Pokemon is one of the biggest franchises in gaming, and has seen success on numerous platforms across many generations of hardware. Its origins on the Game Boy were humble, but as it caught traction through the early 2000s, the Game Freak-developed franchise never looked back. 26 years later it's stronger than ever, with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet set to release in the near future. Fans' anticipation seems to be at an all-time high, as the property has listened to consumer feedback after the somewhat lukewarm reception to the previous mainline titles, Sword and Shield.
The aforementioned games didn't do anything to advance the very same formula that the series has used for decades. With the boost in aesthetics and a new perspective as a result of the Switch being a home/portable console hybrid, the expectations were massive, and the games simply didn't live up to the hype in many critical ways. However, early this year, the release of Pokemon Legends: Arceus seemed to have moved the needle in a positive direction. There's evidence to suggest that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will carry on the momentum, providing gamers with the title they've always wanted and the game that Sword and Shield should have been.
The Problem with Sword and Shield
Pokemon Sword and Shield are largely victims of their own hype. The pair of games were so highly anticipated as they were the first mainline games to feature on a home console, and fans were salivating at the freedom that this change in design would bring. The issue wasn't helped by the promotional material that promised a Galar Region that was diverse and expansive, and while its United Kingdom inspiration made it feel unique, there wasn't a lot to do in it. It was frustrating, as the land's linearity was intrusive and players were only allowed to move the camera and feel a sense of freedom when in the Wild Area.
This space gave the Galar Region a less procedural feeling, but since the only real activity to do in the area was catch Pokemon, it quickly became clear that it was only really there to fill out the Pokedex once the main story was completed. There have been changes to the Wild Area to keep returning player engaged, but those who aren't completionists don't really have any reason to return, as the whole game feels on rails until then, and only really serves players looking to catch them all. The game design of Sword and Shield isolated many players, and left them wanting more. Those who cut their teeth on the likes of Ruby and Sapphire or Gold and Silver craved a franchise that grew with them, but the 2019 release proved that it had no real intention of doing so.
Pokemon's Open World Potential
The biggest issue with Pokemon at large - not just Sword and Shield - isn't its simplistic battle mechanics, nor its often overused visual style, but the total lack of non-linear levels. Open-world game design is the flavor of the future, and the more Pokemon avoids it, the older it feels. Sword and Shield, while three years old, are far from vintage games, but they often feel like it since the whole experience lacks the fluidity that the open-world formula can allow for. Pokemon Legends: Arceus did well to introduce some of the genre's mechanics to the franchise, but it failed to offer the same degree of freedom that its doppelganger The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild did.
Pokemon Sword and Shield are confirmed to be open-world experiences, reigniting much of the anticipation that Sword and Shield soured. This unlocks so much potential for the franchise, as hunting for cute or powerful pocket monsters has always been at the center of its success. Finding a flock of Fairy Types nestled in a corner of the world or restocking in PokeBalls at a traveling vendor would be a delight, instead of formulaically arriving at a PokeCenter when the story requires it.
Changing What the Pokedex Reflects
While it's unlikely that it will feature all the available Pokemon at Game Freak's disposal, Scarlet and Violet can correct one substantial flaw of Sword and Shield. Fans were disappointed, not necessarily at the number of characters available, but the absence of series' favorites. The Pokedex was littered with forgettable creatures, and though there were a few stand-outs, most of them likely won't leave a legacy as huge as the likes of Charizard, Snorlax, and Jigglypuff.
With "catch 'em all!" being the tagline for the whole franchise, Sword and Shield is put at an immediate disadvantage when none of the Pokemon truly feel worth capturing. However, satisfying older fans won't be the key to attracting younger audiences, so a balance has to be struck. Scarlet and Violet has the opportunity to highlight other types and forge something new, but refraining from ditching the very characters that made it so special is equally important. Sword and Shield forgot this, and 2022 could be the year that Pokemon finally gets it right.
Expectations Are Scarlet and Violet's Enemy
The Nintendo Switch has plenty of games that offer the best of their respective franchises, as the likes of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offer more content than ever before. Fans surely thought that Sword and Shield would have been the perfect opportunity for this philosophy to carry over to the beloved franchise, but it instead felt restrictive in so many essential ways. There's a huge gap between what players wanted and what the game ended up being, and the feedback has hopefully been loud enough for the franchise to finally take notice.
In Pokemon Sword and Shield, the visuals were outdated, the Pokedex was incomplete, and the level design felt like a product from a forgotten time. Scarlet and Violet can avoid this fate, as Game Freak are in the best possible position to take the next step for the franchise. There is more inspiration than ever in the industry, and when the very fabric of Pokemon lends itself so beautifully to change, its core features can all be developed instead of thrown away entirely. Forgetting the missteps of Sword and Shield will be easy for fans if the next game is something special, and early signs indicate that it very well could be.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are set to release in late 2022 for Nintendo Switch.
