What do you like about LGPE?
I was not initially sold on the the Let's Go games, but multiple live streams and being able to see the game played firsthand by one of my friends was enough to change my mind. Needless to say, after so many test drives, I certainly liked what I saw enough to get my own copy of Let's Go Eevee.
I absolutely love the overworld graphics, and I am very hopeful that the next Gen VIII game continues in this style. Seeing all of the Pokemon walking around and even next to the NPC trainers with much more expression than before is a huge plus.
Speaking of Pokemon wandering around: I know that this was mostly to mimic the Pokemon GO encounter system, but I really, really, want this wild Pokemon encounter method to stay. Being able to wander around and physically look for the Pokemon I wanted is infinitely preferable to having to actually enter every encounter and then wait to see if I found that stinkin' Pinsir. It also makes chaining together combos much easier. Speaking of which...
Catch combos improved upon everything I liked about SOS battles in Sun/Moon while managing to make the RNG aspect less annoying. Sure, I still had to actually look for the Pinsir, and I admittedly got mildly annoyed when more Chansey were appearing than Pinsir, but I still found it preferable to actually battling 30 Pokemon in a row while making sure to always keep one alive until a good IV/good nature/shiny/rare Pokemon appeared. Unlike SOS battles, which end as soon as both wild Pokemon are defeated, catch combos persist until you either catch a different species or any wild Pokemon runs from you (running from it doesn't break the combo), which allows for intermissions of trainer battles, going to the Pokemart to restock, or even flying to a different area altogether. Also another neat feature that I discovered: You can carry an active catch combo with you to any other area to boost the rare spawn of that area. For instance, I could combo Pidgey on route 1 and then fly over to the Rock Tunnel, where I'd see Charmander running around as if I had been chaining a combo on Geodude there. Very handy for making those rares appear.
On another note related to catch combos: The PC box as an inventory item came very much in handy for being able to check the IVs and nature of each Pokemon right after I caught it, instead of having to break the chain or use some roundabout method just to hope that I got what I wanted. Also, Madame Celadon in the Celadon City Pokecenter is a very welcome addition in a game without breeding. Also fun fact: You can pay her multiple times per day (since it resets at midnight, system time) to, for instance, get a bold Slowpoke and then a jolly Aerodactyl. Oh yeah, and did I mention that you can get the IV checker after just your 3rd badge? I could plan my story team and my competitive team at the same time, which is a huge plus from me.
Something interesting that I want to try out is that it seems like, due largely to the absence of HMs and their gym badge requirement, it may be possible to do most of the gyms out-of-order, even potentially skipping gyms entirely. Obviously you have to fight the gym leaders at some point if you actually want to become Champion, but I did manage to do a large part of the mid-game out-of-order: after defeating Team Rocket at Silph Co., I skipped on down to Fuchsia City, got Sea Skim, went through the Seafoam Islands to Cinnabar Island, flew to Saffron City, fought Sabrina for badge #6, then flew back to Fuchsia City and defeated Koga for badge #5. This made me wonder how far I could actually progress without getting any badges. If I ever do get Let's Go Pikachu, I will be very tempted to try this out.
Oh, and since I mentioned Sea Skim: It looks like HMs are gone for good, and I couldn't be happier. Secret techniques that only your Partner Pokemon can learn is also a nice touch, and adds a little personality to the functional-but-boring ride Pokemon from Sun/Moon.
I don't have a good segue to transition to this one, but follower Pokemon: They finally return, and they do not disappoint in the slightest. They did such a good job giving all sorts of little bits of flair and personality to the followers, and I really hope this is here to stay. Even better is that when certain Pokemon follow you, you actually ride on them, which is just excellent. Aside from the obvious ones like Lapras for surfing or Arcanine for riding, there are some rather hilarious ones: If you have a Snorlax out, you just cling to its belly as it waddles around the world. Also give Onix a try. Seeing the world from atop a 30' rock snake is certainly something. (I do wish there were more surfing/flying mounts, though, but I won't complain too much about that)
Moving right along to other details that I picked up on:
I liked the increased appearances of Jessie and James, along with their gratuitous use of "twerp" as an insult.
The ghosts in the Pokemon tower were very well done, IMO. (except that one of the "ghosts" turned into a Zubat when I used the Silph scope...)
Coach trainers are a nice way to challenge yourself and get rewarded (either with boosting candy or TMs), and even see the TM in action before you earn it.
The new gym designs were neat. I do like the crowds watching from the stands, but I also can't help but wonder what they do for the rest of the time when the only 2 challengers of the Pokemon League are literally anywhere else...
