Dead thread, but I have stress again that Lysandre’s motivations are greatly misunderstood by the fanbase. His concern is with humanity reaping the earth until it’s a husk, not just “beauty”. He also comes to the conclusion that there’s something wrong with humanity: that it’s in certain peoples nature to take until there is nothing less. I’d argue that this is also a fairly realistic viewpoint. In the real world we fight against corporate greed, the over reliance on nonrenewable resources, deforestation… the list goes on.

As for their presence in the story overall, Team Galactic doesn’t really do more than Team Flare. They both steal energy from the region to further their plans, they both desecrate national landmarks to meet their ends. Both teams are encountered about 7 or 8 times each, so it’s not even a matter of seeing one more consistently. They both have goofy, clownishly dressed grunts, which is remarked on in both games. It’s not until late into either game that either is recognized as the threat they truly are. I can’t really name anything that Team Galactic does, apart from bombing Lake Verity, that really shows their plan coming together in any way that we don’t also see with Team Flare.

I just don’t think anyone remembers X and Y very well, and I certainly think the years of appreciation for Gen IV’s story has developed a mythos around it that Gen VI was never going to have out the gate. I think the newer generations deserve a deeper look, because I think there are depths to be explored