I sincerely and thoroughly do not care how much this game cut out in relation to the Gen 2 games, as far as I'm concerned that's just proof Pokemon games should've stayed self-contained experiences, cause this is one of the best glow-ups in the whole series. Like imagine if every Pokemon was allowed to get away with All Of This.

It has so much to get attached to. Team building is more fun than ever, double battles are a neat distraction, contests aren't half bad, and of course kid-me was addicted to spiffing up my secret base. This series worrying about being backwards compatible forever is one of the things holding it back and this game is proof.