Editor’s Note: The expansion of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is divided into two parts and cannot be purchased separately. Due to this, we have decided to share our impressions of Part One and will update it with a full review of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero when both parts are available. The score attached to this review is subject to change based on this. 💥🎮🌟💯
The fan reception to Scarlet and Violet’s launch was varied within the community. Every Pokemon fan seems to know what’s best for the series, and they were happy to share their opinions on Scarlet and Violet with anyone who would listen. Some fans criticized the bugs, struggling frame rate, and other technical problems, while others appreciated the new mechanics, open world, and story enough to overlook these issues. Whichever side you fell on, the community was split as always. 🤔📊🕹️
However, as time goes on, the community is starting to cool off. Competitive players, who have stuck around for the long-term, have delved deep into the meta. This is where Pokemon shines, and The Teal Mask enhances that aspect of the series with new and returning Pokemon, more TMs and moves, and some welcome quality-of-life changes. All of this is wrapped up in a vibrant new region with a heartfelt story. While The Teal Mask doesn’t address Scarlet and Violet’s technical performance, its changes and additions provide an exciting first part of a larger expansion. 💪💙🌍📖
The Teal Mask is presented as a class field trip. A few students are randomly chosen to study abroad in a new region called Kitakami, inspired by rural Japan. Your character is one of the lucky few, and you are whisked away to the countryside. It’s an engaging introduction that quickly introduces the new area and allows you to catch new and returning Pokemon. 🏞️🔎🍃🌸
Kitakami shares many geographical features with Paldea, such as rolling green hills, serene lakes with waterfalls, and a prominent mountain in the center of the map. However, what sets Kitakami apart is its rich culture. The people who call Kitakami home deeply revere the Loyal Three, a trio of legendary Pokemon similar to the legendary birds or dogs from previous generations. Your assignment as a student is to explore the Kitakami region and uncover the story of the Loyal Three and the Ogre. It’s a simple setup, but it effectively familiarizes you with the region, its history, and the characters. 🗾🏞️🌌📜
The heart and soul of The Teal Mask lies in its new characters: Carmine and Keiran. These siblings were born and raised in Kitakami and attend Blueberry Academy. As you explore the region, they provide personal experiences and local insight. Keiran, in particular, struggles with acceptance, mirroring the plight of the Loyal Three and the Ogre. The story builds to a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose ends in the Kitakami region while setting the stage for the second expansion. 😃👥💓👥🌟
The Teal Mask offers more than just a compelling story. It introduces new and returning Pokemon that fit thematically within the region and its culture. Additionally, it brings back fan favorites, adding depth to the Scarlet and Violet Pokedex. The expansion also introduces new moves, such as Grassy Glide, Syrup Bomb, and Matcha Gotcha, which could potentially impact the competitive scene. Furthermore, the added TMs make certain Pokemon viable again, offering new strategic possibilities. 🐾🔥🌳⚔️🛡️
However, the lack of a Battle Tower or similar endgame feature limits the opportunity to fully test these new and returning Pokemon. The online functionality is decent but not ideal for exploring different strategies and builds. This is a core component missing from the Scarlet and Violet expansion. It’s anticipated that the second expansion will address this, but for now, it feels incomplete. 🌐🎮💢🏆
One glaring flaw of The Teal Mask, shared with Scarlet and Violet, is its technical performance. The new region suffers from low frame rates, poor textures, and visual bugs. While there have been minor fixes in update 2.0.1, such as smoother navigation in the Pokemon Box, the overall technical quality remains subpar. 🐛🚫🔌📉
Summing up my feelings on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has been challenging. In my review of the base game, I praised it as one of the best mainline Pokemon games in years, and after spending over 350 hours with it, I still stand by that. The Teal Mask continues to deliver exciting content, but the technical issues persist, hindering the overall experience. However, for hardcore competitive players and fans eager to explore more of the Pokemon world, there is still plenty to enjoy. 🎮🌟🌈🌍
In conclusion, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask offers a captivating story, new and returning Pokemon that fit thematically within the region, and exciting additions to the competitive scene. However, the technical performance issues continue to be a letdown, obscuring the expansion’s true potential. With the second part of the expansion on the horizon, it remains to be seen if these issues will be addressed. Nonetheless, for fans of the series, The Teal Mask is a worthwhile addition and a glimpse of what is yet to come. 🌟🔥👥🕹️🗺️
