From imperfections to immersive joy, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet welcome you to the Paldea region.
Fall is on the horizon and with this season comes gaming enthusiasts eagerly anticipating some of the most awaited releases. This includes a downloadable content (DLC) for one of the highest-grossing media franchises in the world – Pokémon.
With the upcoming release of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC entitled The Hidden Treasures of Area Zero, I thought it best to revisit one of the most polarising entries of the franchise.
For those who managed to avoid Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, launched last November, it’s time to explore whether the main game truly lived up to expectations or fell short.
Scarlet and Violet represent the ninth generation of Pokémon games and has already sold over 22 million units worldwide as of May.
Having played each subsequent generation across various Nintendo handheld consoles, from the Game Boy Color in 1998 to the current Nintendo Switch, and even enjoying the augmented reality mobile game Pokémon Go, I can proudly say that I’ve encountered all 1,008 Pokémon officially registered in the National Pokédex.
While I may not be an expert, I am an avid fan. So, let us delve through this rough gem.
Glitches and performance woes
One pressing issue that must be addressed is the game’s performance.
Although praised for being the first truly open-world Pokémon game, even the expansive landscapes of the new Paldea region couldn’t overshadow the glaring frame rate issues and low FPS (frames per second).
I, too, experienced instances where my avatar clipped through the ground during a shiny hunt, so the complaints were not unwarranted. Online multiplayer participants faced even worse problems, enduring lagged tera raid battles.
Given the franchise’s immense popularity and financial success, it’s disappointing that such a highly anticipated entry still suffered from subpar graphics and poor performance.
Despite eight months and several patches, there remains a looming risk of game crashes when too many Pokémon spawn in a specific area.
Personally, as a Pokémon enthusiast and shiny hunter, I can overlook the shoddy visuals and occasional humorous glitches.
However, for competitive players and those who engage in online raiding, caution is warranted, as tera raids are notorious for their bad matchmaking, jammed lobbies, and outrageously short battle timers, leading to rage quitting
among players.
Open world, open heart
Despite its flaws, Scarlet and Violet provide a mystifying open-world experience and an engaging story that rivals some of the series’ best instalments, like the fourth generation’s Black and White (2010) and, yes, even the seventh generation’s Sun and Moon (2016).
Breaking away from the linear story progression of collecting gym badges, defeating the Pokémon League, and completing the Pokédex, this entry allows trainers – in this case, students – of either Naranja or Uva Academy (depending on the version purchased), to choose one of three separate paths: Victory Road, Starfall Street and Path of Legends.
Each path unveils character development and expands the lore of the Paldea region. Trainers will face conventional eight gym leaders and the elite four, battle titan Pokemon or go rogue on a bunch of pesky delinquents.
Beneath the surface of childish whimsy that is characteristic of mainline Pokémon games, there are thought-provoking themes of parental neglect, societal pressure, childhood trauma, bullying, and humanity’s hubris in its pursuit of discovery.
Yet, the deeper narratives are also intertwined with threads of friendship, resilience, and overcoming adversity, culminating in a tense yet cathartic finale that evokes a sense of melancholy and bittersweetness.
Beyond the occasional jittery graphics lies a meaningful narrative delivered through the classic turn-based RPG format of catching and training elemental monsters.
In the game loop
The freedom to roam in Scarlet and Violet contributes to the game’s immersive world-building, offering multiple biomes and cities to explore.
Whether traversing vast open spaces, perilous mountain ranges, expansive deserts, or snowy mountains, the world of Scarlet and Violet opens up like a Cloyster.
Replayability has always been a defining aspect of the Pokémon experience, especially in the mainline games.
Completionists, Nuzlocke challengers and shiny hunters like myself will find an abundance of content to enjoy in Scarlet and Violet.
Some players undertake multiple runs of the game, dubbed Nuzlockes where they experiment with different self-imposed rules to increase the game’s difficulty and use Pokémon they may not be familiar with.
Shiny hunters, in particular, invest hours, days, or even months into catching rare, alternate colour variants of Pokémon. The base odds of encountering a shiny Pokémon are one in 4,096, making each shiny hunt a unique journey. Adding to the excitement, Scarlet and Violet introduced a new battle mechanic called “terastralisation”.
Terastralised Pokémon don a form that glistens like cut gemstones and gain a boost in strength, as well as strategic elemental typings. Even to this day, seasonal tera raid battles continue to feature Pokémon from previous generations, some making their 3D debut for the first time.
Tera raids are a type of co-operative battle where four Pokémon trainers work together to defeat one strong tera Pokémon.
A continuation of the max raid battles in the previous generation, Sword and Shield (2019), raid battles encourage trainers to approach battles with strategies instead of the typical brute force.
In the end, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet may have its imperfections, but it offers a captivating and meaningful gaming experience for both casual fans and devoted trainers.
Whether you’re willing to overlook the technical flaws to immerse yourself in a rich narrative and exploration or prefer a smoother gaming experience, the decision lies with the player.
With the upcoming Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC on the horizon, it’s the perfect opportunity for both newcomers and seasoned trainers to revisit this entry and experience the magic and charm that make Pokémon a timeless and beloved franchise. – Wardi Wasil
