Soapbox options allow our particular person writers and contributors to voice their opinions on sizzling subjects and random stuff they have been chewing over. Forward of tomorrow’s Pokémon Presents, Alana is hoping that The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero is an actual treasure for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s DLC, The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero, is a little bit of a thriller in the meanwhile. We all know it’s break up into two components – The Teal Masks is due out this Fall, whereas The Indigo Disk follows in Winter – and we all know the places, a number of characters, and a few returning (and new) Pokémon. However whilst somebody who liked Scarlet & Violet, regardless of its swathe of technical points, this DLC has some actual work to do if Sport Freak goes to win again disheartened followers.
We all know little or no at this second in time, and the Pokémon Presents August 2023 showcase will probably take away the masks and present us much more particulars, particularly for Half One. However the 9 months since Scarlet & Violet dropped haven’t precisely been the smoothest. The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero, and particularly The Teal Masks, is an actual probability for Sport Freak and The Pokémon Firm to make amends with the numerous followers who misplaced endurance with the bottom recreation; to embrace the components of Scarlet & Violet that make it particular, and easy over a number of the points that presently exist.
To be clear, I don’t suppose that’ll embody efficiency points, sadly — I feel that S.S. Anne has sailed — however I reckon there’s loads The Teal Masks can carry to the desk to reignite followers’ curiosity within the recreation, and convey a sceptical group of individuals again to a franchise they as soon as liked.
The Teal Masks – which shall be accessible after you’ve began your Treasure Hunt – is all a few college journey to Kitakami, a land impressed by its namesake Japanese city and the Iwate prefecture. On the centre of this story seems to be 4 model new Pokémon and the pageant at Kitakami village.
We’ve seen loads of Japanese-inspired areas in Pokémon earlier than, however Kitakami has the prospect to face out from the remainder of Paldea. My favorite a part of exploring Paldea was all the small pockets throughout the map with regional variations – there weren’t many, they usually had been usually nestled between big open, empty fields of… nothing, however discovering them was usually a pleasure. The bamboo thickets are one in all my favorite locations to go to, they usually really feel so completely different from the forests, plains, and arid lands of the remainder of Paldea.
Kitakami is overshadowed by an enormous mountain, and the individuals of the area stay at its base. We’ve additionally obtained Mossui City, which is your base hub throughout your time in Kitakami. The quick environment of layered cliff faces, a small waterfall, and stone partitions, make this look extra interesting than lots of the different cities within the base recreation. And even the Pokémon Heart – located exterior the principle constructing – seems very completely different from the drive-through-style hubs we obtained in Paldea.
The Teal Masks will really feel way more rural than plenty of the area. We had mountainous cities and a few smaller places, however Paldea went larger with lots of its residence cities, very like Sword & Defend. Huge when it comes to measurement, that’s. The attractive avenue markets evoke a humbler model of the Division Shops we’ve seen in earlier video games, and the extra rural setting ought to permit for an much more various set of locales.
The screenshots we’ve seen to date haven’t blown me away, however the potentialities are there. Kitakami is residence to apple orchards and rice paddies, the previous a transparent nod to Morioka. All the Japanese-inspired options carry again recollections of Kanto and Johto – the previous of which we’ve seen in full HD 3D due to Let’s Go, Pikachu & Eevee, however Kanto goes for a really completely different facet of Japan. Kitakami captures the essence of the time once I was a faithful Pokémon fan, and I can really feel the ripples of Johto’s historical, conventional Japanese inspirations right here.
If The Teal Masks needs to seize extra of the magic I’m on the lookout for, it’s going to have to take action with its story – however I’m not anticipating an excessive amount of. The Indigo Disk is most likely the place I’m going to get that Space Zero lore dump that I’m so determined for. No matter you consider Scarlet & Violet as a complete, there’s no denying that the tip sequences inside Space Zero are a number of the finest moments within the collection thus far. It’s a disgrace that efficiency points stopped lots of people from pushing via, however the music, ambiance, characters, and last battles made for an unbelievable capstone to a fractured expertise.
There’s nonetheless an opportunity The Teal Masks may result in some marvel, although. The 4 new Pokémon – Okidogi, Munkidori, Fezandipiti, and Ogerpon – have sturdy ties to Kitakami, and the sturdy regional id coupled with the folktales signifies that there are methods these new ‘mons might be tied into the mysterious house pocket on the centre of the crater in Paldea. Perhaps. How else may Pokémon of legend and historical past make an look? Nicely… some ways, however for the sake of Scarlet & Violet, Space Zero may be the reason for this. What do these crystals behind Ogerpon’s masks imply anyway?
I’m not holding out hope for that revelation in The Teal Masks, however The Indigo Disk completely has that probability. Terapagos – the turtle-like Pokémon – and Terarium, have clear visible hyperlinks and anomalies that line up completely with Space Zero. We all know a part of the historical past of the crater, the discoveries a personality named Heath made on the Herba Mystica, and the origin of the Terastal phenomenon. However there’s no manner there aren’t extra hidden treasures for Space Zero lurking in Terarium, or associated to Terapagos.
It’s arduous for me to get extraordinarily enthusiastic about The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero, however there’s hope. I preferred Sword & Defend significantly lower than I do Scarlet & Violet – regardless that the efficiency points and the post-game cycle of Tera Raids and lacklustre Thriller Items have not enticed me again too usually. However Sword & Defend’s DLC improved upon so many elements of the bottom recreation and embraced what made Galar stand out from the pack.
The Teal Masks is step one of this two-part journey towards a possible hidden treasure, the treasure that makes Pokémon as beloved as it’s. Might there be extra new Pokémon? Extra regional types? Or maybe extra Paradox Pokémon? And are there methods battles could be streamlined or sped up? We are able to hope for lots – and lots of of our needs received’t probably come true – however The Teal Masks must make me and lots of envious, wanting extra from the world of Paldea.
It could not clear up the sport’s tech issues, however Sport Freak has confirmed repeatedly that technical perfection is not a prerequisite to a magical expertise. It has an opportunity show that after once more, and I hope the Pokémon Presents offers us that first glimpse of the treasure that (hopefully) awaits us.
What do you wish to see from The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero? Tell us within the feedback.