I have many questions, as someone who hasn't played since Black and White, and hasn't played extensively since G/S/C. But, since picking up Pokemon Go in January, I'm cautiously interested in getting back into the 'main' games again. So, to catch me up, and to help me find the "right" game to pick up, I have the following questions!

Where to get started (again): Basically, what's the newest title I should be getting into, how far backwards-compatible is it (if at all), and how close are we to a new one? For that matter, is there cross-platform compatibility I should be paying attention to? Are we on the Switch now, or are we still doing the 3DS thing? Is there anything at all for PC?

Plot: Is there an overarching story that I should really be catching up on? The GB/GBC titles were really plot-light, but I don't know if the story started taking itself more seriously since then. If it did, I'm curious to know, so I can decide for myself whether I want to play through the intervening titles.

Mechanics: I heard some revisions were made to core mechanics as time went on. Things like Attack and Special Attack no longer being linked to type, but to technique (A Fire Punch is Attack but a Flamethrower is Special). What about EVs and IVs? And Natures? Are those still a thing to fuss over while trying to hatch the perfect egg and raise a mon tweaked to my liking, or can we be more relaxed in what and where we grind? I found it extremely off-putting to have to remember not to fight too many of X lest I waste EVs on useless stats, or on overflow between one stat point to the next.

Is there perhaps a place where the various version differences are tabulated so I know what I'm getting into?

Community activity: I assume there's an online component to a lot of these games now, yes? Complete with trading and battling and such, and perhaps organized competitions or cooperation?

I know this might all seem scattered and random, but I'm *mostly* trying to figure out where I should get started again, if I do, and what caveats and warnings I should keep in mind if I do. I'll probably have to buy a console, regardless of what I get, as I don't know where my 3DS went.

Many thanks in advance!