Arceus takes the half-steps established in Pokemon Go/Let's Go and Pokemon Sword/Shield and actually develops them into a Pokemon game that I'm driven to complete for the first time since Platinum.
A few things - I'm really glad that there are very rare surprise trainer battles in the wild areas. But I do think this could benefit from a little more battling structure, akin to the gyms. You pick up on the pattern of "battle at the gates, battle a mount guardian, battle a warden." I think it would be nice to challenge some of the people at the Diamond Settlement or the Pearl Settlement.
Otherwise, I'm glad they've cracked the issue of random encounters. I hope Gen IX maintains the ability to view the Pokemon in the overworld, throw Pokeballs from a stealth vantage, and handle evolutions on your own time.
A few things - I'm really glad that there are very rare surprise trainer battles in the wild areas. But I do think this could benefit from a little more battling structure, akin to the gyms. You pick up on the pattern of "battle at the gates, battle a mount guardian, battle a warden." I think it would be nice to challenge some of the people at the Diamond Settlement or the Pearl Settlement.
Otherwise, I'm glad they've cracked the issue of random encounters. I hope Gen IX maintains the ability to view the Pokemon in the overworld, throw Pokeballs from a stealth vantage, and handle evolutions on your own time.