PLEASE NOTE: This article contains MASSIVE Spoilers for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Proceed at your own risk.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet launched with players knowing very little about what Gen 9 had to offer as a whole, and the bulk of details about the games actually came from leaks for those who kept up with them. For example, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's version exclusives were not fully revealed ahead of launch, aside from things like Professor Sada and Turo being bound to their respective copies, as well as the new critters called Armarouge and Ceruledge. Even the in-game academy changes based on the version, and so does the uniform that players will be forced to wear throughout the game, but nothing hinted at story differences for Gen 9.
The main plot is essentially identical in both Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, with players having to go through all three paths in order to finish the game - collecting the Gym Badges, defeating Team Star bosses, and beating Titan Pokemon. Yet, there is a major difference in the final section of the game, where Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players finally delve into Area Zero as requested by the version-exclusive Professor at the end of Arven's storyline. The ending is the same for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet alike, but the way it pans out can drastically change the meaning of the story and the experience of those playing.
Why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Ending Feels Different Based on The Version
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Down in Area Zero, players discover that Koraidon and Miraidon are Paradox Pokemon that come from the past or the future, respectively, through a time machine built and operated by Professor Sada and Turo - or rather, an AI with a physical body modeled after the original scientists. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Paradox Pokemon are then revealed in the final battle in the main story as players are forced to take on Sada or Turo's AI, with the former using ancient versions of existing critters, and the latter relying on futuristic forms, instead.
Th game acts as the culmination of what Arven's search for Herba Mystica had laid the foundations of, and players learn not only that the boy grew up having to take care of himself due to his absentee parent, but he also risked his life before. In fact, Arven's wounded Mabosstiff, which eventually is restored to full health after it is fed sandwiches with the five different types of Herba Mystica, was attacked by a Paradox Pokemon in Area Zero. Furthermore, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Professors are revealed to have died in an accident in the Great Crater of Paldea, thus why the AI took over the laboratory.
Arven refers to his only parent, Professor Sada or Turo, depending on the version, as someone who spends a lot of time at work and with whom he has very few memories. Because having absentee parents can be a relatable life experience shared by gamers, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's story can have different meanings based on the version one is playing. An absentee father like Professor Turo may be a more common life experience, and thus it can hit close to home for some players.
Likewise, an absentee mother who is completely dedicated to working more than she is providing for her child can hit different strings, and it can make the overall narrative feel more harrowing in comparison. The Professors, or rather the AIs, eventually decide to take themselves to the past or the future, respectively, thus leaving Arven alone, but also stopping the time machine. Either way, despite there being no major divergence points in the overall plot in Gen 9 games, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players can walk out of their playthroughs with different feelings based on their life experiences and the version they picked.
PokemonScarlet and Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.
