7 Lessons Pokémon Could Learn From Aniimo
Aniimo is the latest of the creature-capture games to be released, and it has proven to be quite a blast. Many have praised its cute creature designs and complimented its vast world full of unique biomes.Like any…
Aniimo is the latest of the creature-capture games to be released, and it has proven to be quite a blast. Many have praised its cute creature designs and complimented its vast world full of unique biomes.
Like any creature capture title that has been released, many have drawn comparisons between Aniimo and entries in the Pokémon series, and some have lamented that Aniimo is what Pokémon should look like by now.
However, there is more that the Pokémon series could learn from Aniimo other than more complex and vibrant visuals. Its combat, world design, and even quests are on a high level. Pokémon needs to step things up in future additions to the series.
7 An Open World
Without Roadblocks
Pokémon has always had a more open-world gameplay style, where you can navigate various areas and explore to your heart's content. Over the years, this open-world style has evolved to be less linear and much more open.
In earlier titles, you were met with various roadblocks, but with the evolution of the series, it became much more open, to the point where you could fight the final gym first if you felt you were prepared for it.
However, Pokémon could learn about world design from Aniimo, as the game features roadblocks, but they are only roadblocks in terms of level for progression purposes. Meanwhile, Pokémon still features story-based and other types of roadblocks that prevent the mainline series from being truly open-world.
6 Graphical Style
It Can Evolve
For a long time now, players have complained about the graphical style of the Pokémon games. It's not so much the style as it is the effort that is put into the games in terms of performance and quality. Despite such a large budget, the graphics of each game can be considered lackluster at best.
For instance, Pokémon Legends Z-A was highly anticipated, but once players entered Lumiose City once more, they were met with bad textures, such as buildings that almost looked like they were covered in stickers instead of proper windows.
In stark contrast, the graphical style of Aniimo is gorgeous, offering a magnificent environment that feels alive. It really says something that a much smaller and newer property like Aniimo already looks far more visually impressive.
5 Unique Area-Specific Forms
In the Same Game
Wander around Idyll in Aniimo for a while, and you will notice something interesting about the various creatures (other than their adorable nature, that is). You will notice that quite a few Aniimo have different variants.
For instance, you will see a lighter version of Emberpup, multiple colors of Iris, and even quite a number of Budclaws. While not all of them have different types, some do depending on what biome you find them in. For instance, a Budclaw found in Beast Fang Ridge might be Grass and Earth type, but a variant found in Tideblossom Coast will be pure Earth type.
Pokémon did introduce regional variants, but you don't really see the original variant in the same location as a regional variant. You also never see multiple types depending on where they are found on the same map. Pokémon could learn from Aniimo by adding various type differences to the same Pokémon specific to locations, even perhaps with statistical differences as a result.
4 Interactivity
Wild Aniimo Don't Just Pace
Like it or not, Pokémon don't do much when you encounter them in the wild. GameFreak started adding Pokémon to the overworld, allowing you to intentionally run into them or dodge them if you don't want to fight.
However, most of these Pokémon just stand around, or will chase after you if you come near them. Sometimes they will perform a small action, but they are mostly a bit boring to watch.
Aniimo, however, are interactive. They will interact with one another. They will fight, form circles, bounce around. They are interesting to see out in the wild, and interacting with them feels more special. It is definitely something Pokémon should change in the next mainline game, making it feel more as though these creatures are actually a living part of their world.
3 Biome Design
Make It More Inviting
Speaking of the world of Idyll in Aniimo, it is easy to tell that there is far more to it than the way it looks. Sure, graphics help enhance the magic of the game, but the design of the world is something you cannot discredit.
The biomes of Idyll are cast and plentiful, and each of them stands out. You can tell the difference between walking through Tideblossom Coast and Echoback Landing, and the Mistwoods are wonderful.
The biomes of the Pokémon games are nice, but many of them blur together. They don't stand out very much, with some notable exceptions being areas like Glimwood Tangle in Pokémon Sword and Shield. The point being, the Pokémon series has the potential to have some amazing biomes, but many of them end up feeling lackluster, and the series could learn something from Aniimo about biome design.
2 Combat
Make It More Dynamic
The Pokémon games have seen various types of combat over the years, but one thing has stayed fairly consistent, and that is the turn-based style it keeps in its main titles. However, many have taken a liking to the style of combat in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
This type of combat allowed the game to be a bit more strategic, and it saw trainers directly involved in the fight along with their Pokémon. Aniimo also allows you to fight with your creatures ina similar fashion, and if you feel up for it, even become your creature.
You can step into the appendages of your Aniimo and fight as them instead of with them, which is an interesting concept, and one that the Pokémon series could learn from. Imagine becoming your Pokémon during battle. You, as the trainer, remain on the sidelines, but you fight as your Pokémon. That would be an interesting step forward for the series, something we've only really seen the likes of in the Pokkén Tournament games.
1 Quests
They Can Exist
There's never been a great degree of quests in Pokémon games. You have smaller interactions with NPCs, and sometimes these interactions can have greater implications, but there is typically a singular main quest that you follow with a side quest involving the game's villainous team.
This has changed in recent entries, with Scarlet and Violet having multiple main questlines to follow. However, these don't compare to Aniimo's, as the quests in this game are far more numerous and varied, and can be easily tracked via the quest menu.
Pokémon has come a long way with its quest designs, but it could evolve them a bit more. Hopeful GameFreak considers taking from Aniimo the aspect of having numerous NPCs who you can complete individual quests for, as well as multiple main questlines to follow.
8.5/10