A new trailer for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has just arrived, and it's packed with gameplay details for the upcoming game.
Due to launch on November 18 on Nintendo Switch, the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is right around the corner. And with Pokémon Sword and Shield now firmly behind us, we're ready to see what the Pokémon Company has in store for us this time around.
The trailer reveals a number of new features, including how terrastalling works and how Pokémon can use the phenomenon to switch types in the middle of battle. We also enjoyed previews of the TM machine; a must-have for min-maxers, as well as the three main stages available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Path of Legends, Victory Road, and Starfall Street.
They also showed off the new Tera Raid Battles, which are cooperative matchups against a single particularly tough Pokémon, reminiscent of the Dynamax Raids in Sword and Shield.
The gameplay footage also revealed plenty of open-world features, including a "Go" command, which commands your Pokemon to fight automatically, with no micromanagement required. They also revealed a world map and "Grunt Battles", where your team faces off against various Team Star trainers in the open world.
It's a whole new world we live in
Scarlet and Violet's open-world ambitions are clearly intent on taking advantage of Sword and Shield's Wild Area in a big way.
It's exciting to see a shift towards open world exploration in Scarlet and Violet. Judging by the map featured in the trailer, it looks like the latest pocket monster sim is heading to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Nintendo has clearly learned a thing or two from Pokémon Legends Arceus, not only by placing more emphasis on exploration, but also by allowing battles to take place out in the world, rather than in a stylized, instanced arena. Pokémon has always been celebrated for its emphasis on adventure and exploration, and it's heartening to see Scarlet and Violet doubling down.
The "Go" command could also be a game changer and is a clear result of the move to open world play. As seen in the trailer, this allows you to throw your Pokemon at targets in the wild, causing them to fight automatically.
Obviously, the success of this mechanism will largely depend on how organic it feels when used in the world. At best, it could signal the end of tedious level work, while at worst, it could be relegated to the dump of forgotten Pokémon gadgets*.
However, as encouraging as it may seem to see Pokemon branching out into new territory for the series, I wonder if the open-world mechanics will suit what is essentially a granular, turn-based RPG.
From Assassin's Creed Valhalla to Horizon Forbidden West, a host of modern video games seem committed to recreating The Witcher 3's phenomenal open-world experiences. Both the Assassin's Creed and Horizon series have done great things with the Witcherly formula and create a great experience. own right.
However, a part of me can't help but wonder if this is dangerous territory for a turn-based fantasy RPG. While Pokémon Legends Arceus pushed the envelope in some pretty cool ways, it would be a shame to see Scarlet and Violet dilute the whimsy and bounty of the traditional pocket monster formula in their pursuit of open-world mechanics. As a fan of Pokemon for many years, I sincerely hope my fears are unfounded.
*This is where the Sandwich minigame takes place. Trust me: no one plays Pokémon because they want the authentic Subway experience. Sorry, sandwich fans.