Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: The Teal Masks on Swap
Earlier than moving into it, I need to state upfront I didn’t go into the Teal Masks DLC with an open thoughts. I stored my expectations low, primarily due to how the primary DLC of the Pokemon Sword and Defend video games, The Isle of Armor, went down, which was a large number. Whereas the Teal Masks was a enjoyable expertise for what it was, it definitely shouldn’t have taken practically a full yr after the sport’s launch for it to be launched.
The Teal Masks DLC Storyline [Spoiler Warning]
![Carmine and Kieran in the Teal Mask DLC of Pokemon Scarlet/Violet](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pokemon-Scarlet-Violet-Carmine-Kieran.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Let’s begin with the principle storyline for the DLC. You’re known as to Naranja Academy to fulfill with a brand new professor, Briar, who invitations you to Kitakami Island for a faculty journey alongside some college students from Blueberry Academy. Blueberry Academy is predicated within the Unova area, which strongly hints we might even see Pokemon Black & White remakes someday subsequent yr. Nonetheless, once more, I’ll maintain my expectations low primarily based on what occurred with “Sensible Diamond and Shining Pearl.”
If you arrive on the Island, you meet with the 2 fundamental characters of the DLC, the sibling duo of Carmine and Kieran. For what it’s price, they did a reasonably good job with the dynamic between the 2, as I’ve a youthful brother myself. The principle gist of the story revolves across the legend of “The Loyal Three and The Ogre.” We had been taught that Ogre was the unhealthy man and the Loyal Three had been the great guys, however as an alternative, it was the exact opposite as we dove additional into the story. Making “The Ogre” into the lovely inexperienced masks Pokemon, Ogerpon, was undoubtedly the fitting name as a way to win the participant’s coronary heart over.
Whereas deciphering the reality behind Ogerpon, we additionally begin to see the crack in Kieran’s psyche, who faucets into his anger a number of instances, to the purpose the place he virtually places on the Teal Masks, which was meant for Ogerpon. I undoubtedly loved seeing Kieran’s character development all through the DLC. From a shy, scared little child to supposedly changing into a future antagonist by the top of the DLC, swearing vengeance in opposition to us for taking Ogerpon from him. I’m very excited to see what occurs to him when he reveals up once more, presumably within the subsequent DLC, The Indigo Disk.
The DLC wraps up with us befriending and catching Ogerpon, clearing its title and now not hated by the townsfolk, and saying goodbye to the sibling duo till additional discover. Total, the storyline was enjoyable, had an incredible premise, and had a extra significant impression than the Isle of Armor for certain. That stated, I do have some gripes.
For starters, for a DLC titled “The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero,” the DLC had nearly nothing to do with it, solely mentioning it a couple of instances when Professor Briar was current, as she said she was serious about discovering its secrets and techniques. In any other case, no new Paradox Pokemon had been launched, nor had been there any references to the occasions that happened in the course of the base sport.
The Teal Masks felt extra like a facet story/what-if journey moderately than a paid continuation of what occurred in Scarlet & Violet. The mascot of the DLC, Ogerpon, additionally had nothing to do with Space Zero, because it isn’t a Paradox Pokemon, although it was capable of change Tera-typings, which was cool. It’s clear The Teal Masks was meant to be a setup for what would possibly happen in The Indigo Disk, however even nonetheless, the truth that Space Zero had nearly nothing to do with the DLC undoubtedly stung.
Overshadowed Gameplay
![Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Okidogi Battle](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pokemon-Scarlet-Violet-Okidogi-Image-3.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Transferring onto the gameplay, Scarlet & Violet have already handled their fair proportion of bashing for the poor graphics and technical points, however the Teal Masks didn’t enhance upon it. Kitakami Island may be very small, solely taking on possibly a nook portion of the Paldea area itself. Nonetheless, they do make up for it by including extra consideration to element in sure facets of the Island moderately than throwing a plain texture over it.
That is very true for essentially the most significant slice of the Island, Oni Mountain. Oni Mountain redefines what a cavern-like house ought to be like, particularly in comparison with what we noticed within the Paldea area. Large rock constructions resembling tooth as in case you had been in a jaw. Big waterfalls that lead out to some plains and extra. Total, they did a strong job with Oni Mountain and Kitakami Island itself.
That stated, in case you play the DLC after you beat the principle storyline of Scarlet & Violet, which the massive majority of the participant base has at this level, then the enhancements made to the panorama are totally overshadowed by the flexibility to scale the mountain and fly in your respective Legendary to your subsequent vacation spot right away. This leads me to the following level, particularly, problem scaling.
As talked about earlier than, the massive majority of gamers who hopped into the brand new DLC are those that have already crushed the principle storyline of Scarlet & Violet. This implies all of their Pokemon are both within the 70’s or excessive 60’s once they beat the ultimate boss, AI Turo/Sada. Even in case you had stopped taking part in proper then and there, your workforce would nonetheless be high-leveled and able to go.
At no level within the DLC did I really feel threatened by an opposing coach, as nearly the entire fights had been with pre-evolved Pokemon within the 70’s, aside from the ultimate battles with Carmine and Kieran, who each had been comparatively straightforward to defeat. I’m not asking for a large leap in energy just like the Volo battle in Legends: Arceus, however it might’ve been good to have a shock problem in some form or type.
“New” Pokemon Added
![Pokemon Scarlet & Violet New Pokemon](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pokemon-Scarlet-Violet-Ursaluna-Image-3.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Lastly, the Teal Masks launched a measly eight “new” Pokemon, with solely 4 of them being model new whereas the remaining are extra regional variants of pre-existing Pokemon. It’s an improve from the Isle of Armor, which gave us one new regional variant and two “new” Pokemon, nevertheless it doesn’t change we needed to wait practically a yr for 4 “new” Pokemon.
In the meantime, the remaining 192 entries of the Kitakami Pokedex are Pokemon that had been already within the base sport and a few returning ones from older video games. Whereas it was good to see some returning faces, it might’ve been higher to see some recent ones.
Total, the Teal Masks DLC was exactly what I assumed it might find yourself being: a small replace that will take me a couple of hours at most to finish. Whereas the standard of life adjustments are noticeable, it doesn’t make up for Scarlet & Violet’s pre-existing graphical points, and the dearth of recent Pokemon leaves a bitter style in my mouth. I’ve larger hopes for the following DLC, the Indigo Disk, however it might’ve been good if the identical effort that’s going into the Indigo Disk was additionally put into the Teal Masks.
Execs
Sturdy story with strong potential for future updates.
Up to date fashions & animations look a lot cleaner.
Higher design to surroundings/extra consideration to element.
Cons
Hardly any new Pokemon added.
Story had nothing to do with Space Zero.
No problem/improve in problem.
Not a lot to do in put up sport.
Launch Date
September 13, 2023