Pokémon fans have a lot to look forward to this year, with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet premiering the ninth generation of the franchise in late 2022. This new set of games will bring players into a new region, with new and old Pokémon alike appearing along their journey.
Just like with the reveal of Sword and Shield in February 2019, players are getting more information about the game the closer the release date gets. Fans have now seen news ranging from some of the new Pokémon to the land of Paldea and how multiplayer will work.
Starters and new Pokémon coming to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
For the Starters, players can choose to team up with Sprigatito, the Grass Cat Pokémon, Fuecoco, the Fire Croc Pokémon, or Quaxly, the Duckling Pokémon. Outside their design, names, and typing, not much is known about this trio of first partners.
Some new Pokémon have been revealed since the game was first announced too, and the community has fallen in love with a few of them. Aside from the three starters, there are several new Pokémon joining the list.
Pawmi, Lechonk, Smoliv, Paldean Wooper, Cetitan, Fidough, Koraidon, and Miraidon are all new Pokémon coming to the game. Lechonk, Fidough, and Paldean Wooper have all been generally adopted by fans on social media for their cute looks, while Koraidon and Miraidon are the two new Legendaries coming to the game.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is the first truly open-world game
As noted by TPC after the game’s reveal, Scarlet and Violet are what Game Freak is calling its first true attempt at an “open-world game” for the franchise, iterating on the technology used when developing Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Specifically, the developers note players can “explore an open world where various towns with no borders blend seamlessly into the wilderness.” Additionally, Pokémon will remain in the overworld, appearing in the air, on land, and in bodies of water across the new region.
During the Aug. 3 Pokémon Presents, players finally got a good look at, and a name for, the land they’ll be exploring. The land of Paldea is full of new adventures and Pokémon, and it’s the first map that will be fully explorable with up to three friends.
Paldea takes place in a region based on Spain and Portugal, thanks to some of the buildings and images in the trailer. The names of the Starters also have a strong root in the Spanish language, which is likely another hint at the origins of the region’s inspiration.
TPC did confirm Scarlet and Violet will support connectivity with Pokémon HOME after they launch, but with the usual caveat of every game only receiving species of Pokémon that can be found or are listed as compatible for that title.
This likely means the new games will follow the same development model used in Sword and Shield and Arceus, where Game Freak limits the number of Pokémon in the game to focus on improving the models and features of the species available.
Players saw just how big a difference this method can make in Legends: Arceus with the enhanced Pokémon models and animations, which seem to be carrying over to Scarlet and Violet based on early footage of Pokémon like Seviper and Larvitar, which is expanded on in other showcases too.
In the game’s second trailer, Game Freak also revealed several additional pieces of information, including that players will be able to tackle the new region in whatever order they deem fit. This means Gyms can be beaten out of the traditional order for the first time in a modern game—though the exact specifics have yet to be shared.
Open-world multiplayer has also been confirmed, mixing elements from Sword and Shield with new ideas to give four players the chance to play together in a single instance. But this has also not been expanded upon mechanically.
Related: Are Pokémon Scarlet and Violet set in different time periods?
Terastal Pokémon make their debut in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Each Pokémon game has a gimmick these days. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, it was Gigantimax Pokémon, and in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, it was Ultra Wormholes. In SV, that gimmick is Terastal Pokémon.
In the Aug. 3 Pokémon Presents, fans got a look at the gimmick for the first time. Pokémon that are Terastallized gain gem-like ornaments on their heads based on the Tera Type. Rare Tera Type Pokémon can have different typings and are found very rarely in the wild, and more commonly in Raids.
The Pokémon change forms while they are Terastallized and gain a same-type attack bonus based on what their Tera Type is. This mechanic replaces the Hidden Power mechanic from past games.
There may be more information coming for fans before the game launches on Nov. 18, but there has been no announced Pokémon Presents for the near future and the game is only a few months away from launch.
