The Pokemon franchise has been around for quite some time. In fact, this year is its 25th anniversary. When Pokemon Red and Green launched back in 1996, the games prominently featured pixel art, much like other Nintendo titles at the time. However, this trend ceased with the release of Pokemon X and Y, though it had slowly phased out the use of 2D art starting with Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, which showcased a mix of 3D graphics and sprites.
In more recent years, the Pokemon franchise has been dabbling with a number of different art styles. Perhaps those of Pokemon GO are the most iconic, while Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl exhibit chibi characters, emulating the same feel of the original pair while modernizing them somewhat. Pokemon Legends: Arceus, might be some of the most impressive graphics, taking inspiration from Breath of the Wild. Still, many fans miss the old days of pixel art and Game Boy graphics that the franchise started out with. But when it comes to visual modernization and nostalgic sprites, Octopath Traveler has managed to satisfy both of these requirements in a stunning fashion.
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There aren't too many titles out there with the same visual style, making Octopath Traveler the spearheading game with HD-2D graphics. But due to its impressive reception, Square Enix decided to make more games with HD-2D graphics, including Project Triangle Strategy, supposedly a work-in-progress name.
During Octopath's development process, many factors were considered in order to perfect this aesthetic while maintaining a modern look, including depth, clarity, saturation, resolution, and the photorealistic qualities of some specific elements like water. It stems from the design of older JRPG titles like the early Final Fantasy games. Sprites retain the same quality that some gamers refer to as "8-bit" or "16-bit," as do some elements like grass and the textures of surfaces. However, mixing this with 3D backdrops, particles, and light rays breaths new life into that beloved style of the 90s. Modernized menus, animated text, and smooth magic aid in this visual design as well.
When Game Freak decided to maintain some 2D graphics after Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, it was met with some criticism. Ever since, fans have felt that the franchise has fallen behind graphically, which could be why so many Pokemon titles are playing with various art styles. With the technological limitations of the 3DS, there were many complaints about the way 3D was implemented in Pokemon Sun and Moon, and it wasn't until Sword and Shield on the Switch that the mainline games were able to catch up.
Interestingly, however, many players are now wishing to see the franchise go "backward" instead of forward. However, based on the work Octopath Traveler, it could be possible to meet both of these requests in the middle. While the chibi animations of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl may have their own charm to them, it's obvious to long-time Pokemon fans that the franchise has held back in seemingly unnecessary ways, whether it being with graphics or gameplay. Perhaps whatever mainline games come after the remakes is The Pokemon Company's chance to dabble with HD-2D graphics.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl release on November 19, 2021 for Nintendo Switch.
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