>>40377742This is what people that say 'routes were always hallways' will never understand. You can have a route with a single entrance and exit in a straight line, but just include little hidden pathways that you wouldn't expect and items/trainers to battle. It gives you a little bit of exploration, and the feeling like you're in a real world rather than a video game set-up taking you from point A to point B for the next story beat.
Unfortunately, these kinds of hidden gems have been removed from pokemon, mainly because of switch to 3D and the POV switch to be more horizontal rather than top down. When you can see into the distance, it removes the chance for secrets. When everything is in view, there's no where to hide things, or at least Gamefreak hasn't figured out how yet.
It's why I get annoyed at sets up like this in Sword and Shield and Sun and Moon, with little fences keeping you in. Some people say "but look at the vista!" but to me it's just depressing because I know I'll never get to go there because of a fucking 2 foot tall fence post.
Top down forever
