After a few months of waiting, fans have been treated to a second trailer for Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. This showing introduced some new Pokemon and characters that would be populating the Spain-inspired region of the new games. The first version exclusive Pokemon professors were revealed, as well as the rival character and three new Pokemon. The November release date was also announced, alongside the two box legendaries. Game Freak is still holding back a lot of information, but this is more than enough to get fans excited.
A large part of this is due to the new open world. Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet take place in an open region with few barriers obstructing the player's movement. According to the official website, players can even choose to ignore the story and explore the world at their own pace. The ramifications of this have yet to be clarified, but it sounds like a true open world, as opposed to the multiple distinct maps that Pokemon Legends: Arceus offered. With a change this large, Game Freak can take its time revealing any other major gimmicks that are a part of Scarlet and Violet. However, one more was heavily featured in the new trailer, and it's one that makes the open world even more impressive.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Are Integrating Multiplayer Like Never Before
In one form or another, multiplayer has always been an integral part of the Pokemon franchise. In older games, players could form communities with other local Pokemon trainers to trade and battle with their monsters. As time went on, online play got added to the mix, and players were able to request anonymous trades online and participate in ranked battles. Pokemon Sword and Shield added another option to this in the form of Max Raid Battles, where several players link up and fight a powerful boss Pokemon. Some of these raids could prove to be quite challenging, but the rare Pokemon and unique Gigantamax forms that could be obtained from them often made them worth the effort.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's new multiplayer feature is built upon another, more obscure feature that Sword and Shield tested. Different players who are in the same part of a Wild Area have a chance of appearing in one another's games, rather like the ghosts in Dark Souls. There was no option for players to interact with one another, but the inputs of other players are accurately simulated in the host’s game. It's also possible to find another player's tent and enter it to have multiple Pokemon teams intermingle as their trainers cook curry together. These were very minor features, but added some nice moments of community to the otherwise flat Wild Areas. With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's four-player co-op being revealed, it's clear what those ideas were building toward.
Pokemon Journeys Can Truly Be Shared in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
As shown in the newest trailer, two-to-four players can exist in the same instance of Scarlet and Violet's world. These players are able to emote towards one another, and may be able to send trade or battle requests on the fly. The full list of features in this system is not yet known, but it seems like every trainer can run to a different corner of the map and remain connected. That is assuming their internet connection holds out, but whatever system allows players to wander on their own could save their progress and help them reconnect when necessary. Other activities could spring from Sword and Shield’s ideas, such as camping together or tackling special boss Pokemon in teams. There’s a lot of potential in this co-op feature alone, and the Generation 9 games seem designed around it.
Cooperative play emphasizes several parts of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. For one, the new cosmetic options for player characters are on full display, and an impressive amount of variety has already been seen on the example trainers in the trailer. Players can go beyond showing themselves off, as the popular follower Pokemon feature has seemingly returned in full force. This was present in Sword and Shield, but had to be unlocked in the DLC Wild Areas. Here, it looks like players can take out one of their Pokemon at any time, giving themselves an adventure buddy and letting other trainers marvel at their partner.
Co-op Could Change Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Completely
The ramifications of unparalleled multiplayer freedom in a Pokemon game could be immense. Assuming that players aren't restricted while using the feature, there could be genuine cooperative journeys as players explore the far reaches of Scarlet and Violet's region together. The cooperative battling feature from Pokemon Let's Go! could make a return, allowing players to fight and catch wild Pokemon above their strength levels. Taking on NPC trainers together may be too much to ask, but catching and fighting Pokemon together would make for a special experience. It would be even better if Pokemon Legends’ ball-throwing mechanics allow players to compete for the same Pokemon, opening the door to competitive mischief.
The end result of cooperative Pokemon adventuring is that it will feel like real friends or rivals exist in the player’s world, competing and growing in real time. The presence of a dynamic rival trainer pursuing their own Pokemon journey is something Pokemon fans have discussed for a long time, but they never could have imagined that they would have the chance to become that rival. Assuming performance or connection issues don't tarnish the experience, co-op in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet could make the old Pokemon formula feel brand new. When paired with the potential non-linearity of an open world, it seems like the potential for these new Pokemon games is limitless.
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet will be released on November 18 for Nintendo Switch.
