>>57897581I have no idea how the worst isn't considered to be GSC. HGSS is still dogshit and has nearly every problem GSC has, with more time gated dogshit.
The team building is horrendous given that the Pokemon distribution is bad, the level curve makes it difficult to add new team members after Morty (and practically impossible in Kanto) without grinding, plenty of Johto Pokemon are locked to the postgame or unreasonably rare in remote areas, and the new evolutions that could've helped were restricted to the postgame save for one heart scale. There's a reason why everyone uses Ampharos and Heracross, and it's because options are limited. That makes replayability with different teams harder
The overworld feels hollow and empty. Johto is a linear region with some of the simplest routes, most boring and short required dungeons and unfulfilling optional dungeons with disappointing rewards. You can complete everything it has to offer in under 20 hours, which is short for a Pokemon game. Easily the worst region after Galar. Kanto was downgraded from RBY/FRLG since so many iconic and interesting areas were removed. Besides, all you do is a boss rush through the gym leaders, which should take 3 hours tops. 2 regions mean jack if they're both underwhelming
The pacing is absolutely horrendous. There's no reason for there to be no regular trainers between the Chuck and Jasmine fight, and then having to fight a barrage of underleveled and boring rocket grunts in Mahogany and Goldenrod. Considering that the latter is the main quest's climax, that's extremely disappointing. Certainly doesn't help that most of the boss battles were lame, especially Lance. Who thought 3 Dragonites were a good idea when 2 of them could've easily been replaced by Kingdra and Tyranitar, which would've also showed off some of the new Johto Pokemon which the game failed at doing?
Just a few things that show the flawed gameplay which other Pokemon games excelled at
