Pokémon, a multi-million dollar franchise encompassing games, TV shows, movies, comics, and more, has been criticized by players for not expanding upon its core mechanics and reaching its full potential. Despite decades of success, the series has largely stuck to the same formula since its inception in the 1990s. This has sparked a discussion on Reddit, where users have identified Pokémon as a prime example of a video game franchise that falls short of its possibilities, alongside other titles like Halo, Assassin’s Creed, Titanfall, and Infamous.
One comment on the Reddit thread labeled Pokémon as “the easy answer,” claiming that Game Freak, the developers, release games with minimal effort when they have the potential to be truly amazing. This sentiment resonated with the community, garnering over 5,000 upvotes. Many others agreed, stating that the franchise is “falling victim to its own success” and suggesting that Pokémon could “destroy the world” if an MMO (massively multiplayer online) version were created.
In defense of Pokémon, recent releases like Pokémon Legends: Arceus have attempted to branch out by introducing major changes to the mechanics, such as an open-world environment and the ability to catch creatures without engaging in battles. However, subsequent games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have returned to the series’ traditional roots.
Frustratingly, it often feels like Pokémon games take one step forward and two steps back. Great features are introduced in one game only to mysteriously disappear in the next installment. A prime example of this is the Secret Bases introduced in Generations 3 and 4, which vanished and have only made minor comebacks in remakes, lacking the brilliance of their initial implementation.
Personally, I often ponder the untapped potential of Pokémon and find myself enjoying fanmade romhacks more than the official games. However, Pokémon Legends: Arceus remains my all-time favorite, showcasing the possibilities that lie within the franchise if it were to expand its horizons.
| Franchise | Players’ Criticism |
|---|---|
| Pokémon | Developers fail to fully capitalize on the franchise’s potential |
| Halo | Not reaching its full potential |
| Assassin’s Creed | Not living up to its possibilities |
| Titanfall | Failure to expand upon core mechanics |
| Infamous | Not fully utilizing its potential |
Source: DOTESPORTS
