If you're ever looking to get into Pokemon again, or just receptive to recs, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is fantastic. Legitimately my favorite modern Pokemon title. It's mostly Gen IV Pokemon with a few others for flavor, but those are generally variants, anyway, so not knowing them backwards and forwards isn't a big deal, and there are some major mechanical changes that really spice things up. I had a wonderful time with it, at least, and feel like it would suit you well, too!
Yeah it seems the logical spot to get myself back in.
Last few generations I've played to the first or second gym and stopped. I think it's partially I no longer have the brand of free time that I used to play during (lunch breaks and the bus to and from work) so it doesn't fit into my routine right? but also I just keep getting bored around that point. None of the Pokémon designs grab me, none of the characters grab me, and in everything past gen 5 but Violet I felt like i was just on a scripted ride for the first 3+ hours with no gameplay choices.
So a game that's a bit different might be what I need



















