Pokémon Scarlet and Violet succeed in reworking the traditional Pokémon gameplay for an open-world setting, but suffers with lifeless environments and uninteresting graphics. Here's our review of the latest instalments in the Pokémon franchise:
Gone are the days of neatly organised routes funnelling you from Gym to Gym, for, after completing the games' opening chapter, you're free to venture anywhere. Paldera is the largest region the series has seen so far - ranging from green fields to a windswept desert to a bamboo grove - and, upon leaving the city of Mesagoza for the wilds, it does feel like you're on the cusp of a grand adventure.
One of the greatest tools in any Pokémon trainer's disposal, however, is the Pokédex. My love for the Pokédex in Scarlet and Violet doesn't just stem from how it resembles a bookshelf. The photographs are a welcome addition to the Pokémon models, but, best of all, it's been perfectly adapted for the games' open-world nature without losing any of the surprise that comes from discovering a new Pokémon.
Every Pokémon has a Tera Type - for single type Pokémon it will usually match their type, while, for dual types, it will be their primary type. Armarouge, for example, will typically have a fire Tera Type despite being a fire and psychic Pokémon. You can eventually change a Pokémon's Tera Type through the use of Tera Shards, but, if you want to start experimenting with this new mechanic as soon as possible, it's better to venture out in the wild.
Yet, this atmosphere is undercut by how easy it is to forget the school exists once you're free to roam. It's a symptom of how the idea of giving this world a richness, making it feel lived in, has been left by the wayside.
When it comes to the storylines themselves, Victory Road is your standard 'Become the Pokémon Champion' affair anyone who's ever played a mainline Pokémon game will be accustomed with. Though you're free to tackle any Gym Leader, their team's levels are set, meaning there is an ideal order for collecting the Gym Badges.
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