Why do people hate these games again? Story is serviceable but probably the worst thing about the game, but the new Pokémon designs are great and go by quality over quantity unlike the previous gen, megas are a fine gimmick and improve every design it touches, there are more rivals than ever, the evil team is more interesting than any previous ones, the box legendaries make use of the names “x and y” pretty creatively, it had all pokemon at the time and they made 3d models for the first time of every pokemon, along with 3d assets for move animations, characters, overworld, etc. It also lets you have a second set of the already amazing starters by giving you the kanto starters, simile to how the elemental monkeys were like a second set of starters. But unlike them, theyre more interesting, and you dont have to use the one that counters the type your starter is weak to, so it doesnt handhold you as much. Speaking of handholding, theres the exp share. Luckily, you can turn it off whenever you want, so you can have it on to help a low level team member out a little bit and then turn it off after youre done so you arent as handholded and overleveled. In addition, the pacing is great.