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On Feb. 27, 1996, the first Pokémon games were released in Japan, sparking a worldwide phenomenon that continues to thrive today. Millions around the world have their sights set on each new announcement and release, and it's no different with the upcoming Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
With the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet coming so soon, fans are ecstatic, and who can blame them? The Nintendo Switch games feature all-new professors, Pokémon, game mechanics, and adventures to be enjoyed. Overall, the games are setting themselves up to be huge successes both commercially and critically. But hidden among all the praise is some hesitation from fans, especially from those who are familiar with the older generations and therefore have high expectations for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Not Enough New Pokémon
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According to Reddit user Red_O_Zone, Game Freak has been letting players down with the number of new and returning Pokémon included in the more recent games. For example, in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, there were only "242 Pokémon, 251 less Pokémon than [Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl] from two months prior... we've gone from 890 Pokémon to 240 Pokémon. If you're not starting to see a pattern then I don't know what to tell you." While it has not yet been confirmed by Game Freak how many Pokémon will be available in Scarlet and Violet, if this pattern continues, more fans than ever will be disappointed.
Additionally, according to the leaks, many new Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet aren't entirely new. Convergent and regional Pokémon look like those featured in past games. With new colors, names, and abilities to set them apart, they will register in the Pokédex as entirely new Pokémon. With these changes, which are essentially redesigns, fans are divided. Game Freak has, however, released some confirmed names and designs of Pokémon that are set to appear in the games, so the Pokémon with these leaked qualities will likely only be a small portion of what fans can expect.
Scarlet and Violet Redesigns the Graphics
The modern Pokémon games, especially those on the Nintendo Switch, have undergone a radical redesign to fit the new console, making the games almost unrecognizable when compared to the classic versions seen in the franchise's Game Boy roots. Instead of a 2D pixilated art style, Scarlet and Violet are following the path set by games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus, adapting a cartoonish 3D art style. And, needless to say, fans are overall divided.
In a rant on Reddit, user AgentAndrewO asked, "[Does Game Freak] just not have the technical know-how after working exclusively on handhelds for so long? Couldn't they at least stylize the graphics to make up for it?" They then went on to compare Scarlet and Violet to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Luigi's Mansion 3, both of which have been applauded for employing stunning graphics on the Nintendo Switch. While the graphics for Scarlet and Violet look more polished than those in Arceus, the massive change when comparing them to the older games will undoubtedly turn some prospective players off of the games. On the other hand, the newer generation of players may not mind it, as it's closer to what they've grown up with.
New Gimmicks and Gameplay
Like any new game in a franchise, it's expected that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will strive to make the games feel new and refreshing by adding and altering some gameplay aspects. With all the information that's been released on the games so far, more has been confirmed in this category than in any other. Scarlet and Violet will be full of new gameplay elements, such as the Terastal forms in battles and rideable Legendaries.
While there is a lot to be excited about in this regard, some fans are worried that all these new gimmicks may take away from the heart of the games, making them seem too flashy for their own good. Many fans have already poked fun at the appearance of the brand-new Terastal forms in the games' promotional material, which could be telling of how the actual gameplay will be received when the games are finally released. This is not the only thing that makes Scarlet and Violet so different from other Pokémon games, either.
One of the most notable changes to the games overall is that they will be the first true open-world Pokémon games, and players will be able to beat the gyms in any order. This is a far cry from the original games, where the path that the player takes is set rigidly in stone and only limited exploration is allowed with the purpose of finding and training new Pokémon. With the success of open-world games today, however, this element may be just what the franchise needs.
All in all, it is clear that while not everyone will be pleased with every new aspect, Scarlet and Violet are looking to be a whole new take on the Pokémon formula. While some members of the older generation of fans may not appreciate the changes, the younger ones just might. Perhaps these changes will be beneficial for the franchise, which is known for its repetitive and at times predictable storylines and gameplay elements. Either way, Pokémon has entered a new era, and only time will tell if it is one that lives up to the expectations of the millions of devoted fans worldwide.