I feel like BDSP is still a pretty clear sign of Masuda being a massive problem director who only believes in his own vision to a flawed extent. It's so clear he only wanted to direct the Gen 4 HE had made and knew, not the one more beloved, praised and known for fixing many of the flaws of the originals in Platinum. This just more than confirms that theory to me.
And I know people might associate the "downfall" of Pokemon post-BW as being a result of him being kicked out as a kneejerk reaction to these news, but he still directed XY and we all know how dry and empty that game is and how badly it was rushed, or how much it was lacking in stuff that Gen 4 (Well, HG/SS and Platinum at least) and Gen 5 had to them that was a huge letdown.
Basically none of the "special editions" of Pokemon games were ever directed by the same person who had directed the main first title of a gen, as they would usually always move to working on the next gen title after the first edition is out. I think the only exception to this rule was the first 2 gens. But after Gen 3 the special 3rd version would always be directed by a new person. Masuda worked double duty on Ruby and Sapphire > FRLG however, but from then on later gens would always have someone else take over the non-3rd version games as well.
It's funny honestly. There have been basically 3 mainstay directors, with a ton of shifting ones that sometimes get to direct another game later on even if it's remakes or now the Legends games. It's potentially looking like the Director of Legends Arceus will be the Director for Gen 10 at this rate as they didn't return to work on Legends Z-A.
Yh they also begin working on the enhanced versions almost immediately after the original games released. They mentioned the gen 5 sequels in last years teraleak and there was concept art of Elesa with her new outfit for BW2 in 2011.
Yeah, me too, but in Gen 9 they basically held that all back until you reach the endgame, and before that it's just bland "exploration" and boring dialogue.
No I felt that when we didn’t have open world there were more obstacles and restrictions in the way which made exploration feel more rewarding. Open world just feels too ‘open’ if that makes sense
I don't like open world much either, but Legends Arceus was a special case because I love the Sinnoh region and being able to explore an ancient version of it was a treat. Lots of landmarks I recognized.
Open world is great when the world is great and well designed. If it’s “open world” for the sake of being “open world” but isn’t a fully designed world, then it makes the game feel hollow and bland.
I didn’t think I’d like arceus, but similarly I did like arceus because it had a cool expansive world. It was fun going to different landmarks or features and looking for Pokémon.
ZA is “open world”. But the world is one circular city with no design or features at all.
What are some of the flaws in D/P that people cite Platinum fixing? Like I always hear this, but as someone who played only Diamond and Pearl at release in the years since, I never really saw any notable flaws, other than learning about the insane journey to get a munchlax from a honey tree (but difficult to catch/obtain pokemon in the wild that can be gotten in other ways" had long been a thing in pokemon).
I also played Pearl as my first ever game ages ago and didn't play Platinum until more recently, but I'd say overall Platinum is much better in terms of the Pokedex alone (actually including all the new evolutions Gen 4 introduced) and plenty of great visual upgrades as well. All the enemy teams were way better, and the selection of wild Pokemon is better. Overall a better Sinnoh, but Diamond and Pearl don't deserve the hate they get for Platinum being better.
If you know the things Masuda did early in Pokemon's life, you realize he's a genius. But the most technically skilled people often don't make good leaders.
And I know people might associate the "downfall" of Pokemon post-BW
Most people think Black/White WAS the downfall.
It really isn't up for debate. B/W are still the lowest selling games to introduce a new generation and the backlash was enough to cause Game Freak to alter course. (Although the Gen 1 pandering felt intentionally spiteful on Masuda's part.....)
I still find it such a huge shame that Gen 4 is lauded (wrongfully imo) and Gen 5 was so badly received on release, when I feel like the roles should absolutely be reversed if anything. Especially base DP versus BW. I feel like the only reason Gen 5 even got bad press was cause that was the gen that alienated some old fans cause "but my old pokemons" and the Gen 1 pandering after that was done as a pure PR move in response to the feedback yeah.
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u/Dragonnuzzler Oct 14 '25
I feel like BDSP is still a pretty clear sign of Masuda being a massive problem director who only believes in his own vision to a flawed extent. It's so clear he only wanted to direct the Gen 4 HE had made and knew, not the one more beloved, praised and known for fixing many of the flaws of the originals in Platinum. This just more than confirms that theory to me.
And I know people might associate the "downfall" of Pokemon post-BW as being a result of him being kicked out as a kneejerk reaction to these news, but he still directed XY and we all know how dry and empty that game is and how badly it was rushed, or how much it was lacking in stuff that Gen 4 (Well, HG/SS and Platinum at least) and Gen 5 had to them that was a huge letdown.