It's like that because the world us from the perspective of a Pokemon trainer out on their first journey, a sort of right of passage in the world. There's still a few NPCs here and there that talk about martial arts or hiking and their special interests though.

Emerald, Platinum, gen 5(Black& White+2) are almost unanimously considered the best games in the franchise. There are many who consider the Johto remakes the best as well, but I am not a fan specifically because that region is a massive slog to get through despite being beautiful.