Name it!

And what ever you come up with, it's a very good chance (like 99%) that there's a fundamental difference between what singleplayer/multiplayer/ 100% completion means in that sentence, and Pokemon's.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

This is soley because I'm an adult playing a kids game, but I'd like a more realistic and maybe more adult story.

I mean I'm sick of every evil organization, oh I beat this thug in a pokemon battle! He's now going to let my preteen girl avatar skip right past him while he does nothing!

Like I understand, lets monster fight and all but even if I kick their asses they shouldn't let me just run roughshod over them. Pull out a gun or grab me like a terrorist in real life.

And lets give the player character a voice ala The Fallout Games. A reputation.

Lets have some side quests, maybe ones that answer some of the dark questions about Pokemon, like where the humans get their meat?

Lastly, the game needs to use more cutscenes. The few that they had were neat in XY, they need to put more in to the next one. It made the world seem more deep.

 

[sextus the crazy]

This is soley because I'm an adult playing a kids game, but I'd like a more realistic and maybe more adult story.

I'm guessing you've never played a Shin Megami Tensei game before, because they're more or less this. Persona 3 (FES or th PSP port) & 4 are my personal favorites, but there's a ton of solid games in the series.

OT: A better story would be really nice, although I know this isn't going to happen. Other than that, I'd really like a better official online community system a la steam or PSN or something, even if it's just for pokemon. I'd make things a lot easier and more fun.

 

[Hero of Lime]

Being able to have a fifth slot for HM moves. It would not be used it battle, but it would just be an extra move to teach you Pokemon as to get rid of the practice of HM slaves. That would be so incredibly helpful when exploring caves and cutting down the random tree. Or, maybe most HMs could be replaced with items, like a cutting tool for the trees, a lighter for flash, etc.

Also making random NPC trainers have more Pokemon with more diverse teams. The Ace Trainers and Veteran trainers get it right, it would be nice to see the same from others. Maybe on a higher difficulty or something, which certainly needs to return.

 

[frobalt]

After all, could you imagine the outrage if another game required you to use a multi-player aspect to complete the single player part 100%?

I hate when people use the "some other/another game...", instead of naming it. Because it's only used to make it harder to respond. What other game? What game are you talking about? Name it!

And what ever you come up with, it's a very good chance (like 99%) that there's a fundamental difference between what singleplayer/multiplayer/ 100% completion means in that sentence, and Pokemon's.

I'm not referring to a particular game.

I just meant that if some other game was released with a single player mode that required a multi-player aspect to complete, people would be furious and there would be an ourage.


For some reason, people have accepted that, with Pokémon, you either have to rely on others or buy a second console and game just to complete the pokédex, which is arguably the ultimate aim of the game - Y'know, hence the phrase Gotta catch 'em all

And don't get me started on online trading. Peoples' demands ridiculously high more often than not, so it's not a realistic way to complete the game. Even so, you still have to rely on others for it.

 

[Mahoshonen]

Remove IVs, all they do is bog down entry into competitive multiplayer.
Allow multiple save files.
Stop leaving out Move Tutors every other game iteration.
Have Challenge Mode available from the start.

 

[JoJo]

Being able to have a fifth slot for HM moves. It would not be used it battle, but it would just be an extra move to teach you Pokemon as to get rid of the practice of HM slaves. That would be so incredibly helpful when exploring caves and cutting down the random tree. Or, maybe most HMs could be replaced with items, like a cutting tool for the trees, a lighter for flash, etc.

This, especially making HMs into key items so there's no need to fill our precious team's movepools with them, or carry round HM slaves. Other than that, I'd love to see a proper rival who acts cocky like the ones in the Kanto and Johto games so you just can't wait to wipe that smug grin off their faces when you cream them in battle. The more recent 'friend-rivals' just don't do it for me, they're utterly boring and unmemorable. Bring back the mean rivals!

 

[ayvee]

HM moves should become a kind of "trait" that pokemon that would otherwise be able to learn the move just have, inherently. And they would be able to use it in the field once you get the corresponding badge or something. So many of the HM moves are useless in battle, and they're difficult to remove once you teach them to a pokemon, necessitating the use of "HM slaves."

Plus it's a bit silly that my Machamp can't move this boulder unless I teach it a move specifically for moving boulders.