Unmask the mysteries, celebrate the legacy of legendary Pokemon and explore the depths of Kitakami folklore in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s latest DLC.
When the online Pokemon community was flooded with sneak-peaks of new Pokemon and lore that were going to be featured in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s highly-anticipated downloadable content (DLC) – The Teal Mask – weeks leading up to its release, I, like many other trainers across the world was swept away by the hype.
With paddy fields, apple orchards, new evolutions for beloved Pokemon lines from previous generations and the promise of an expanded lore that takes inspiration from feudal-life Japan, The Teal Mask felt like a compelling second wind to what is already considered, the best titles in the series.
The new DLC sees your character being chosen as one of four students, to take part in an annual school trip to the land of Kitakami, a landlocked mountainous area just east of Paldea, the latest region in the Pokemon mainline games.
The trip also coincides with a seasonal festival held by villagers of the only settlement found in Kitakami; Mossui Town.
Dubbed the Festival of Masks, the event celebrates three heroic Pokemon (The Loyal Three) who were said to have sacrificed their lives to save the land from an evil ogre.
JOURNEY TO THE EAST
Right from the start, the rural ambiance and setting of Kitakami feels like a breath of fresh air as it brings a welcome change after nearly a year spent exploring the Spain-inspired Paldea region.
Unlike the previous five generations and regions in the Pokemon games, the land of Kitakami sets itself apart through its inspiration which draws from rural Japan and Japanese folklore.
This influence is evident in every aspect of the DLC, from the attire we receive, a Jinbei – a traditional Japanese outfit worn by people of all ages during the summer as casual wear – to the newly introduced Pokemon native to the foreign land.
One of these delightful creatures include Poltchageist, which made headlines when a reveal trailer was released on YouTube depicting a group of children in traditional Japanese garb, listening to an old tale of a broken and repaired teapot from an ancient tea master that one day became haunted. Poltchageist, a ghost-type Pokemon made out of matcha tea powder that dwells within a tea caddy makes a clear reference to traditional Japanese tea ceremony and its lore is a direct nod to Kintsugi, the Japanese art form of mending broken pottery using lacquer infused with precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum.
Call it favouritism or a deep appreciation for Japanese culture, but it’s hard to deny the captivating depth that Eastern culture, especially the Japanese influence, brings to the Pokemon lore within The Teal Mask.
The DLC’s central folktale also shares direct parallels with the Japanese legend of Momotaro, a folk hero born from a peach who embarked on a quest to vanquish a group of oni (ogres) with the aid of three animal companions: a monkey, a dog, and a pheasant.
NEW CHARACTERS UNVEILED
The Teal Mask introduces several new characters. Briar, a teacher from Unova’s sister school, Blueberry Academy, will serve as your guide and chaperone during the trip.
Accompanying her are Carmine and Kieran, local Kitakami residents and students of Blueberry Academy.
Carmine, with a somewhat prickly attitude towards non-locals, strongly opposes the increasing tourism in her ancestral land. In contrast, Kieran is more reserved and often feels overwhelmed by his elder sister’s condescending behaviour.
Then we have the legendary Pokemon, who are integral figures in the Kitakami folklore; Ogerpon, the aforementioned malevolent ogre and The Loyal Three, comprised of Munkidori, Okidogi and Fezendipiti.
Critiques about one-dimensional characters are nothing new to the gaming series. In fact, it’s a recurring observation that has resurfaced here as both Carmine and Kieran, the characters you interact with most, can sometimes become a bit grating.
The narrative’s rising conflict stems from the tension that brews between the siblings when one becomes entangled with the player’s journey upon their initial encounter with the legendary Pokemon of Kitakami, Ogerpon, while the other sibling, a long-time sympathiser of the ogre of legend, is singled out from this adventure.
HEARTFELT LEGENDS
You gradually unravel the legend through a sequence of fetch-quests that not only guide you across Kitakami – which is roughly a quarter the size of Paldea – but also unveil different facets of the folklore that reshape your perspective on the heroes and villains in the story. Due to the open world of Scarlet and Violet, there’s nothing stopping you from exploring the entire region before delving into the narrative – which is precisely what I did.
As I completed the story and embarked on my explorations in this unfamiliar land, The Teal Mask unfolds the tale of Kitakami beautifully. However, this was not achieved through a sudden and favourable character development among the side characters, but rather, it was the DLC’s mascot that truly shone.
The new legendary Pokemon, Ogerpon possesses one of the most human-like origins in the series.
Although this narrative thread may be predictable, the pain and suffering endured by the creature – not only at the hands of evil Pokemon but also from a group of people it yearns to be a part of – is poignant and heartrending.
While the narrative had a somewhat shaky start, the DLC found its footing as the story progressed.
Previous concerns about shallow character depth were addressed, as The Teal Mask essentially serves as a setup chapter for the forthcoming instalment, the Indigo Disc.
There’s also the narrative thread that weaves Kitakami to the mysterious Great Crater of Paldea, specifically its heart known as Area Zero, and this arc revolves around Ogerpon’s various masks.
It ultimately leads to a climactic battle that reshapes our understanding of ‘terastrallisation’ (an exclusive phenomenon that only occurs in Paldea).
It not only bestows Pokemon with a radiant, gemstone-like appearance and heightened strength, but also introduces strategic elemental typings, adding a layer of complexity to the Pokemon universe in terms of competitive battles.
The most unexpected aspect of the DLC however is its amusing side quests, which are less than a handful. Without giving too much away, one in particular introduces a fresh style of gameplay that piques your curiosity about the potential for a Pokemon horror game.
The reward for this side quest is, dare I say, spine-tingling, with a narrative that delves into the concept of peaking too soon in your career and reigniting a passion that is driven more by self-fulfilment than mere glory.
Another side quest takes you on a comical scavenger hunt, shuttling back and forth between Paldea and Kitakami, with dialogue that I have to admit, made me chuckle at its absurdity.
In the end, the tale that is woven in The Teal Mask is no game-changer. But the intertwining sagas of Ogerpon and The Loyal Three offer a surprising glimpse into the complexities of the human perception and folly, revealing the intricate shades of grey of what defines a hero or a villain.
The Teal Mask offers enough intrigue that not only keeps the Pokemon flame burning bright for fans but has also left players eagerly anticipating the next chapter, promising even more depth and intrigue in the adventures yet to come.
Deciding whether this DLC is worth your time is a personal choice, but for devoted Pokemon enthusiasts, it hearkens back to the franchise’s origins.
With fresh stories that evoke the charm of the early Pokemon games, it’s a journey worth experiencing. Dive in and unmask the magic for yourself. – Wardi Wasil
