I think it might be a combination of all three reasons! But I'd add a fourth, which is that, as you write, the franchise had "stagnated". When my 7 year old nephew excitably updates me on developments in the world of Pokemon, I'm mainly struck by how little has actually updated. That said, your enthusiasm is intriguing, the parallels to Breath of the Wild, too. Still think I'll pass, but I confess: if I played, I'd probably enjoy it.
Btw - is Pokemon and Chill your version of Netflix and Chill? "We played it exclusively in handheld mode on the sofa." Ooof, tone down that smut Tao.
I think it might be a combination of all three reasons! But I'd add a fourth, which is that, as you write, the franchise had "stagnated". When my 7 year old nephew excitably updates me on developments in the world of Pokemon, I'm mainly struck by how little has actually updated. That said, your enthusiasm is intriguing, the parallels to Breath of the Wild, too. Still think I'll pass, but I confess: if I played, I'd probably enjoy it.
Btw - is Pokemon and Chill your version of Netflix and Chill? "We played it exclusively in handheld mode on the sofa." Ooof, tone down that smut Tao.