One of the best things about Pokémon imo is the music. Most generations, they hit it out of the park, even if the gameplay is similar. Sometimes people are so used to the formula that it's hard to have it change. (This is reminding me I need to continue Legends Arceus.) For the record, I was so disappointed by Pokémon Sun due to it being closer to a movie than a game that I ditched the franchise until Legends Arceus and S/V.

However, I think we need to be doing better to recommend alternatives to Pokémon If so many people are dissatisfied with the direction of the franchise. Whenever I search Pokémon alternatives, I get listicles of Pokémon games or maybe romhacks. What about other RPGs somewhat similar to Pokémon but different? The only close thing I've actually played was Fossil Fighters Frontier, and that was because a friend already was playing games in that series.