After decades of failing to innovate its core experience, Game Freak finally shook things up with a completely open world and a non-linear story which uproots most of the franchise's conventions. The gameplay hasn't changed much from the previous generation but it worked well enough.
Unfortunately, all of these praises are mired by its technical shortcomings – and frankly, these are too terrible to ignore. I stood on a rock and ended up halfway across the world, I had pokémon spawn under the floor, and was able to toggle the world's lighting with my battle menu. These would be funny if they didn't also crash your game.
It desperately needed more time in development. It's also painfully obvious that it was initially more ambitious before several features were cut. This is not a finished game by any means.
As of writing, Pokémon is valued at $70 billion. By comparison, Kirby is not even 1% of that. It really should be held to higher standards.
Unfortunately, all of these praises are mired by its technical shortcomings – and frankly, these are too terrible to ignore. I stood on a rock and ended up halfway across the world, I had pokémon spawn under the floor, and was able to toggle the world's lighting with my battle menu. These would be funny if they didn't also crash your game.
It desperately needed more time in development. It's also painfully obvious that it was initially more ambitious before several features were cut. This is not a finished game by any means.
As of writing, Pokémon is valued at $70 billion. By comparison, Kirby is not even 1% of that. It really should be held to higher standards.