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As a sequence, Pokémon is one which has held onto custom fairly firmly. Within the 25+ years since Pink & Blue’s launch, the basics of the sport haven’t actually modified – you discover a world, you battle Pokémon, you catch Pokémon. Final yr’s Pokémon Scarlet & Violet was the mainline sequence’ first large try to alter issues up a bit, increasing exploration to an open-world setting and letting you progress in your individual manner. However basically it was nonetheless Pokémon, warts and all.
It’s maybe becoming, then, that the primary a part of The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero DLC, The Teal Masks, is ready in a land besotted with custom. The individuals inform folks tales, new native Pokémon are steeped in historical past, and with the Kitakami area’s clear Japanese inspirations, it looks like a throwback to the older days. This does imply that whereas The Teal Masks is a enjoyable time that builds on Scarlet & Violet’s strengths, it additionally exposes the bottom sport’s – and the sequence’ – weaknesses that rather more.
Your character embarks on a college journey to Kitakami. Whereas there, you’ll be taught concerning the tradition and discover the rice paddies and grassy fields, all whereas listening to about The Loyal Three and Ogerpon, a fearsome legendary Pokémon of the area. The lighter story right here is sensible provided that The Teal Masks may be accessed throughout the first 5 hours of the principle sport, however your journey in Kitakami does really feel like one large sidequest – albeit one which ends with an enormous carrot dangling for the second half of the Enlargement Go, The Indigo Disk.
We’ve got to speak concerning the DLC’s new characters, Carmen and Kieran. These siblings proceed the bottom sport’s development of characters with unbelievable growth. This duo takes some warming as much as, however each actually grew on us by the tip of the DLC. We’ve got a tender spot for Kieran and his character arc, which leaves us with loads of questions for half two.
It’s unimaginable to return to Scarlet & Violet, even on this new area, and never discuss concerning the much-maligned visuals and efficiency points. If you happen to’re anticipating any enhancements right here, then you definately’re out of luck – The Teal Masks seems to be simply as fuzzy and struggles to take care of a constant body price simply as a lot as the bottom sport does. Miraidon nonetheless hops at a sluggish tempo, pop-in from characters, ‘mons, and crops are as pervasive as ever, and any NPC or Pokémon that’s various toes away will transfer round at a slideshow tempo.
Returning to the sport nearly a yr after its launch to nonetheless discover it on this form of state is extremely irritating. It notably stings in a yr the place we’ve seen each Tears of the Kingdom, which pushes the Change to its limits, and Pikmin 4, which exhibits the system’s visuals at their very best. However hey, packing containers now load with out lagging horrendously. That’s one thing, proper?
The Teal Masks is Pokémon very a lot as we all know it. Run round, battle Pokémon, battle trainers (if you want), and catch ‘em all – together with a brand new batch of returners from earlier generations. In an analogous method to the bottom sport’s Treasure Hunts, you go round and are given goals, which contain you exploring the Kitakami area. You’ll be taught concerning the folks story of The Loyal Three and see how individuals rejoice their tradition and the historical past that got here earlier than it.
Consequently, Kitakami does really feel extra alive than Paldea. Although there’s just one city in Mossui and one other populated space within the Kitakami Corridor, there are much more NPCs strolling round with extra diversified buildings. The landscapes additionally really feel extra populated and produce some much-needed variety; the sheer verticality of the area is enjoyable to expertise. Mountain caves and paths lead as much as hidden springs and huge vistas make climbing and heading up really feel extraordinarily rewarding, though there are nonetheless a number of too many barren spots and open areas with too few Pokémon idling about.
When it comes to new issues to do, there’s an entire sidequest line that includes Pirrin the photographer, which helps change the tempo of the DLC up a bit, and a minigame in Ogre Oustin’ – which we’re not likely in love with given how uneven the visuals are on this specific part and the way irritating it’s if you’re taking part in it alone.
Past that, new options are few and much between, which signifies that sore factors stick out all of the extra, notably with battles. Flip-based fight continues to be extremely sluggish, with stiff animations taking you out of the motion. However in the event you’ve crushed the principle story and also you occur to have a celebration of high-levelled Pokémon, you’ll most likely wipe the ground with a lot of the battles – which is a disgrace as a result of there are some probably difficult encounters. The sequence’ age-old issues and its want to stay to its roots typically come again to chew, and it is in battle that that is most noticeable.
Luckily, the Pokémon and the world do a variety of heavy lifting that helped us nonetheless benefit from the DLC. If we have been to choose one true spotlight of The Teal Masks, it will be the brand new legendary Pokémon Ogerpon, who may presumably be within the working for essentially the most lovely legendary of all time. We gained’t spoil why, however we’re critical. Truthfully, the entire new Pokémon listed here are nice, with the legendaries being closely tied to the story, and each Dipplin and Poltchageist having excellent designs and being nice to make use of in battle.
When all is alleged and carried out, nonetheless, Kitakami left us wanting extra, in each an excellent and a nasty manner. On the one hand, The Teal Masks’s story is lighthearted and pleasant to undergo, and the 2 principal characters and the legendary Pokémon actually shine. However Sport Freak’s refusal to let go of the previous, and this entry’s continued efficiency woes, means we’re nonetheless wishing for extra.
Conclusion
The Teal Masks is a enjoyable diversion for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet gamers that builds on the bottom sport’s strengths, but additionally exposes its weaknesses that rather more. Luckily, these strengths sparkle and Terastalize right into a breezy, enjoyable expertise that delivers some wealthy regional storytelling, nice characters, and a few unbelievable new Pokémon. We needed extra, although — extra love and care put into the visuals and the battles. The Indigo Disk has an opportunity to construct on the foundations The Teal Masks has laid, and we hope that is precisely what it can do.
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