>>58480789I dunno, why can't you access the Safari Zone without the Pokeflute? Why can't you go to Blackthorn before completing the Radio Tower, or most of Kanto before becoming champion (or visiting it at all without Surf)? Why can't you access like half of Hoenn without Surf (gee it's almost like Surf actually opens the game more in every game that isn't XY)? Why is Sinnoh just the fucking worst? Why is there basically no optional area to visit for an interesting Pokemon in Kalos? Why are there random ass gates in Alola when they also block you off via ride Pokemon you get right before the obstacle anyway? Even the more open SV blocks off Area Zero, probably because blocking it off makes experiencing a brand new area better when there's some anticipation of what's next, something that older more linear games understood implicitly. Unfortunately that doesn't always work, look at SS for the worst of both worlds.
Now I've got a question for you, what good would making a JRPG non-linear do when it comes to the fundamental numbers of the game? To me it either makes things impossibly hard for no reason, or incredibly easy for no reason. I can get wanting bigger more open maps, the numbered Xenoblades and to a way lesser extent Legends Arceus handle that just fine. But progression wise any non-linear RPG is fighting an uphill battle balance wise and I do not have confidence in Game Freak.
>>58480810I'm pretty sure Kalos filters anyone aside from Zoomers, they don't pay attention and think the game is good but when you look under the surface you see all the wack shit that doesn't work in one way or another.
