"Pokemon was never good we just thought it was" is a highly exaggerated take (what else would you expect from 4chan) but they've hit on something I've been saying for a while https://twitter.com/Circushellspawn/status/1314943051287146502

Pokemon sometimes creates "illusions" of aspects like exploration and non-linearity. Things is they're just that.

Whether your route through an adventure overlaps on itself (Hoenn, Sinnoh, Kalos) or not (Unova, Alola), linear design is still linear.

The important thing is giving the player things off the beaten path. Diversions to maintain a sense of adventure and scope. So when you get straightforward routes and caves like we see in a lot of SwSh, that illusion falls away.

This isn't me saying SwSh is bad, I think they were good! Just that Galar is one of the series' weaker regions at a gameplay/progression level.

I also agree with the sentiment of Pokemon feeling dated (again, not so strongly).

SwSh has so many QoL changes but they've come so LATE in the series' life that some people have gotten used to the archaic aspects and are mad at them for changing.

I don't think Pokemon needs to "reinvent itself" per say, just play to its strengths and build on them.

I think BW and SM are among the series' best entries for that exact reason, they play to the strengths of Pokemon as games, and build on them with strong stories.

Now for something I've said countless times:

SwSh show a clear ambition to be more, but were held back back by the team not having a strong grasp on the tech, and LGPE are a much more polished visual experience.

Combine the two, and I really think Gen 9 will be amazing.