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Pokémon Scarlett - An initial impression

A brief discussion about the new Pokemon games

By Chris Wilkinson Tue 22 Nov, 2022 10:41 PM
This past week saw the launch of the newest games in the Pokémon franchise, which has spanned over the last 26 years and now into it’s 9th generation of games. This has shown how Pokémon has inspired the hearts of multiple generations of people, especially as we as adults, still indulge ourselves alongside the newer gamers.

Over 26 years the games have grown in size (and let’s not talk about the growth in the Pokédex) from our original adventures in Kanto, where we looked down at our character as we moved across that 2.5d map. We had to follow quite a linear path with well placed obstacles in our way to prevent progress (here’s looking at you Snorlax).

I’m sure back then the thoughts of a Pokémon game becoming more of an open world adventure would have been almost impossible to believe, as almost every game made you go through that set path, where you follow the roads between each gym. Your final goal; those eight badges and a chance at the Pokémon League.

Pokémon Sword switched things up a little as while you went after the badges like before, the adventure was much more akin to your normal adventure like games. Those final battles where you work to become champion, much easier as your Pokémon were rested between each battle, where before you had to slog it out and make sure you had enough potions, revives and ether to keep your team going.

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Fan favourite Buizel
While I’ve not gotten far into Scarlett yet, it’s clear to see where it’s taken elements from Pokémon Legends: Arceus as you wander around Paldea, meeting all the new faces and seeing some of those cute new Pokémon that they’ve added. There is a lot there for the returning fans as well as so far I’ve run into quite a few old favourites such as Azumarill, Buizel and Ralts. If you play the game until 28/02/23, you can also get your hands on a Pikachu which knows fly.

This does give this writer memories of the days where you saw the surfing Pikachu on the beach, and one whom rumours said you could get by completing certain tasks within Pokémon stadium.

The launch of the game so far, hasn’t been without it’s issues as there have been widespread reports of frame rate issues which I have seen myself while I’ve been playing. But games these days all seem to have issues which the developers usually get fixed fairly quickly.
So far, Scarlett is shaping up to be quite an interesting game and a worthy instalment to the franchise, and it makes you wonder if this is the kind of game we’re going to be moving too, what will we see in that inevitable tenth and eleventh generation of games.

The only people who can answer that for us will be the fine folk over at Game Freak, but I think it’s safe to say, they’ll have ideas for years to come and keeping that world of Pokémon alive.

Let us know what your experiences have been like so far. Do you think this new generation is as good as the previous one(s)?

WRITTEN BY: Chris Wilkinson
EDITED BY: Solace
IMAGES SOURCED FROM SOURCE 1 - SOURCE 2 - SOURCE 3
6 Comments
Wed 23 Nov, 2022 12:06 AM
Been playing it almost non stop since sunday, I got the violet version because my fav dragon types are exclusive mon's. I am perhaps 60% through the game? it feels so much longer and larger than previous gens, so much packed into it and I heard there will be DLC so performance/bugs aside this is by far the best pokemon game I have ever played
Thu 24 Nov, 2022 5:32 PM
Been enjoying my time in Pokemon Violet so far, my first game since Pokemon SoulSilver. I'm especially having a great time just hanging around with a friend in voice and playing through the game together with the Union Circle feature. Big downsides for me personally are the frame rate issues and the rather meh looking graphics in the world.
Mon 28 Nov, 2022 1:27 PM
Hopefully this is the kick in the head GameFreak needed. Pokemon has always been weak on graphics but these issues are beyond the pale for a current gen console game. The fact that so many people are playing through the issues, myself included, is a testament that the concept is sound. The story of this game is probably one of the best ever and the design of the new mons is mostly solid. It's all just let down by looking like a closed beta version.
Mon 28 Nov, 2022 2:19 PM
<-- Not a Pokemon but is still okay with it.
Tue 29 Nov, 2022 1:04 AM
Not gonna lie, seems like ever since the Pokemon games went 3D everything from XY to SV have felt unfinished. The fact some are saying the Switch can't handle the graphics is ludicrous, look at Xenoblade and Breath of the Wild. Maybe its time for the title to be handed too another developer, just saying.
Tue 29 Nov, 2022 6:53 PM
"Fan favourite Buizel"

Not after that 'Big Buizel, Little Buizel' quest in Arceus!!

I am enjoying Scarlet though. The multiplayer - getting to play in the same world as friends - is so much fun and exactly what I've been hoping for from Pokemon for years.