it snew

[back of the box blurb voice] Gather up the Zero Crew, hop on Miraidon, and train up new teams together in the misty valleys of Orgul, where one of the toughest Pokemon Leagues yet has taken form. Unexpected encounters hide around every corner, but you'll have plenty of time around the fire to reflect and plan your next move on a journey where your only home is each other.

Can't say much yet because I do love surprises, but the features I've planned out include:

A full-length adventure with 8 Gyms and whatnot

A return to dangerous dungeons with top-down puzzle design

A healthy balance of freedom to explore and structured progression

250+ Pokemon dex carefully chosen and individually rebalanced

Heavy emphasis on character stories; button-mashers will be shot

Adventure, chat, battle, and relax with the crew just about anywhere

Dozens of emotive dialogue portraits so you know how they feel

Custom GSC-era art and tilesets, as you probably noticed

The best 8-bit music I can borrow (maybe I'll make some too)

Modern mechanics, including Terastallization and improved Raids

A level cap per badge; learning will get you further than grinding

Gyms that ask you to counter their playstyles, not just their types

Tons of new or redesigned moves and items, available through...

A crafting system that actually exists for a reason (gasp)

A tastefully small handful of familiar faces from other regions

Trauma

Cuddling

Hope

A creator who knows what scope creep is

There still has to be an endless lv100 postgame though, for me

Basically any mindless task has a more engaging alternative

I'm not gonna give a concrete release date -- it'll be done when it's done. Right now i'm just flitting around doing what I can with art, maps, design, story, etc. while I wait for some of the uncertainty about the next Essentials GSC engine update to settle down. Worst case scenario, I'd have to make it look and sound retro by myself more than I planned to.