Why Random Encounters in Pokemon Need Changing (Part 2)

In Part 1 of Why Random Encounters in Pokemon Need Changing, I covered, well, why they need changing. Consider Part 2 a bonus, then: listed below are my suggestions and conjectures for how exactly random encounters can be improved, as evidence that I'm not just blowing hot air. Remember to add your own ideas and thoughts as well.
    In addition to covering how we could discover wild Pokemon, I've also included thoughts on making the wilderness more challenging and how to increase player interest in catching Pokemon just so all my sides are covered. Enjoy, and add a few suggestions of your own.

Why Random Encounters in Pokemon Need Changing (Part 1)

The term "random encounter" in the context of role-playing games essentially means what it says: a moment when you encounter an enemy by random chance. This has been classic RPG formula for years, although that norm slowly seems to be changing. Wander off the beaten path or into hostile territory, and you're liable to be stopped by force and made to battle an enemy you couldn't see on the map.
    As previously mentioned, many RPG franchises are moving onto different methods for encountering baddies, such as touching enemies as they visibly roam the world to initiate a separate battle. One franchise that has yet to move from random encounters, however, is Pokemon, our beloved series founded in 1996 whose first set of games was known as Red and Green instead of Red and Blue as we know them internationally. Straying into tall grass or enclosed areas like caves and forests in these games puts you under content threat of attack by wild Pokemon. You may take three steps, you may take thirteen, but you will eventually be stopped and made to acknowledge that Spearow does, in fact, exist.

Scary Moments in Resident Evil 4

The Resident Evil series has become a bit of a controversy in recent years. RE6 met with mixed reception, and having watched a playthrough of the whole thing, I can see how it might pull more from Gears of War than it does classic Resident Evil. (Actually, the play-style of Gears of War was inspired by the over-the-shoulder setup of Resident Evil 4, so it's like coming full circle.) Many old RE fans are saying the series is losing its luster, and perhaps that's true. The genre is classified as "survival horror," but with plenty of resources and too few scares, neither of those words may be correct.
    In truth, the most I've played of Resident Evil has been half of 5, the demo of Revelations, and recently, all of Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition. Yeah, I'm a late bloomer. Most of the PlayStation games we owned were the old crappy ones nobody knows about. Metal Gear Solid? Final Fantasy VII? No, say hello to Sorcerer's Maze and Roadsters. Never heard of them? I didn't think so.
    RE4 is the first full Resident Evil game I've played, and I've been impressed with it. One thing that struck me while playing is that, in spite of its more action-oriented approach, the game is still downright terrifying at parts. These moments didn't constitute the entire game, but they made me aware that RE games can still use action-based, intuitive control schemes and be scary.

Game Poll Second Update

The official second wave of Game Poll content is here, so be sure to give it a look and remember that article comments can only be posted here; polls have their own built-in comment systems and discussion pieces have comment boxes below them.

Anticipation for the Wii U

As many of you are probably aware, Nintendo's newest home console, the Wii U, is due to hit the market November 18th of this year. There's been a lot of hype and speculation over this alien artifact, but the time when all will be revealed is close approaching. Some have called it the Wii with a tablet, while others have called it a revolution (pun intended for the Nintendo-savvy) for the gaming industry.
    This article is merely my feelings on the Wii U, including what I'm looking forward to and what I'm leery about. I'll naturally want to know your views on it as well, so feel free to click the Comment button below the article when you're done.

Game Poll Intro Content

Game Poll already has fifteen poll questions, three articles, and three discussion pieces for you to chew on while waiting for the next update. The only features with no direct commenting option are the articles, in which you'll currently need to leave comments on this post in order to share your opinion. Be sure to give them a look!