Hmm Pokémon hasn't included the full Pokédex for a long time now. Not even since Pokémon X and Y in 2013 and I don't think even Black and White before then. Only Pokémon Home does it but its just a storage hub. It would be cool to see a big open world with all the 1000+ Pokémon- then it wouldn't be so empty lol

It's the danger with size of an open world: trying to pack as much in as possible. The opposite extreme of this is having loads of empty space that FF15 suffers from and pretty but useless 'doll houses' that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet suffered from.

Not everything related to side quest is completely compulsary so it's still possible to enjoy the main story line without being totally sidetracked. That being said though- at times the Summons quest could become necessary to get us out of a tight spot if we're being overpowered by a tough fight.

Maybe there ought to have been more incentive to explore and especially for side quests- like being given better stat boosts, hold more equipment/stronger weapons that Zelda does so brilliantly. But hang on- what about FF7s unique selling point- getting access to better materia through the mind numbing side quests.(Not just through Chadley's dogsbody chores) Definitely something that needs to be brushed up on.

Hmm seems a bit hypocritical for Martin to make this kind of permadeath comment about a major character who helps to turn the tide. In the movies we were left to think Gandalf really did die in the fall and hope was fading, only for Gandalf to cone back as a beacon on hope. Two words: Jon Snow- he was resurrected to help turn the tide as Martin's own Galdalf figure of some sorts so his criticism is kind of contradictory in a way.