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!
6. Selfies
I have played The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker like a dozen times on the GameCube, but nothing pleased me more than replaying it on the Wii U in HD. Perhaps the greatest new feature in the game was the ability to take selfies! Don’t get me wrong, I hate real-life selfie takers more than the next guy, but selfies in a video game bring awesomeness to a whole new level. Adding selfies to Pokemon Snap adds a personal touch to picture taking that says, “Hey look how great my video game life really is!”
Much like Windwaker, there needs to be a wide selection of different facial expressions to make; and maybe even the ability for some character customization. Most importantly, who doesn’t want to take a selfie as a rage-filled Taurus charges towards us ready to tackle the living daylights out of us?
7. Photo Editor
It’s hard to imagine a modern day photographer not using some type of photo editing software. Why not have basic editing features in Pokemon Snap 2? Obviously, this does not have to be Photoshop quality software, but it would be nice if we were given some freedom of creativity. Whether it’s light filters, black and white effects, x-ray effects, or simply dressing up your pictures with fake mustaches; editing your own pictures would allow hundreds of extra hours worth of replay value.
8. Vine Clips
A great new addition that would revolutionize the Pokemon Snap world would be the ability to take short “Vine” clips. I can understand not including full-length videos, because of the limited amount of memory the system could handle. Short 7-10 second videos would add a new level of moment capturing to the game, and could add for some much more challenging tasks.
Bring it on Professor Oak!
9. Miiverse
Miiverse in one of the highlighting features of the Nintendo Wii U. It is a great way for players to share their progress and opinions with other players from all over the world. Pokemon Snap 2 ABSOLUTELY must allow you to post your prized pictures in this online community. With variations in the daylight, random Pokemon encounters, fully explorable environments, and a toolbox of editing abilities; Pokemon Snap 2 could provide us with the single, most interesting Miiverse community.
10. Online Features
The number one focus on Pokemon Snap 2 should be content, lots and lots of quality content. Show us that you can make a great Pokemon game that’s not a mainstream handheld version. If Nintendo and Gamefreak aren’t ready to put open-world RPG versions of Pokemon on consoles, at least give us something equally as satisfying. Keeping things fresh encourages players to come back day after day, even after completing the main story of the game.
Give us daily, weekly, or monthly opportunities to vote for our favorite user pictures. Host tournament-styled contests, each with its unique theme (for example, a haunted theme)! We could even have leaderboards for users with the most Miiverse “Yeahs”, most total points earned, or most points earned for each level. Let’s make this game competitive, so that I want to pick up this game 3 years down the road just to win one more weekly contest.
Whether you have played the original Pokemon Snap game or not, it is hard to argue that a Pokemon photography game would not be fun. Leave a comment and let us know what features you would want to see if Pokemon Snap 2 was revealed at this year’s E3.
