With E3 2014 on the horizon, we are filled with wonder and speculations as we anticipate what new games will be revealed. One such game, Pokemon Snap 2, has a devoted fan base that annually demands a sequel. It’s time we revisited the world of Pokemon photography; but first let’s explore what would make this game awesome.
1. More Pokemon
Okay, let’s point out the obvious here–Every player of the original Pokemon Snap asked the same question, “Wait, was that it?” After an amazing few hours, fans were disappointingly shocked to find only 63 of the original 151 Pokemon appeared in the game. Now that we have 700+ Pokemon in our library, let’s have representation from all 6 current generations. With a wide selection of monsters to choose from, let’s add in a huge number of Pokemon to snap pictures of…like 200-300!
Gotta snap ’em all!
2. More Levels
With the expanded number of Pokemon in the game, we need way more levels for them to occupy. The original Pokemon Snap has a 6 levels and 1 bonus level. The levels were fun, and required several replays to advance; hopefully we will get a much larger selection in the sequel.
The original game had very generic levels that all existed on a small “Pokemon Island”. Next time around, Professor Oak should send us on airplane trips around the many Pokemon regions we’ve already seen in games. Imagine returning to Mt. Moon, the S.S. Anne, the Safari Zone, the MooMoo Farm, the Great Marsh, Snowpoint City, and Victory Road. Many of the Pokemon we know and love from these territories would finally be given realistic encounters in their natural habitats. The levels could also have interactive environments with rocks you could climb, oceans you could swim in, and Pokemon trainer battles to spectate.
3. Get off the tracks
One of the biggest complaints in Pokemon Snap was the fixation to the Zero-One tracks. It was understandable on the N64 hardware, but with today’s technology it should be no problem rendering a large, explorable area. The tracks in the original game acted as a tool for level progression and as an obstacle that pressured you to manage your time. A great portion of this challenge can be fixed by adding level time limits and retaining the conservative amount of film you have.
Another challenge of keeping players advancing could be prevented by adding walking trails in certain areas blocked by natural barriers. This would limit some explorability, but would still offer enough freedom to maneuver around. The ability to walk amongst wild Pokemon could offer for unique experiences with dangerous, aggressive Pokemon. A risk would come with such encounters, but they would also offer enough incentive. For example, players would have to decide how close to could get to a protective Khangaskhan and her babies. This could mean a great picture…or a trip to the hospital.
Maybe even some levels would not be ground based, but blimp, boat, or underwater levels. It’s time we see the Pokemon world as a real naturalist!
4. Variations
I remember waiting patiently for a Pikachu to run towards a Bulbasaur, so I could get more action points for my picture. The entire game is based off of these scripted moments where players know exactly when to get the best shot. What would be truly incredible is to feature Pokemon with artificial intelligence, and a chance for random encounters and events.
A photography simulator featuring rain and darkness would deprive us of the necessary elements needed to enjoy a picture taking game. What would be interesting, though, is the inclusion of ever-changing lighting conditions. As the sun rises and falls, many different lighting and shading possibilities come into play. These changing conditions would add many extra hours of replay value, and they would allow more serious photographers to strategically shoot at optimal conditions.
5. Motion Camera Capture
I would be awe struck if Pokemon Snap 2, whether on 3DS or Wii U, did not have motion camera capture. The basis for even having a sequel to Pokemon Snap (besides my obvious love for the first game) is that the 3DS and Wii U gamepad are perfect for a camera simulation game. Hell, they are both cameras anyways! You should have the ability to maneuver with normal button controls, and once in “snap mode”, you go into a stand-still view where you can aim the 3DS or gamepad like an actual camera. Obviously, some people are completely against motion controls, so offer standard analog stick movement as well. Now everybody’s happy!