I’ve spent over 400 hours withPokémon Scarlet and Violet, and I realized why this is one of the best games in the series, despite how problematic it is in certain aspects.Released in 2022, the first Generation 9 titles take you to Paldea, a brand-new region filled with new Pokémon to encounter. The release of these games has also marked theexpansion of the National Pokédexto over 1,000 creatures. The Gen 9 games also change a lot of the original structure seen in the franchise.
One of the most notable changes is that its open-world structure allows for a different approach to the story.Instead of going through a predetermined route of cities like in previous games, you can explore freely, though certain areas require you to unlock special abilities. Additionally, the game’s campaign is split into three sections, all of which can be tackled freely at your will. Recently, Ireturned to Paldea inPokémon Scarlet and Violet, and was reminded of why I love it.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Grows On You
There’s A Lot Of Fun In Paldea
While theperformance issues inScarlet and Violet, such as poor graphic quality, unstable FPS rates, and frequent crashes, are some of the most notable aspects about the games, they often obfuscate the titles’ qualities. As you play them,the Gen 9 games grow on you, as you start developing a deeper appreciation for their curve of progression. You challenge new Gym Leaders in a somewhat random order, follow the Path of Legends to face Titan Pokémon, or tackle Team Star.
Exploring the open-world of Paldea, being able to see creatures in the overworld, taking advantage of Outbreaks, and challenging Tera Raids are all exciting and offer hundreds of hours of fun –something I can attest to with my 400 hours of gameplay, most of which stems from after IbeatPokémon Scarlet and Violet’s campaign. These are some of the titles I spent the most amount of time with, and despite all their problems, I consider them to be some of the best in the series.
The Switch 2 Fixes Some Of Scarlet & Violet’s Biggest Problems
The New Update Fixes A Lot Of The Performance Issues
The good news is that the games’ technical issues have been acknowledged by Nintendo and slightly addressed over the years. However, withthe games’ Nintendo Switch 2 version, they feel entirely different. The lingering performance problems that plagued it have been almost entirely fixed with thePokémon Scarlet and VioletNintendo Switch 2 update, aside from a guarantee that it runs at 60 FPS.
The Gen 9 games aren’t perfect and as much as the franchise has space to improve, they don’t quite reach the limit of their potential. Even so, amidst all their problems, these games are fun, the gameplay is exciting, and the campaign is heartwarming, makingPokémon Scarlet and Violetsome of my favorites in the series.
