ThePokemonfranchise has a lot of exciting content on the way, thanks toPokemon ScarletandViolet.Every new generation of the franchise comes with dozens of new creatures for fans to collect and befriend, putting yet another twist on the eternal quest to complete the Pokedex. However,Pokemon ScarletandVioletdon’t deserve all the credit for carrying thePokemonfranchise at the moment. Ongoing live-service products likePokemon GOare crucial too. In recent history,Pokemon GOhas allowed new insight into established mechanics like Mega Evolution, but it may have much more to offer thePokemonfranchise than that.
One of the biggest ongoing trends in the franchise is the introduction of regionalPokemonvariants. Alola, Galar, and Hisui have all added special versions of known Pokemon in order to add a little diversity to the franchise world. These regional forms have largely been met positively, and withnearly a thousand distinct Pokemonin existence, there is still room for a lot more regional variants to crop up in any given Pokemon game. WhilePokemon GO’s lore and gameplay model would make it a little unorthodox, the hit mobile title could use a few regional Pokemon variants of its own.
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Why Pokemon GO Deserves Regional Variants
For many years,Pokemon GOhas been a proud ambassador for regional Pokemon variants. Several Alolan versions of Pokemon arrived inPokemon GOlong before Pokemon from older generations, and Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode quickly arrived in the game in 2022 to celebratePokemon Legends: Arceus' release. Nevertheless,Pokemon GOlacks its own special Pokemon variants. As a general rule,Pokemon GOhas been treated very much as a minor part of thePokemonfamily focused on adapting well-known franchise concepts, rather than introducing lots of its own ideas.
Even though it isn’t made by Game Freak,Pokemon GOdeserves more special treatment. Niantic has madePokemon GOinto an overwhelming success that continues to draw in players and generate lots of revenue; fewPokemonspinoffs can claim to be quite as popular and profitable as Niantic’s mobile title. BecausePokemon GOhas performed outstandingly, it deserves to introduce some new things to the franchise, rather than mainly picking up on content and trends from the corePokemongames. A couple regional variants that spotlightPokemon GO’s unique concept and characteristics would be a great way to celebrate the game’s contributions.
Imagining Pokemon GO Regional Forms
SincePokemon GOis so focused on real-life travel and exploration, Niantic and Game Freak could collaborate to create some migratory forms of established Pokemon. For instance, the companies could addthe Flying typeto certain Pokemon to mimic real birds that travel with the seasons, or it could similarly make fishlike Water-type variants that wander the Pokemon world with the help of ocean currents. Traveling Pokemon variants like this could quite feasibly be called things like “Psyduck GO”, since the name would represent their migratory nature even in consolePokemongames. Creatures fromPokemon GOthat migrate could also lead to fun seasonal events in games likePokemon ScarletandViolet.
For the time being, it seems unlikely thatPokemon GOwill start adding its own regional forms. The mechanic is usually intended to spotlighta newPokemonregion’s features; Game Freak and The Pokemon Company might understandably findPokemon GO’s setting and themes too nebulous to warrant entirely newPokemonforms. Still,Pokemon GOhas undoubtedly earned a little special treatment. The game has earned a place as one of the topPokemonspinoffs, and it still seems to have years of contributions ahead of it. IfPokemon GOstill has so much to give, then the franchise ought to at least let it have a few special Pokemon that cement its legacy.
Pokemon GOis available now for Android and iOS devices.
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