Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Teal Mask and Indigo Disk DLC promise more content for the games, but they will need to avoid their efforts coming across as underwhelming. The DLC has a wealth of potential options that it could add in terms of both new additions and reviving things from the past. If either of the DLCs fails to provide something substantial, then it will be a disappointment considering how long players will have been waiting for their release. Teal Mask and Indigo Disk need to be more than mild expansions for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Pokemon's first foray into DLC was Pokemon Sword and Shield's Expansion Pass, featuring the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra. These DLCs were released on a schedule, with Crown Tundra coming out three months after the release of Isle of Armor. Both expansions added new locations named after the DLCs themselves, each teeming with new Pokemon for the player to catch. Although they could be accessed early, these expansions featured some endgame-level tasks for players to undertake, making them mostly suited as post-game content. So far, Scarlet and Violet's DLCs already look to follow in their footsteps by introducing a new area to explore.
Teal Mask And Indigo Disk Both Need To Add Something To Scarlet And Violet
Even though they are expansions for the same game, Sword and Shield's Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra were not of the same quality. While both expanded the Pokedex with more Pokemon for players to find, Isle of Armor ended up having far less to offer. Although Isle of Armor had an associated storyline complete with a new rival and unique Pokemon in Kubfu and Urshifu, the plot was quite short. In comparison, Crown Tundra introduced the Dynamax Adventure, a side game that gave players the opportunity to catch Legendaries. Comparing the two, Crown Tundra easily had something better to offer.
Although Teal Mask and Indigo Disk's offerings are still largely unknown, fans worry that the halves of Scarlet and Violet's Hidden Treasure of Area Zero could be similarly unbalanced. After all, Crown Tundra's Dynamax Adventure outshone everything else in both halves of Pokemon Sword and Shield's DLC without much contest. In addition to the new Pokemon involved, each half of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC will need to introduce some new feature to the game, and each will need to feel like something that was worth waiting for. Otherwise, it will be harder to justify the value of that part of the DLC.
With Teal Mask as the first expansion for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it needs to hit the ground running by offering players something special right out of the gate. Scarlet and Violet are relying on Teal Mask to start their DLC off on the right foot, or else it threatens to underwhelm players again. The best way to approach this would be in a similar vein to Crown Tundra's Dynamax Adventure, introducing a fun and rewarding side activity for players. There are already several things that can be built off of, from the new setting to the Terastal mechanic, so Teal Mask has the tools to make something great.
Teal Mask needs to quickly show that The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is worth playing, and introducing something worth the cost will be a significant help in making it a success. By making something as good as Pokemon Sword and Shield's Dynamax Adventures as a part of the first DLC drop, fans will immediately have something worth digging into even after they have already completed the base game's main storylines. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be relying on both Teal Mask and Indigo Disk to add more meat to the games' already-strong endgame.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for the Nintendo Switch.