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5th Gen Basing 'Unova' on New York [ #6 ]

Was it a good idea?


  • Total voters
    135
  • 2,334
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    • Age 33
    • Seen Aug 21, 2021
    I really like the fact that it's based outside of Japan for once, I think it shows that they really respect that pokemon has fans outside of Japan and that it's a worldwide thing.

    People might say, why New York....but why not? The USA would have to be a big candidate for a game based outside japan. It is one of the most recognised countries in the world after all.

    I'd love if they did Europe after this (preferably Ireland...where I live, The uk and maybe France and a few of the mainland countries) I don't think it will happen though....they're more likely to go back to japan or continue using american places. In fact, the only chance Ireland has is that it's very close to the UK.....so if there was a region based on the uk...Ireland could probably be added to make up the landmass.
     

    OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire

    10000 year Emperor of Hoenn
  • 17,521
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    Feels strange how it's based on NY, yet includes Raijin/Fuujin, cherry blossoms in spring etc...

    If they were going to do America, make it like America. Add a cheeseburger or two.
    That makes it odd for me too also the fact that Isshu is part of the same "Nation" as the other 4 regions...do any of you noticed that they don't have an International dex instead of a National dex?
     

    Musician of Literature

    La musica es la fuerza...
  • 390
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    Yeah, basing this on new york was awesome! New York is the bomb. Perfect blend of nature and modern life.

    Next, they should base it off Greece (ancient Greece) or Espana (Spain)
     

    GlalieX

    Ruler of Illusion
  • 138
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    • Seen Oct 2, 2012
    Absolutely. I'm not the biggest fan of New York in real life, but extending the location outside of Japan really allows for new gameplay elements.
     
  • 10,769
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    Feels strange how it's based on NY, yet includes Raijin/Fuujin, cherry blossoms in spring etc...
    And you can battle salarymen (salarymans?) and OLs.

    This is why I like that it's been based on part of America: there's still so much of a Japanese feel to it. It makes me wonder how much they intentionally kept Japanese elements over American ones and how much they may have not noticed there was a difference. They certainly branched out a lot more with these games in terms of making them more representative of people and places outside Japan, but it's still amusing that the champion of the 'American' region looks like he belongs in medieval Japan.
     

    Lumière

    Harmony
  • 16
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    13
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    I really like the fact that Isshu is based on New York because it's close to where I live and makes me imagine pokemon right outside of my house. :D I literally got lost in Hiun just like the time I almost got lost in NY. Like others have mentioned, I would like to see regions based on other places too. I hope Spain is next. I can just imagine battling a trainer dressed in Flamenco.
     

    Zelda

    ⍃⍍⍄ ⍃⍍⍄
  • 4,842
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    • Age 8
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    I am quite happy that Isshu is based off of New York seeing as I was born there. Isshu is my favorite region after all, so this made it all the more remarkable. n_n

    I have no say as to whether or not it fits New York to the fullest, but from the screenshots and gameplay that I've seen, the cities fit the description just fine. Agreed on Hiun City, being a big city and all it probably has the most New York suiting look out of all the cities in the game.

    So my vote goes towards the "I love that it is based on a location outside of Japan", as I do. Especially with the fact that I've been around New York, being born there and all, I'm glad GameFreak decided to choose this state for Isshu.
     

    The Corrupt Plague

    Missingno. hunter
  • 785
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    I love it because from what I have seen, they were able to pull it off very nicely. Also a quick little note: It's been done before in Colosseum and XD with the Orre region, which I think is based off of Arizona. Yes, it's true that those two games were not made by Nintendo, but they did get the big stamp of approval and that counts too in my opinion. Oh, what am I saying, I'm starting to ramble. My point is that it's a good thing because no matter where it's based off of, it still manages to be a great region.
     
  • 10,674
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    • Seen May 19, 2024
    From the aesthetic perspective, it it nice to see some variation and diversity in Isshu as opposed to maintaining the strict contrapuntal imitation of latter regions as the previous games have endured, as each were based on Japan and each held similar likeness. At any rate, it's a positive thing, I just wonder why it was based on New York, I would much rather it was based on an area which held more picturesque scenes. New York is a stunning city, but that's just it, it's a city. There's only so much you can base off a bustling, sky scraper based region. I would love a region based on the country side of China.

    As far as Isshu goes, I wasn't overly impressed. I liked the idea of the cities, and that the city was rather large and more like reality, as it includes suburbs and such. Isshu does actually look like a more realistic region than the previous one's we've seen, however we do not play Pokémon for realism. I just feel that this type of thing has been done before, in pretty famous games. Every time I go to Huin City it just reminds of The World Ends With You as the scenes are quite alike, though based on different cities of course.

    All in all I think it is a positive thing that Gamefreak opted to base their region on New York, and decided to divulge into something that was that bit more different, however I do think that their choice of city could have been more suiting to the games. I suppose they wanted to give something back to the American fans who held such a fan base, and New York was probably the most recognizable area, however, in hindsight I wish they had chosen somewhere more appealing for a Pokémon game.
     

    Giratina ♀

    what's your sign?
  • 1,439
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    I'm not complaining, considering I live just a state away from New York and love both the city and state to smithereens. XD Definitely looking forward to exploring that Region, particularly because if there are any areas based off of New York State... well, there might be an area based off of New Jersey too. WOOT. (Who else wants to go into a forest and catch the Jersey Devil in a Pokéball? XD)
     

    Guy

    just a guy
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    Needs more Florida
    I'm with you on that one, gurl!

    Pokémon is Pokémon regardless of where it's based upon. It's a new region to travel in and that's all good and mighty enough for me. I find it as a nice change they decided to place the origin of the new region outside of Japan, but it isn't something that's actually going to change what Pokémon is. I give props to GameFreak for exploring outside their comfort zone though.
     

    TCB

    Tranquilo.
  • 565
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    I too agree that it's about time they have the setting of their new games somewhere not around the region of Japan. When I first saw the Isshu region map, I already knew that at least Hiun City was based after New York City (specifically Lower Manhattan for those who know), so I knew Isshu was based on the United States of America to some extent. That also makes me wonder... maybe Game Freak could focus on other areas of the globe for possible future installments, like areas of Europe...maybe even parts of Africa?
     

    ~Wind~

    Detective
  • 383
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    I think it's good they made it somewhere other than japan, but i hope they base it somewhere other than america next gen.
     

    Ho-Oh

    used Sacred Fire!
  • 35,992
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    I was gunna reply to this earlier but then I never got to!

    I think it's a great idea; it allows so much change in the games, like the battle subway, due to being based on another country. Plus from what I've seen, it has taken the best parts (aka most known ones) from a real location other than Japan and combined that with Pokemon, which is awesome imo.~

    Unsticky tiemz.
     

    Nakuzami

    [img]https://i.imgur.com/iwlpePA.png[/img]
  • 6,896
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    I love the idea(not just because I live in NY state) it's nice having it based on a different place(especially one that i'm so close to) plus it gives the games more flexibility, and makes it more fun. Plus, without it being based on a place like NY, it would be a little harder to fit in their uber epic storyline they made. Plus it gave the games their first black person XD Plus I keep saying plus.
     

    PiPVoda

    water, Forever
  • 1,306
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    • Seen Dec 2, 2022
    Well exploring into different regions is always a good idea, in my opinion. When I first saw the Isshu map I thought that having it based off of NYC would limit gameplay (it looked small at first).
    Still....I was hoping that Isshu would have been modeled after Korea...but I like NYC-based Isshu too. :D It's something new, and hopefully this entices GF to explore other regions of the world in future gens.
     

    ~*!*~Tatsujin Gosuto~*!*~

    Buffalo State College
  • 12,049
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    I love the fact that its based on New York because right now I'm going to college in New York in Buffalo and my hometown is New York City, so I'm really looking forward to actually seeing the resemblance of it


    :t354:TG
     

    Meduza

    Majestic Dawn
  • 392
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    • Seen Jul 8, 2014
    I wish they didn't base it off a place besides Japan.

    I liked the fact taht the previous regions were in Japan.

    Isshu just ruins the pattern.
     

    King Gumball

    Haven't been here for ages...
  • 2,179
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    I wish they didn't base it off a place besides Japan.

    I liked the fact taht the previous regions were in Japan.

    Isshu just ruins the pattern.


    I think htere are enough regions based in such a little country though XD Especially since in game there is evidence that there are regions in other countries (Lt Surge is from the Unova region :) ) Hopefully it will start a new tradition, and there will be more regions based in different countries.
     
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