- Primary Subject: Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves (Unreleased / 2027 Announcement Version)
- Key Update: The Gen 10 archipelago setting presents Game Freak with the ultimate opportunity to redefine open-world Pokémon through enterable buildings, barrier-free exploration, and multi-region travel.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: August 6, 2026
- Quick Answer: Pokémon Winds and Waves can achieve true open-world freedom by removing progression barriers, restoring enterable building interiors, and enabling seamless island-hopping across regions.
Pokemon fans from around the world are patiently waiting for 2027, as that is the year when the next installment in the series will finally be released for Nintendo Switch 2. The 10th-generation games, titled Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves, have everyone excited, and the reason is due to how they presented themselves.
When Nintendo launched a trailer to expose a bit of the gameplay to expect, what we were given was a taste of something that seemed fresh. Aside from being able to fly high in the skies or dive deep into the ocean for exploration, what's interesting is that it seems that the setting will take place in an archipelago. This means traveling to many different islands, resulting in lots of things to discover.
This gives the impression of an amazing open-world gaming experience, perhaps one that's better than Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's. Although that's where the direction is heading, it doesn't mean it will happen. It's a tough thing to do, but Game Freak and Nintendo should be able to do it, given how vocal fans have been with what they've been expecting.
But what it is that should happen so that Pokemon Winds and Waves really does provide a true open-world experience? Well, for starters, there should be a lot of enterable structures. Ever since Pokemon Sword and Shield and onwards, there haven't been that many buildings that we can enter. The problem got worse with every entry, with fewer places whose interiors you could gawk at.
Being able to enter different structures was one of the best things about Pokemon, even back when it wasn't open world. So, if Winds and Waves wants to make players feel like they're able to explore freely, then it needs to have as many of such buildings as possible.
Another thing the 10th-generation games must do to provide a true open-world experience is to remove barriers. Now, what does this mean? In most open-world games, some areas are designed only for late-game and end-game purposes, and developers usually place restrictions that ensure players aren't able to get there early.
Pokemon has done it as well, where in Scarlet and Violet, you can only enter areas with specific abilities from either your Miraidon or Koraidon, which can only be unlocked if you've progressed far enough into the story. Logically, it makes sense, as being able to go anywhere from the get-go would mean missing out on everything else the game has to offer. However, I believe that restriction destroys the idea of what an open world should be.
The point of the genre is to allow you, the player, freedom to go wherever you want. Even if you end up accessing places you aren't ready for and missing important plot points, at least you know that there really are no limits to your exploration, which can make the experience more fun and exciting.
Another cool thing about no barriers is that it allows for discovering different ways to beat the game. Because there are numerous possibilities, it encourages multiple playthroughs, which the open-world Pokemon games aren't very good at providing, and Winds and Waves have a chance to rectify.
Now, after all that has been said, there's one more thing the 10th-generation entry can do to really provide the open-world experience that everyone wants. It's great that the game allows us to travel around different islands at our leisure, but what would be even better is if it lets us visit another region.
Throughout the entirety of the series, the only time we were given that ability was during Pokemon Gold and Silver. It was something that blew many players' minds, and the fact that it was done during the 2D era made it more impressive. Now, imagine that, but in an open-world setting, and you have the makings of something great.
I understand that it would be very difficult, given that cramming one or two extra regions into a single game would lead to a development cycle that could lead to complications. However, I feel like it would be worth the trouble, as it could lead to an experience that's even better than what the 2nd generation provided.
Because imagine surfing through the seas or flying through the skies of Pokemon Winds and Waves' region, and then finding out you've traveled far enough to reach the coasts of Alola. A moment like that would be jaw-dropping, and it would also help establish that the 10th-generation game really is an open-world that lets you go anywhere.
There's a good chance that Nintendo and Game Freak really did include everything I'm hoping for Pokemon Winds and Waves. Even if it's just one of them, that would be enough to give the open-world experience fans would want, but we'll have to wait and see if they do.
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