https://youtu.be/5wiy5hb8ya4
What if Pokémon Games stayed 2D and Game Freak continued to hone the Sprite Style they started off with... Pokémon ULTRA Violet Randomizer Nuzlocke ➜ https:/...
As a gen One'er, i will always have a soft spot for 2d, but i don't think the 3d games are as horrible as most say (except SwSh).
It aint the 3D thats the problem. Its the rushing out unfinished, uninspired corporate product because people will buy it anyway.
I do think an embrace of other styles of game,from art style like the 2.5d game Octopath Traveler or game play with the mystery dungeon, Ranger series along with Pokemon Conquest , would help breath new life into the series but that just goes back to what you've pointed to as the real issue; Rushed and Cynical games.
I would love to see the mainline games experiment more with different artstyles. Like you said, it would make the games feel new and visually exciting again. But yeah, I don't know how that's going to happen with the current release schedule.
2DHD style à-la-Octopath is where it's at. Would have helped much the general vibe of the regions that has a lush world but where you are still free to "fill in the blanks" the way you want.
Besides, 3D is too much for a small indie developer like Gamefreak.
From a developer perspective, no. Its so much easier to work with 3D models. Sprites are just not as mutable and reusable. Its literally hours more work for animations and just about everything else in 2D. Source: indie game developer making a 2D game right now.
Yes, it should have. The swap to 3D turned me away from playing any of the games beyond BW2.
I'd rather use my Switch to play 30 year old fighting game collections.