I started playing today. I'm a pretty fair-weather Pokefan, but I really think Arceus has legit "no for real this time you guys trust me" changes to the fundamentals. It's not just the open world aspect-though obviously that's part of it-but how the way the actual Pokemon RPG stuff works as well.
There is a far greater focus on your character specifically and how they engage with the world. Everything you do in the open world is tied to Pokemon in some way, and at times the Pokemon themselves feel more like a means for you to interface with said world than as collectible battle critters.
Evolution is simplified, and is now literally an option you select from the menu. Combat has been overhauled and moves and abilities are either reworked or non-existent. Trainer battles are far more scarce. Even the act of catching Pokemon emphasizes item management and choosing how you approach a wild Pokemon so that if you do get caught in a battle it's either because you went out of your way to do so or because you messed up somehow.
Your main focus is on leveling up your Pokedex meter, which is essentially your character level. This time you're not working towards beating the Rock type gym, you're working towards filling out Bidoof's Pokedex entry. You can do this either by doing stuff like catching 3 during the day, 3 at night, and 2 that are bigger than average, or by defeating a dozen of them and watching them use the move "Rollout" a certain number of times. There are "boss fights" and other obstacles in the way, but the main loop seems to be centered around gathering materials to craft items to catch the right Pokemon in the right situation in order to level up.
I think it's a really weird and interesting Pokemon game. In some ways it comes off as the bizarre lovechild of Lets Go Pikachu/Eevee and Sword/Shield, and in other ways it feels entirely alien. I guess the real question is whether the novelty endures or not. For what it's worth, I'm enjoying it a lot so far, but I can't say how long that lasts.
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