>>48940755While I agree that the 3D transition (among other things) was not a high point, it's too little to late to go back without severe backlash. The current trend has netted the company more money, so there's no going back on what's viewed as highly profitable.
Gen 6 becoming like Octopath Traveler would've been the better timeline.
That being said, it's wiser then to improve on the current formula. PLA is hopefully a test to have a better more "alive" Pokemon 3D environment. Hopefully some cues on an immersive Pokemon world is also taken from the modern Snap. Overworld encounters are a step in the right direction, and PLA is taking it further. Just focus on mastering that while adopting an artstyle/aesthetic which fits the series. The whole graphics arguments happen because Pokemon was never really meant to focus on "realism," coming from prior contristred handhelds and meriting programming issues.
You may be looking at the related image and thinking what I'm saying is hypocritical, but the art depicted is actually very stylized, looks great, and fits the tone/aesthetics of the game world. Gen 9 looking at least halfway between PLA and what's depicted here, with immersive overworld encounters, (Pokemon actually looking & feeling alive and not like robots), sidequest and task which feature different scenarios than battling Team villain of the week, and at least somewhat of a "challenge" mode would instantly make it an improvement in every way over Gen 8.