>>51623715>mostly ad homs and petty nonsenseYeah, that's pretty much what I expected.
Focusing on the actual arguments you made, 'extreme party customization' isn't part of 'traditional' RPGs as it is JRPGs. Sure, fine, in most JRPGs you receive set characters who do set things, not all of them are like this (I would argue Pokemon itself, but you're clearly not too happy about that), this is beginning to sound like a case of labels and defining specific attributes to only ever be part of one group overtaking actual common sense. Is Final Fantasy 5 a 'traditional' RPG? Are some of the Persona games 'traditional' RPGs?
I also was honestly just zeroing in on Etrian Odyssey because it shows you lack an objective understanding of the topics you're trying to grapple with while calling out half the thread. If you were going to use an image example, you should have picked a better one.
I will repeat myself as many times as necessary - arguing over labels and whether or not Pokemon fits into them is irrelevant to the simple point that Pokemon is more focused on story now, whether you or I like it or not. Expecting Pokemon to go back to some fantastical 'traditional RPG' roots that did not truly exist, rather than wanting and enjoying a full, vibrant story with actual characters, is an approach that lacks critical thought.
