Pokemon HD-2D are the Red & Blue remakes you need to play
At this stage, Pokemon remakes are performing just as well as the brand-new games, and it's no surprise to those who have been around in the game's communities for some time.
Everyone has their favourite generation, and that mostly correlates to the generations that fans played when they were kids. As a result, Nintendo proving that remakes are in its wheelhouse has opened the can of worms of players begging for remakes of their favourite games.
There have been differing degrees of success, but there's one approach that looks like it could please everyone.
Fan creates HD-2D Pokemon Red & Blue
The differing visual styles of the Pokemon remakes have been something of a controversy, with the chibi aesthetic of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl catching the titles a lot of flack as the company tries to tread the line of 2D and 3D - but it looks like one fan's ingenuity has solved the problem.
Creating a game mod that is based on the stylings of Octopath Traveller and Triangle Strategy, YouTube user Dott has shared a short demo video of Pallet Town designed in a HD-2D style (thanks Kotaku).
The short demo doesn't show off an awful lot, but damn, it does look good. Alongside stunning lighting effects and fantastic simple animations, it puts BD and SP to shame while leaving us yearning for a visit to Red & Blue.
Why doesn't Pokemon adopt the HD-2D style?
Click to enlargeWe imagine there'd be some problems to iron out with Square Enix over replicating Octopath Traveller's visual style, but there's no doubt that a game designed in this style would be massively successful among fans.
The classic Pokemon games are severely neglected right now, and with the closure of 3DS and Wii U stores, they have largely been locked out of play for many. There's still no word on whether these firm favourites will make it onto the Switch or mobile, but that doesn't mean we're getting Red & Blue remakes.
The Pokemon Company has been fairly flippant when it comes to art styles in remakes, so if the introduction of HD-2D could prove that there's something that will please everyone, then all the better. Let's just hope the cast of Octopath Pokemon isn't as annoying. Sorry.
