>>43247984The problem with Galar is you go through each areas so fast, you don't have time to fall in love with any of them. There's multiple design elements that make you spend less time in each cities:
- The game is easier. There are less trainers. Wild Pokémon can simply be avoided. Water and Caves don't have random encounters. All of that means that you need to go back to heal less often.
- Most cities are only connected to two routes (The one to get in and the one to get out). In old games, most cities were connected to three routes at least, or two routes and a dungeon. For example, Dewford has the Granite Cave, and between Dewford and Slateport you have the Abandoned Ship. Those kind of locations mean more time in town as you go back to heal.
- The game doesn't have HMs or Pokérides. In previous games, everytime you'd get a new HM or Pokéride, that was a reason to go back to an old city and explore. Go back to Dewford for the water routes and Abandoned Ship. Go back to Mauville, it has water both south and east. Go surf in Petalburg and you'll find some items. etc. Going back to a city you've already been through for story purposes helps memorize it.
- The game barely does anything with its Teams. In previous games, you'd often have conflict with the Teams a few times, and those were often centered around a specific city. For example, the Team Magma/Aqua Hideout is in Lilycove, and they steal a submarine in Slateport.
- You unlock the Fly equivalent really early in the game. In previous games, you usually get Fly relatively late, so you spend more time walking in the areas and memorizing how everything is connected.
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