I mean yea, it would also be nice if the Pokemon also fought real time, prepared your tea and gave people blowjobs, but that's just not realistic. It's nice as it is they have running and walking animations for all species, demanding that they also fit exactly to your needs and desires for it to be worth it is a bit much.
I don't think what I mentioned were necessarily solely my needs and desires.
At the very least I just ask that the feature is optional. That's all. But if they're going to make it again and not make it optional I have high expectations. It needs to be taken to a new level.
As for Amie, as much as I like it it is very limited in scope, and to enter it you have to go through a menu. It's not something you naturally experience through your gameplay much in the same way as simply having the poke follow you as you explore. Having amie happen by turning around and talking to the Pokemon would also be much more intuitive.
And that's what is nice about Amie, it's not forced on you. It's optional. You say it's limited in scope, but I don't really see how the Pokemon following feature is much different. It's just the same repetitive interactions. Same deal.
And if you like cubone that much, just use it man. Eviolite, overleveling, items… in-game is not that hard, just do you.
The only use I've really found for Cubone is False Swipe. I just don't find the type or moveset to be too exciting. Too bad they couldn't have made an Alola form Cubone with Fire/Ground typing or something like that.