The reason Unova wasn't and isn't so well received is because of the lackluster basic starters (the most marketed Pokemon alongside the legendaries) the only generally liked one is Snivy because snakes and reptiles are universally seen as cool, pigs aren't for everyone (related to filth or just the bad guys in most cultures) and Oshawott was always considered ugly (and cute by a minority but most people always considered it ugly like when they called Popplio another Oshawott for being ugly and the least popular)

Not only that but the final starters were a disappointment as well (except Serperior and even her isn't for everyone like Snivy, too feminine and no limbs like it's pre evos)

You might not like the current "starters with jobs" trend but it makes mistakes like this won't happen again