Summary
With eachPokemongeneration, players are treated to new Legendary Pokemon. These are usually hard-to-catch and very powerful creatures that typically grace the cover of their respective games. This trend continued withPokemon Scarlet and Violet, which featured Miraidon and Koraidon.
What makes this Legendary duo different is that players can ride them around Paldea, allowing players to form a bond with them. This puts the Legendaries of the Gen 10 games in a tough position afterPokemon Scarlet and Violet. They could go back to the regular formula, which may feel like a step backward, or they could make the Legendaries rideable again, though this may feel like a rehash of Gen 9.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Koraidon and Miraidon Set a New Legendary Standard
One of the themes ofScarletandVioletis the past and the future.Miraidon is a rideable Pokemon that comes from the future, while Koraidon comes from the past. Players encounter the Legendary Pokemon early on in the game, with Miraidon appearing inPokemon Violetand Koraidon inPokemon Scarlet.
At first, the Legendaries are too weak to battle. By eatingsandwiches made with Herba Mystica, the Legendaries slowly regain their old abilities, including the ability to glide in the air. With these abilities regained, players can then use their Legendaries to traverse the region.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Shake Up an Old Formula
This design is a twist on the old formula, as Legendaries are typically found during the late game, and there are usually other methods of transportation, like rollerblades or bicycles, that players use to get around. When a Pokemon can be ridden, like inPokemon Sun and Moon, it is on a creature like Tauros that isn’t a Legendary. The formula change is effective, as it allows players to spend time with their Legendary and consequently form a bond.
Gen 10 Has a High Hurdle to Overcome
Scarlet and Violetdramatically raised the barfor what players can expect from Legendaries. However, this puts the next generation in a difficult position. If the Legendaries can be ridden once again, it may feel like the new generation is reusing an old gimmick. On the other hand, if they can’t be ridden, players will lose the chance to bond with their Legendaries the way they did inScarlet andViolet.
The solution is for the upcoming generation to find a way for players tospend time with their Legendary Pokemonfrom early on in the game. This is a tough aspect to balance, as Legendaries are usually very powerful, so there needs to be a way to ensure that players can’t harness all that power from the start of their adventure. The next generation also needs to balance this with finding a fresh, exciting way to travel that will ensure players don’t wish that they were back in Paldea.
The nextPokemongame,Pokémon Legends: Z-A,is part of Gen 9, but it may give players a hint at how Game Freak plans to build on whatScarletandVioletlaid down. SurpassingScarlet andViolet’s Legendariesis a tall order, but it can be done with a little creativity.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you can join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
