I love Pokemon Y. I do. But I feel like nothing really changed. There's a ton of features I wished for, yet have not received. Yeah, I love customization, large quantities of Pokemon, 3DS-appropriate graphics, diagonal movement, and sitting. But... some things are unfortunately still there. Here's my list of what really needs updating..
1. Removal of "deposit" and "withdraw" functions for the box.
When have you used this since "move Pokemon" was introduced? Yet these two relics remain, not only for no reason, but above the infinitely more useful move option. Why would I choose to deposit if I don't want to withdraw, maybe move some stuff? I personally like to hatch a group of eggs, but depositing a team to get eggs while passing the Daycare doesn't take up that much time with move (i.e., any time). Fine, make them available if you must. But put "move" at the top.
2. Special features that don't want to make the player throw the game against the wall.
You know. Remember spreading honey on trees to get that damn female Combee, only to get a Wurmple? Or going to White Forest days after beating the game, losing most of the available Pokemon because you didn't play fast enough, and now you have to wait until going back to America from your year abroad to get more people to occupy the place?
And how can we forget "Easy Mode" and "Challenge Mode" from the Gen V sequels? Yup, I really want to restart my game to play a slightly harder version of the game I just beat. No thank you.
Even X and Y aren't immune. No, I don't want to drop everything I'm doing for one hour of the day to get some Mega Stones. Just make them really expensive at the Stone Emporium. Even better, why not make the available for longer than an hour?
For all the hand-holding people complain about, like EXP Share's new function, to being handed free amazing Pokemon for no reason, I think there's too much of the opposite extreme. Make the bonus features actually usable.
3. Ledge Jumping.
Okay, Skiddo can ledge jump. That's cool. But it's in one area that has ZERO PURPOSE IN THE GAME. Okay, one purpose: Showing off the ledge-jumping ability. But why flaunt it if you can't use it apart from the Skiddo ranch? I get using Mamoswine to pass through thick snow, Rhyhorn to get through a rocky road, and Gogoat to... walk through town? Wouldn't be so cool to use your own Skiddo to jump over other ledges? That should be an overworld ability. And speaking of...
4. Cut HM01 from the game.
I hate this move. The Unova games made accessibility without constant HM use possible. Dropping boulders with Strength, limiting Surf's use, and previous HMs are now TMs.
Then there's Cut. I'd be fine if Cut worked properly. However, unlike the boulders than drop in holes, the trees remain there, no matter how many are cut. Why? Cut is the least useful damaging HM there is. Even past ones. At least Rock Smash lowers defense. Cut is a glorified Tackle.
Why not give players more options? Reward creativity. Let Pokemon use Steel or Fire moves to cut trees. Better yet, don't make trees reappear. Best of all, DON'T PUT IN TREES. They've been pretty much sidelined at this point, basically (pardon the pun) cutting off the player from items. But Cut is the first HM you get. What's the point? You already have Cut. It's another relic, like Deposit and Withdraw.
5. Bring back Johto remake features.
Yes, I've got a bit of bias regarding the Johto games. Gold was my favorite game, then Heart Gold! For good reason: Great features. HGSS also gave us some features with amazing potential. The Pokeathlon gives use to "useless" Pokemon, Kurt's balls are wonderful, the automatic running is great, and, oh yeah, POKEMON WHO WALK WITH YOU. HGSS spoiled us. With X and Y, there's no way you could travel around Kalos being tailed by a Wailord. Tight corners like the hedges would be... unworkable.
Even so, remember how certain Pokemon in Sinnoh could follow you, but only if they fit standards of beauty? That was dumb. But there's some logic. Probably not many people want Corsola walking with them, so you wouldn't have to do all Pokemon.
Leaving that aside, rollerskates are very much like the automatic running... but only outside. My B button is wonky when it comes to extended holding time, so automatic B would be a boon.
Okay, some of Kurt's balls are dumb. No use for Moon Ball. But Love Ball? Heavy Ball? Yes please! Ilove new balls, but none appear in Kalos. For shame.
And yes, being able to play with, pet, and interact with every single Pokemon with individual mechanics (love how Slugma can't be pet) is amazing. But I wish more could be done with it. I don't know.
That's all I got at the moment. Anything you wish they'd done in X and Y that they didn't? Leave a comment below! Or don't. Whatever. S'all good.
