Even with their release date still a couple months away, Nintendo continues to reveal new details regarding its highly anticipate games, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Following the announcement back in February during a Pokemon Presents event, the ninth generation of this popular franchise looks to be taking inspiration not only from past games, but attempting to mix up the familiar formula as well. This includes an open world inside of the Mediterranean region of Paldea, complete with both new and returning Pokemon to capture.
However, one of the biggest announcements was a change to the traditional goal of defeating eight gym leaders in a specific order and then facing off against a final challenge against the regional champion. Nintendo has been pretty forthcoming with the details that players can now freely explore Paldea, breaking away from a specific order typically dictated by the game's overarching story. With the newest Pokemon Scarlet and Violet trailer, fans can now see all the different ways their story will evolve as they play.
Three stories are available for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players during their journey, each one offering a different style experience. For the traditionalists, Victory Road will feel the most familiar as it has players facing off against various gym leaders across the region to earn their badges and ultimately achieve Champion Rank. The trailer reveals Geeta, the chairwoman of the Pokemon League, the player's mentor and rival Nemona, as well as the Grass gym leader Brassius of Artazon Gym.
For those looking for something a bit different, Starfall Street allows the player to face off against Team Star, who the trailer describes as a bunch of rebellious students causing trouble for the school. Similar to the likes of past groups like Team Aqua, Skull, and even Rocket, Team Star has their own look and style. Once enough grunts are dealt with players can take on bosses who ride on top of a massive vehicle called the Starmobile kitted out with neon lights, flags, and other decorations. Ultimately, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players will have a chance to take on the boss of the Team Star FIre Crew, Mela.
Finally, players can check out the Path of Legends in a search for rare ingredients like the Herba Mystica, alongside an upperclassman named Arven. It seems these cooking ingredients can typically be found within Titan lairs, pitting players and Arven against massive Pokemon like the Stony Cliff Titan known as Klawf. In addition to the massive crab, the trailer also showcases a number of new and previously revealed Pokemon like Smoliv while also hinting at even more new ones like Armarouge and Ceruledge. Nintendo has recently confirmed that the Ghost/Fire type Ceruledge and Fire/Psychic Armarouge are actually exclusives to Violet and Scarlet respectively, forcing players to find a way to trade with a friend in order to claim them in their versions.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet release on November 18 for Nintendo Switch.
