Care to post that comparison? I would like to see it.
I have STRONNNNNGGG feeling that Trials being implementented had alot less to do with Game Freak wanting to try something new and more to do with the change being made to accommodate the new direction the Anime was heading with it's gag style school setting so the gameplay portion of the Trial was an afterthought.
No, I disagree. I don't think the anime or movies have any influence over the games. I think Joe/Serebii has posted about this before.
I believe trials were simply introduced to shake it up, but I found them way too easy. With Pokemon Gyms, you had to battle through the Gym grunts, then a Gym Leader with 3-4 Pokemon that includes a strong, signature Pokemon. In the trials, you face a couple single Pokemon and a strong Pokemon... hardly a challenge. Fortunately, I think trials will be exclusive to Gen 7.
It will be very disappointing if Game Freak releases new UBs and neglects to release any new "normal" Pokemon and Alolan forms, which I have warmed up to.
Black/White really spoiled us with the 150+ new Pokemon. I hope we get around the same amount in Gen 8.