Editor’s Note: The expansion for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is available in two parts and cannot be bought separately.
As a result, we’ve chosen to discuss our thoughts on Part One and will revise it with our complete assessment of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero as soon as both parts are out. This could result in a change to the review’s attached score.
The community’s reaction to Scarlet and Violet’s debut was wildly different. Fans of Pokemon were happy to share their thoughts on Scarlet and Violet with anyone who would listen, and they all seemed to know what was best for the series.
While some gamers bemoaned the bugs, the unreliable frame rate, and other technical difficulties,
others found solace in the game’s new mechanics, open world, and compelling plot. As usual, there was division in the community regardless of one’s position.
Still, the community becomes more stolid the further we are from release. Additionally, competitive players who have been around for a while have sunk their teeth into the meta.
This is Pokemon’s prime, and The Teal Mask enhances that aspect of the franchise with additional TMs and moves, new and returning Pokemon, and some much-needed improvements to the quality of life.
All of this is contained in a poignant tale set in a lush new area. Scarlet and Violet’s subpar technical performance isn’t much improved by The Teal Mask, but its additions and modifications provide an engaging beginning to a bigger project.
The Teal Mask is advertised as a field trip for students. A small number of students are chosen at random to study abroad in Kitakami, a brand-new area with influences from rural Japan.
Because your character is one of the fortunate ones, you are taken to the countryside. With a snappy introduction, you’re thrust into the new area and are quickly catching both new and returning Pokemon.
Although Kitakami and Paldea have many similar geographical features—rolling green hills, placid lakes with waterfalls, and a rugged mountain fixed in the middle of the map—Kitakami is distinguished by its vibrant culture.
People who live in Kitakami hold a great deal of respect for the Loyal Three, three legendary Pokemon that are comparable to the legendary birds or dogs from earlier generations.
According to legend, the townspeople were saved from a terrifying ogre by the Loyal Three. It is your task as a student to investigate the Kitakami area and piece together the story of the Ogre and the Loyal Three.
Although it’s a straightforward setup, it’s a useful way to become acquainted with the area, its past, and the characters.
Carmine and Keiran, two of the novel The Teal Mask’s new characters, are its core. These siblings attend Blueberry Academy, which will be given more prominence in the second DLC,
The Indigo Disc, and were raised in Kitakami. They add firsthand knowledge and insider knowledge to your discoveries as you explore the area. You quickly discover that Carmine is intensely competitive and Keiran feels alienated.
The narrative offers a fantastic setting for these two characters, especially Keiran, whose acceptance struggle is reminiscent of the Ogre’s and the Loyal Three’s. The narrative builds to a satisfying climax that leaves the Kitakami region neatly wrapped up and paves the way for a follow-up.
There are still reasons to explore Kitakami after the story is finished, such as a few secrets and a formidable new Pokemon to find. Despite its strong storytelling abilities, the main attraction is the new and returning Pokemon.
The Loyal Three, Dipplin, and Sinistcha are imaginative additions that mesh well with the local theme and culture. Scarlet and Violet’s Pokedex has welcomed the addition of fan favourites like Gliscor, Chandelure, and Milotic.
While it’s difficult to predict which Pokemon will cause a stir in the competitive scene, some new and returning moves, like Grassy Glide, Syrup Bomb, and Matcha Gotcha, could undoubtedly cause a stir.
Additionally, the additional TMs might restore the viability of some Pokemon. For example, at launch, Scarlet and Violet lacked Scald and Toxic, two players who were fairly common on competitive teams in previous generations.
The Ogre Oustin’ minigame in Kitakami at least makes EV-boosting and resetting items far more common. Competitors will find it much simpler to train and test these new and returning Pokemon as a result.
The most obvious weakness in the Teal Mask is also the one that ultimately prevented Scarlet and Violet from moving. Both the graphical quality and performance are rough.
Visual glitches, low frame rates, and ugly textures afflict the new region. You’re out of luck if you were thinking that update 2.0.1 would fix those problems.
While there are a few small improvements, like more seamless Pokemon Box navigation, they are difficult to notice considering how poorly the game still functions technically.
It’s been hard for me to put into words how I feel about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet this past year. After 350 hours, I still think that the base game is one of “the best mainline Pokemon games in years,” as I stated in my review.
The open-world layout harmoniously complements the series’ themes of exploration and discovery, terrastallization is the greatest battle tactic the franchise has yet to introduce,
and the competitive scene has been exciting to watch and take part in. Still, technical problems cloud Scarlet and Violet’s victorious highs, and The Teal Mask is no exception.
Though there’s still a lot to consider for both die-hard competitive players and fans who want to see more of the Pokemon universe, Scarlet and Violet’s fundamental problems remain.