(this commentary is pretty much entirely spoiler-free IMO)
In my experience spending my whole evening playing, the tutorial section of the game felt natural and smooth - unlike, for example, the way Sun and Moon felt, my biggest complaint about Alola - and the story tentatively feels vastly improved over virtually every other Pokémon title. I don’t even know who the antagonist is yet because the game doesn’t give that information up as readily and obviously as Sword and Shield did, but every single bit of dialogue is better, the flow is better, and the player being treated as an active agent rather than a passive observer makes a universe of difference. The cast feels more lively and present, the setting is just plain better, the lore and nuance of the world feels more fleshed out - everything is improved by a lot. Again, I’m not super far, but I’m already feeling like this will at a minimum give BW and SM a run for their money in the story department.
I have to be honest - I don’t get the idea that the landscapes are “empty.” What else are we looking for in a Pokémon game’s overworld besides collecting items, battling, and catching Pokémon? The added benefit of there being boss Pokémon is nice, too. Is it just that people want more trainers or something?
I’m sure plenty of people will disagree with how I feel and that’s great, to each their own, but roughly five hours of this game has honestly been more enjoyable so far than my
cumulative experiences with everything Game Freak has done since HeartGold and SoulSilver, with the possible exceptions of SM and ORAS (but definitely nothing else). Maybe that says something about my relationship with the series personally, I don’t know.
I’ve got dozens more hours ahead before I’m anywhere near done with the main story alone, but it really seems like this is the Pokémon game I’ve always wanted. I couldn’t be more happy right now.