What are your thoughts on the typical Pokemon formula of getting 8 badges and beating the Elite 4? Many people feel that it is time to do something different with the series and stray away from this story. I personally enjoy the traditional story as it is comfortable and I feel I can casually complete each game.
I think they should keep the 8 badges and going against the Elite 4 and Champion, but there should be more to that afterwards. I really loved the battle frontier in Pokemon Emerald. It gave more of an extension of things to do and train for after you completed the main game.
As KyubiChan put it, that's the best way to handle a Pokemon game. Don't stray away from the formula that made it a winner. Instead, add more end-game stuff to keep the player engaged and increase the game's playtime. Pokemon Emerald was the perfect example: not only did you have the secret bases and the Regi puzzles, but you also had the whole Battle Frontier, which acted as the perfect end-game.
I wonder if the different formula is why Pokemon Gold and Silver did so well. 16 badges, elite four, the introduction of roaming Pokemon, and a rival that isn't actually your friend. He's also not your friend by the end of the series either if I remember correctly; the guy was in essence a full on rival.
I like the traditional formula, but I wouldn't mind some variation on it. I definitely agree there should be more to do afterwards, just to stop the game from getting boring, as many others mentioned with Emerald.
I'd be fine with the game following some other story progression, as long as the battle system and all that stuff remains I don't see why the protagonist can't do other things.
I think stick with the eight badges. But instead drop the Elite 4 and replace it with a 128 or 64 trainer single elimination tournament similar to the anime. The game could always be programmed to make sure that you face you're rival in the final. But every other opponent will have a different set of Pokemon meaning that it is quite likely you will never face the same opponent twice. However to make it easier on the first run. The order of trainers and their Pokemon have already been predetermined and should you lose a match in the Tournament. You have to restart the tournament from the first round, but since it is the first run no changes are made to your opponents and their Pokemon load-out.. However for every other attempt at the Tournament the trainers are randomly seeded so you the player could face any trainer at any round. However their Pokemon teams remain the same. Pokemon are restored to full health after each round, After the tenth tournament victory each trainers Pokemon are now 10 levels higher and evolve if they are capable of doing so. Or maybe for post game include a Champions League of sorts. The player competes in a round robin with 19 other NPC trainers. No items can be used in battle unless given by the NPC staff to use. However like the Trainer House in Gold and Silver only one league match can be played a day. And depending on where the player finishes in the league they can be promoted to a higher, tougher league or relegated to the league bellow. Or if there is only the one league. the top 8 trainers in W/L records advance to the championship rounds which is another single elimination bracket. But the Higher they finish in the league, the more advantages they can use in that championship bracket Top 2- Can use all six Pokemon 3rd-4th- Can use five Pokemon but are given one Revive per match to use 5th-8th Can use five Pokemon but are given nothing to restore health per match
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Though the inclusion of a bit more story in recent games is rather heartening, I'd rather Nintendo sticks to something that works. Pokemon is pretty consistent as far as games go, and I see no reason to change this. The people who are crying out for something different should either go play the spinoffs, or go play something else entirely.
I'm content with the standard formula. I find the gym battles and the Pokemon League to be the high points of each Pokemon game, and I'm always eager to tackle a new round of Elite Four. I think I'd be a little put off if I didn't fight them at the end of one of the games. I'd also argue that Nintendo does try to change things up, though always by wrapping the new content around that central pole of eight gyms, the Elite Four, and the Champion. Contests, bug catching, night-and-day, breeding, more and more involved storylines, free-flying exploration of the map, roaming legendaries, daily events... not every new mechanic necessarily works, but there's certainly an effort to make things seem fresh each time.
