The three years separating the eighth generation and Pokémon Crimson and Purple, which featured significant spin-off opportunities to dictate the present and future of the main series, led to a game that finally lost its fear of development. For 26 years of its existence, a franchise Nintendo She never ceases to invent her formula generation after generation, but always plays it safe, without giving up her characteristic linearity and restrained exploration. Fortunately, that has changed.
Leveraging some of the proven elements of Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet & Violet take the adventure of young trainers into a rich open world capable of offering unprecedented freedom.
Once leaving the university walls after the long and enjoyable prologue, the player can choose between one of three main missions – or progress through them simultaneously – and discover their true passion in the vast region of Paldea. You can focus your efforts on collecting badges and becoming a Pokémon master through the Victory Road campaign, taking on Pokémon Titan in Path of Legends, or thwarting the plans of Team Star, the equivalent of the Team Rocket generation, in Starfall Street.
Even with three main missions, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet keeps the progression going organically, without imposing too many stipulations. Although the developers have created some difficulties for those who want relentless exploration, such as leveling up Pokémon according to regions, this is by no means a lack of freedom.
The freedom we also feel in the absence of obligatory opponents along the way. While there are many other trainers scattered across the map, hiring them is now only an option. However, defeating them all in the same area grants incentive bonuses beyond experience.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is also forgoing random encounters forever. Just like in Legends: Arceus, all the little monsters are seen roaming the landscape, and seeing them free increases the immersion and nostalgic sense of discovery in the game, and even with the arrival of a new generation it remains unknown. This makes completing a Pokédex fun and rewarding, even if it no longer has the same depth Legends: Arceus once gave it.
Exploration is facilitated by the two legends that seal the lids. Miraidon and Koraidon initially act as ground vehicles, but gain abilities that allow them to climb mountains and even glide through the air after the player completes certain objectives. On a map as extensive – and with diverse biomes that make up the continent in a very natural way – as Paldea, having this mechanic is absolutely essential. In addition, the stories told by the two are rich and help make the game’s narrative more engaging.
Speaking of storytelling, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is the most mature of the entire series, and possibly the best. The characters are easy to relate to, they are all full of personality and well developed, and the three main campaigns reach really impressive results.
Battles, for the most part, follow the classic turn-based mechanics of the first games in the franchise, which helps break up the intense exploration pace a bit. Although they get a little tired after many hours of playing, they have a strong nostalgic appeal and beautiful animations for the endless variety of skills.
The novelty is due to the Terastal mechanics. Thanks to it, Pokémon can change their types during battle, which gives them a strategic depth that far exceeds the transformations experienced by other generations, and which, when activated, practically guarantees victory. It is possible to convert only one Pokémon per battle and it will always be necessary to visit a Pokémon Center to be able to use the resource again, which requires the player to know how to recognize the right moment to do so or may, unexpectedly, be at a disadvantage.
It is possible to find many Terastalized Pokemon throughout the scenario. In addition to seeing them wandering around, it’s common to find some crystals – which can be seen from afar and are marked on the game’s very useful map – and get into Tera Raids. These are battles in which four players, online or offline, face off against a Pokémon that is in its Terastal form and is a little more powerful than usual in the area. In addition, these battles follow their own, more dynamic rhythm, and after defeating a Pokémon and “breaking” the effect of the transformation, it is possible to capture the little monster without any difficulty.
However, in a game so rich in content and freedom, some technical flaws insist on disturbing the experience: for example, FPS drops are so common that they force the player to get used to it; On the one hand, online resources seem to be much stronger, although they point to a more promising future. While it seems entirely possible that some of these issues will be fixed in future updates, this is not a very common practice on Game Freak.
considerations
Even with some technical issues, which are quickly becoming minor, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is the most complete experience in Pokémon history.
The unified RPG formula has finally embraced the open world as its setting and has done so in nothing short of amazing fashion, heightening the sense of discovery without losing – and even restoring – the nostalgic appeal of such an enduring series.
It was hard to imagine Game Freak going any further, but Legends: Arceus served as a laboratory for introducing the franchise into its future.
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