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[Victor Omega]

Is the core of the franchise: collecting, trading, fighting monsters just been too simple to clone and stand out? Or technologically complex to improve? Which is it (or neither) and why?

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

Yo-Kai Watch

HUGE fan of that franchise and think Pokémon is boring.

Can't wait for Yo-Kai Watch 4 to get localized and released over here

 

[Captain Toad]

GameFreak doesn't even make good Pokemon games. I'd say they've been outdone many times over. Digimon, Shin Megami Tensei, Ni No Kunis, etc.

 

[TintoConCasera]

I think SMT is vastly superior to Pokémon.

 

[e0n]

Pokemon monster design is generally above the competition. There is also a lot possible theory crafting trying to turn your favorites designs into efficient teams with type synergy, move coverage, held items, etc. SMT design is just as good, but the demons are mainly used as offensive tools.

 

[saturnalian]

Edit, wrong quote

 

[Captain Toad]

Pokemon monster design is generally above the competition. There is also a lot possible theory crafting trying to turn your favorites designs into efficient teams with type synergy, move coverage, held items, etc. SMT design is just as good, but the demons are mainly used as offensive tools.

Yeah, I don't think SMT or any other game is better as a brand for multimedia monster collecting (cards, shows, etc).

But SMT and many others are far better videogames than the low-effort stuff that comes out for Pokémon lately.

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

Pokemon monster design is generally above the competition. There is also a lot possible theory crafting trying to turn your favorites designs into efficient teams with type synergy, move coverage, held items, etc. SMT design is just as good, but the demons are mainly used as offensive tools.

I would argue that Yo-Kai Watch ghost designs can compete with Pokémon Monster design on equal terms. Too bad the games aren't selling that well anymore

 

[Werewolf Jones]

Pokemon monster design is generally above the competition.

Yeah... Until James Turner became art director in Sword/Shield. I love that dudes designs but as a creative consultant he's fucking bad.

 

[e0n]

I would argue that Yo-Kai Watch ghost designs can compete with Pokémon Monster design on equal terms. Too bad the games aren't selling that well anymore

Never played it, but what would you consider as good as Spritomb, Aegislash, Golurk? And this is only one of the types.

 

[Eddie-Griffin]

The premise is the question is flawed. Pokemon isn't much of an ambitious or grand series, it's basically a corner cut RPG, that's somewhat formulaic with some mechanical improvements and graphics changes each gen. it's not trying to be even a NIS Jrpg.

So most Jrpg developers are not actually looking to make a game at that level, they are usually trying to do something more. The only reason to "compete' with pokemon is because you believe that you can take some of it's money with a similar game, but maybe try and replace some of Pokemons flaws, or maybe try to add a new spin to it, we saw various attempts on GBA, DS, 3DS, and Switch,Yo-Kai-Watch was the best attempt....

.....in Japan.

but that seems to have run out of steam. But while this may sound mean, most devs aren't aiming for pokemon standard, even for their simple or entry-level Jrpgs. Western devs have zero reason to even touch Pokemon because their stuff doesn't sell on Nintendo platforms, but on other consoles and/or PC/steam. Or mobile.

This is the reason why Pokemon not only is by itself, but also why there's not been much improvement in many areas fnas complain about over the years, why it took so long to start balancing the game, and why it took so long for the series to be 3D, and even then it's still limited 3D.

Other than the Gamecube spin-offs anyway.

 

[Saber]

Gamefreak is the low of low, not even good devs at all. The last "innovate" mechanic was basically something that even Skyrim could do(upscaled models is nothing new, neither impressive). Its just that Pokemon brand name is that huge.

A few monster catching games are super awesome, but can't really compete in terms of fanbase and popularity.
Cybersleuth for instance is an excellent Digimon game. Old games includes Dragon Quest Monster Joker, which is damn awesome. Shin Megami Tensei is also a pretty hot stuff, do check out. All those games are miles better than pokemon.

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

Never played it, but what would you consider as good as Spritomb, Aegislash, Golurk? And this is only one of the types.

Here are some of my favorite ghost designs