>>42039997Story isn't necessarily what I look for the most in fangames but rather what new mechanics,ideas, selling points, fakemon, and adventures are in there along side the challenge. That being said, story and heighten or dampen the experience and I've seen what the worst fangames and romhacks have to offer after seeing things like Reborn and Dark Rising.
Don't have too many rivals. I'd say 3 is the limit for how many rivals you can put into a pokemon game without it being a clusterfuck of unmemorable characters. Even though I'm not the biggest of the trio from Black and White Cheren, Bianca, and N all had their character arcs finished by the end of the story and still managed to be remembered.
Don't stop the game just to preach about something. If you're going to tackle an issue then don't hamfist it in and put the game to a screeching halt for something the player probably won't care about.
Do have moments in the story that involving gym leaders, E4, and/or Champions before and maybe even after you battle them. We get to see more of their character outside of their job in the pokemon league thus making them a little more memorable for having something remarkable about them outside of their challenge or team.
