Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are amazing open-world RPGs

The three years that separate the eighth generation from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, marked by an important spin-off that defines the present and future of the main series, has led to a game that finally sheds the fear of development. Over the 26 years of its existence, the franchise Nintendo never stopped updating his formula from generation to generation, but always proceeded with caution, without abandoning characteristic linearity and limited research. Fortunately, this has changed.

Taking advantage of some of the elements that proved successful in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Scarlet, and Violet take the adventure of young trainers into a rich open world capable of providing unprecedented freedom.

Once you’ve left the university walls after a long and fun prologue, the player can choose one of three main missions – or play them all at the same time – and discover their true passion in the vast region of Paldea. You can focus your efforts on collecting badges and become a Pokémon Master in the Victory Road campaign, take on a Pokémon Titan in Path of Legends, or thwart the plans of Team Star, Team Rocket’s generational equivalent, in Starfall Street.

Even with three main quests, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet keeps progress organically without imposing too many conditions. While the developers have created some challenges for those who want uncompromising exploration, such as leveling up Pokémon according to regions, this never means a lack of freedom.

Freedom, which is also felt in the absence of obligatory opponents on the way. Although there are many other trainers scattered around the map, fighting them is now just an option. However, defeating them all in the same zone grants promotional rewards that go beyond experience.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is also permanently phasing out random encounters. As in Legends: Arceus, all the little monsters walk around the stage, and seeing them on the loose adds to the immersion and nostalgic feeling of discovery in the game, especially with a new generation that is still so unknown. This makes the Pokédex playthrough enjoyable and rewarding, even if it no longer has the depth that Legends: Arceus once gave it.

Exploration is facilitated by two legendaries that churn out covers. Miraidon and Coraidon initially serve as ground vehicles, but gain abilities that allow them to climb mountains and even hover in the air after the player completes certain tasks. On a map as vast – and with diverse biomes that make up the continent in a very natural way – like Paldea, having this mechanic is absolutely essential. In addition, the stories told by these two are rich and help make the game’s storytelling even more fun.

Speaking of storytelling, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is the most mature of the entire franchise, and probably the best. The characters are easy to get attached to, they are all full of personality and well developed, and the results of the three main campaigns are really impressive.

Combat, for the most part, follows the classic turn-based mechanics of the first games in the franchise, which helps break the hectic pace of exploration a bit. While they are a bit tedious after long hours of play, they are highly nostalgic and have beautiful animations for an almost endless variety of skills.

The novelty is due to the mechanics of Terastal. This allows Pokémon to change types during combat, giving it a strategic depth that goes far beyond the transformations seen in other generations, which almost guaranteed victory upon activation. Only one Pokémon can be transformed per battle, and it will always be necessary to visit a Pokémon Center to be able to use the resource again, requiring the player to know how to recognize the right moment to do so, or may unexpectedly be at a disadvantage.

Throughout the scenario, many Terastalized Pokémon can be found. In addition to walking around, you can usually find some crystals that are visible from afar and marked on a very useful in-game map and enter Tera Raids. These are battles in which four players, online or offline, face off against a Pokémon in its terastrial form and slightly stronger than usual for the region. In addition, these battles take place in their own, more dynamic rhythm, and by defeating Pokémon and “breaking” the transformation effect, you can easily catch a small monster.

However, in a game so rich in content and freedom, some technical flaws persistently interfere with work: for example, FPS drops are so common that they force the player to get used to them; Internet resources, on the other hand, seem to be much more powerful, although they point to an even more promising future. While it seems entirely possible to fix some of these issues in future updates, this is not a very common practice in Game Freak.

Considerations

Even with some technical issues quickly becoming minor, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is the most complete experience in Pokémon history.

The consolidated RPG formula has finally adopted the open world as its setting, and has done so in nothing short of amazing, heightening the sense of discovery without ever losing – and even returning – the nostalgic appeal of such a solid series.

It was hard to imagine that Game Freak would go any further, but Legends: Arceus served as a laboratory for introducing the franchise to its future.

+The best content in your email for free. Choose your favorite Terra newsletter. Click here!