I am not as fond of Pokemon Shield as I thought I would be...

For the first time in my life, I find myself in a position where I have a unshakable disappointment in Gamefreak. And I am not sure what to think. It's jarring position I am in and it's honestly scaring me.

Let me clarify what I mean.

I've always enjoyed the Pokemon games I've bought. I typically don't buy a Pokemon game if I know I'll not like it. The Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire games being a example of games I had no desire to buy. I had no reason to want to retread that territory with new features. There was no need in my mind. I ended up dropping out of playing Pokemon Let's Go because it's a retread of Kanto and it's something where it's was made with accessibility for Pokemon Go players in mind. I accepted that. Pokemon Black and White I lost desire for playing but I did like the story and enjoyed the pokemon within. I was more than willing to watch a playthrough in place of playing it myself.

But for some reason Pokemon Shield ended up being a outlier for me. It was a game I wanted to get when it was being announced. I saw what Gamefreak was doing and I was excited to try it. But having the game and playing it, I found myself hitting a brick wall that I cannot surmount. I found my desire to play the game just... die. And truthfully, I have been mulling over the reason and there a few factors. Though the big one is that it feels like the game is forcing you to do wild Gigantamax battles to be overpowered for everything. Like, actually playing the game normally is frowned upon. It may not be the case, but it sure feels that way for me. Add the fact that it's far more hand holdy than any Pokemon I've ever played. I've come to expect tutorials in Pokemon games, don't get me wrong. But this felt different. It feels like the game doesn't think I am a experienced player. The open ended map is a nice idea and I enjoy it a lot. But... it does feel like there could be so much more they can do to make it so much better. Having a mix of random encounters and visible Pokemon you can out right to avoid if you wish, is a step in the right direction. Plus letting trainers explore and face stronger pokemon early is a good way to teach where it's safe to be and not be to train. But more could be done to make that more refined. Maybe add more reasons to explore far more dangerous areas. Or make a story path that has to traversing a rough area. IDK. I am not all that creative.

I know I sound wishy-washy about this... but that's due to me feeling unsure of myself the first time. I really don't know what to think or how to feel. But I do know that I, for once, have no desire to continue my run of Pokemon Shield. I had hopes that it would be good. I wanted to believe the new stuff Gamefreak added would work on some level, even if they are not great. But I just don't see it, now that I have experienced it. I am honestly beginning to see why a lot of pokemon fans that *squee!* on Pokemon Sword and Shield so hard felt the way they did. But at the same time, I refuse to insult anyone or even discourage people from playing them, if they like them. I'd rather sit and let this pass me by and let those who enjoy Pokemon Sword and Shield, enjoy it. I don't want to play Shield. I don't want to see a playthrough. I just want to let it go and move on, like I did with the Pokemon games I didn't buy due to having no interest.

In conclusion. As much as I hate to say it. Gamefreak. You *squee!*ed up.

Anyway. That's my thoughts on this and I am happy to get it off my chest.