Summary
Although the initial reception of Gen 9 games was not great on the technical and performance side,Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare arguably one of the biggest upgrades the series has gotten in modern times, and they are in the same league asPokemon Legends: Arceusin these regards. Part of what madePokemon Scarlet and Violetincredible games is the fun one can have with a fully open-worldPokemongame, encountering critters in the wilds and exploring every nook and cranny in search of secrets or easter eggs. However, as much as The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk DLCs further improve the experience of playing Gen 9 games, they fall flat in one big area wherePokemon Sword and Shieldpreemptively succeeded.
This is important to keep in mind when seeing howPokemon Scarlet and Violetare flocking back toSword and Shieldafter The Indigo Disk, as it highlights the biggest issue with Gen 9 games and what Gen 10 needs to learn before it releases - possibly sometime in 2025 or 2026. Although Gen 8 was received rather poorly overall, especially prior to the release of the Crown Tundra DLC, it ended up being a solid generation when it comes to the endgame loop - and that’s where Gen 9 misses the mark.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Endgame Loop is Irredeemably Broken
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Endgame is Repetitive and Not Rewarding
The main issue is thatPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s endgameafter The Indigo Disk has not changed much, with the biggest allure coming from catching every returning starter in their shiny forms or collecting past Legendaries from the Snacksworth quests. These are valuable things to do in the game, but the actual endgame content is currently limited to farming Tera Raids and completing events where exclusive Pokemon are added, such as the 7-star Tera Raid bosses.
7-star Tera Raid bosses inPokemon Scarlet and Violetcan be exciting because they are essentially collectibles, with these critters all having the exclusive Mightiest Mark as well as perfect IVs. And though this may be good for the game long-term, it doesn’t fix the biggest problem that Gen 9 has had since launch, and that is the endgame grind. InPokemon Scarlet and Violet, the main farm players have is to get materials and Tera Shards from Raids, and as replayable as that may be, it pales in comparison to what Gen 8 had to offer.
Why Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Dynamax Adventures Are The Best Endgame in The Series
Dynamax Adventures Are The Crown Jewel of Gen 8
Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Dynamax Adventures remain one of the best, if not the single best, activities in the entire franchise, and that’s because they are replayable and offer great rewards. One can potentially get everyshiny Legendary Pokemonavailable in Gen 8 through Dynamax Adventures, outside of new ones or some rare cases of shiny-locked encounters, and that alone is a big reason whyPokemon Sword and Shieldcurrently bring more value to the table than Gen 9 does. After beating the game, there is not much else to do inPokemon Scarlet and Violet, and Gen 8 fixes that.
Instead,Pokemon Sword and Shieldhave an endgame activity that is highly replayable, potentially very rewarding, and one where player agency is at its highest. In fact, players can opt to catch and then keep several pocket monsters during Dynamax Adventures, but there will always be a Legendary at the end. This Legendary can be swapped out for a random one, or it can be kept over and over, allowing players to essentially shiny-hunt it until they find it. There is nothing comparable toDynamax Adventures inPokemon Scarlet and Violet, as Tera Raid bosses are shiny-locked, and so are all the returning Legendaries, meaning Gen 8 fortunately atoned for its successor’s sins and showedPokemongames can and should get meaningful grinds.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you may join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
