Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Another day until the new Pokémon-games Pokémon Scarlet & Violet are in stores and we got to work with the games already recently (we have Pokémon Violet played). After the appearance of PokéMon Legends: Arceus last January it was clear that there was much more to the games than we had seen so far. So the big question with the appearance of a completely new generation is, does Game Freak manage to continue this dynamic, even build on it or does it mostly lapse into the old familiar?

For this review we unfortunately have the function not yet tested. This is therefore not further named and is not included in the consideration, other than that we think this is a good addition over the game.

To avoid giving too many spoilers, we try more than ever to name the story as little as possible, but of course you start right before you are about to embark on a big adventure. In your mother's bedroom, the game starts and when a few moments after the start you get a starter PokeHaving chosen mon you go out into the wide world.

This time, however, you also start off a little differently than usual. After you choose, you actually go to school to learn about the world of Pokémon. The first big surprise is even before you arrive at school, because there you will find Miraidon. When you save him Pok decidesémon join you, and although he won't fight for you, this is the first time a legendary Pokémon comes into your team so early.

Miraidon is a kind of flying motorcycle that allows you to traverse the vast Paldea region a lot easier. During the game he also learns new skills that make it easier to get from A to B. After he joins you go on to school, where the adventure really begins. The funny thing is that you then skip a few months in which you are taught, before finally going out into the world. On the road to éécomplete one of the three storylines.

Where Pokémon Scarlet & Violet really stands out is the freedom you have. For the first time, the creators of the games really succeeded in creating an open world. Much more so than in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. After all, you can actually get everywhere, try to beat every Gym leader and almost all Pokémon encounter

Minor criticism might be that the level of the Pokémon is somewhat forced to visit certain areas first. It would have been even better if this Pokémon would grow with the level of your own Pokémon. Still, there is definitely freedom. For example, we later found out that the gym that made the most sense in terms of strength to do first was our third gym.

Where in the previous games you were really given an order, you are now more free to choose where you go. There are even three different storylines you can follow. So you can choose to play the new Pokémon champion. Then as you traditionally did before you go down the gyms (though in your own order) to collect gym badges and show it off during a final tournament.

What is very nicely done here is that you no longer have to beat various challengers in the gym, but are given challenges. From traversing a course with a huge olive to solving various search puzzles. By the way you still get challengers in some situation, but this feels much more modern because of these challenges.

Because of this story, previous games always contained the fight against a team (like Team Rocket) and this time it is different. This story is obviously there (you fight Team Star), but can be fully played without ever having set foot in a gym. In addition, it feels very different than before. When you choose to attack a Team Star base you will first battle the person outside. If you win this, you get to do battle inside.

This is also different than usual. The different bases you attack with three Pokémon, but it's not combat as you know it, but a quick battle. Without you choosing the attacks, your Pok fallémon other PokéMon in the base until you have enough to beat the big boss. This final battle can certainly be challenging, but also causes you to sometimes have to come back later with other Pokémon or when you are better trained.

The final storyline is there One of the Titans. By the researcher who also helps you get the legendary Pok at the beginning of the game on, you are sent out to investigate different titans. You do this by tracking them down, challenging them and then defeating them. This challenge can be done in different ways and will often have to be done through some sort of puzzle. By the way, of course you can also choose to play the three stories interchangeably. Just that is also the freedom the game offers.

The freedom you find in the three challenges is also in the rest of the game. That way there is no Pokémon more that attack you by surprise (except maybe a Wiglett coming out of the ground). You choose much more consciously which Pokémon you want to attack and possibly capture. All this also goes into move through. There are no more single scenes, but in één motion you go from encountering a Pokémon to the battle. Players of PokéMon Legends: Arceus will probably still miss that you can catch without going into battle.

Incidentally, this is well justified by the fact that this game is really about becoming a trainer and not just getting your Pok complete. In addition, the dynamics are right in this fighting. By pressing R you can move the PokéSending mon who's on top out and letting them do the fighting, while you go through. This then just earns XP (if you win). A smart and really good choice.

About Pokémon spoken. There's another huge load of new Pokémon and regional forms. Unfortunately, we can't say too much about this, if only not to give you too many spoilers. From what has already been revealed, we know that this is also the case.

Where now you can choose which Pok to fight against you take on, you can also choose which trainer you fight against. Unlike before, you can now stand in front of a trainer without being challenged. Only when you start the conversation does the fight start. So you are much freer to go wherever you want.

Graphics is Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Similar to more recent Pokémon games. The Nintendo Switch has presumably reached its maximum power, then. Sometimes we even saw some frame-drops and loading items further down the map took a little longer. On the other hand, this was in Pokémon Legends: Arceus much worse and that problem seems to be largely solved now.

Although we already have almost 1,000 words in this review, there is still so much to write about. Fortunately, much of this is in the overview trailer above and adds everything on the way adding something to the game. The great thing is that more than ever you can really choose your own game and story. One feature we do want to mention is Terastallize. Where before, for example, Mega-Pokémon, Z-Moves and Gigantamax were added, so this time it is Terastallize.

Unlike Mega-Pokemon, for example, you can use this even less. This time you have to return to the Pokémon Center to recharge. With Terastallize, your Pokémon temporarily a layer of crystal that ensures that attacks that are of the same type as a Pok's Tera-Type become extra strong. This form remains throughout the fight and can be used with any Pokémon be used. This therefore makes it a tactical weapon, with less impact than from, say, Gigantamax.

There are also special Tera-raids. As in previous games, you can do this raid with up to four players (computer-controlled or friends). After the fight, you get the chance to make this Pokécatch mon. Sometimes these are really special Pokémon, but often just seeing the Pokémon that you can also encounter in the wild.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet showing that this is how Pokémon is actually meant to be. Dynamic, exploring in an open world and Pokémon see in their natural habitat. Along with the option to play three storylines in almost their own order and manner, you get games that show what freedom should be like. Graphically the game could perhaps be a little better and the levels of the Pokémon could grow (or shrink) with the levels of your Pokémon, but these games are a must-play anyway!