>>49479073I really like the side missions in terms of their story. They work really well as fun little vignettes that help sell a setting in which people are apprehensively curious about Pokemon at best, or outright terrified of them (with good reason) at worst.
The main story is... fine, it's there. But there's something weirdly wholesome about delivering a geodude to be used as a pickling stone, and spotting him on top of the barrel a few hours later, as you kinda feel the whole village gradually become more accepting and comfortable with Pokemon the more you help introduce them through the various side activities.
It's a surprisingly simple but effective narrative trick that really immerses me in the game and has me doing side stuff that otherwise be pretty bland and pointless. Rewards don't do much, but it's adorable seeing an old guy freak out because he can't find his Eevee then recognize it evolved into Umbreon because of the way it ate its favorite cake.
