Ever since the base game's release, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have been plagued with controversy after controversy. While most agreed it was a good game, myself included, it was hard to deny the technical issues holding it back from true greatness. Sadly, the trend continues here with the second and final part of the DLCs, the Indigo Disc. At a steep 53 AUD, I cannot say the price point matches the quality we are given.
Not all is bad, however. Were the two DLCs around 40 AUD, I would probably be more positive. As it stands, Scarlet and Violet are an embarrassment in showcasing how little the developers actually care. This DLC is arguably the worst performing compared to the other DLC and the base game, with frequent dipping below 30fps and even freezing for a couple of seconds while traversing. I am annoyed they have charged us money twice for a product they refused to get to a stable condition. If the next Pokémon games have these same issues, it will straight up not be a purchase from me.
You may notice I gave this a 3/5, despite my harsh criticism. That is due to there being actual good things within. For one, there are a lot of great ideas, such as controlling a Pokémon directly. The issue therein lies there, and prevents it from any higher of a score. These are good ideas, and not implemented to any real potential. In a more polished game and greater purpose, these could have been more exciting mechanics.
The Blueberry Academy itself, the location we get to explore, it's... fine. At the least, it feels more impactful than Kitikami. Beyond the awful performance and severely lacklustre visuals, we have on our hands a serviceable land divided into four environs. The returning Pokémon are more plentiful than Kitakami.
The challenge is arguably the best thing about the Indigo Disc. Taking place in Unova, it borrows the mechanic of double battles and turns them into the standard for battling, aka the competitive format. This one simple change adds so much, allowing trainers to utilise actual strategy in their compositions. A trainer, for example, could have a Pokémon with Volt Absorb and an Alolan Golem with an Electric type Explosion to deal heavy damage to you and heal its partner. While still Pokémon at the end of the day, this adventure stands out as one of the most challenging to date. I was excited to battle each trainer I could, to see what type of strategy they would employ. Very well done.
Lastly, and unfortunately is a negative point, is the story. This is one element Teal Mask did better than this DLC. The only new character who makes any kind of meaningful impact is Drayton, one of the Elite 4, and related to Drayden. Carmine and Kieran make a return; the former is serviceable, perhaps even a delight at times. Unfortunately, despite a major plot point, Kieran I felt was a let-down. Something about his arc felt rushed, not given enough time to really show its full potential. But the biggest disappointment in regards to the story is Terapagos, the mascot Legendary, as well as leaving numerous plot points unresolved. As this is an unspoiled review, I won't specify what I disliked, albeit it should not be difficult to guess if you have played through it.
I really, really hope this series won't continue to drown in mediocrity of be dictated by the greed and blindness of the devs. We all deserve better than what we have been given as of late.
Not all is bad, however. Were the two DLCs around 40 AUD, I would probably be more positive. As it stands, Scarlet and Violet are an embarrassment in showcasing how little the developers actually care. This DLC is arguably the worst performing compared to the other DLC and the base game, with frequent dipping below 30fps and even freezing for a couple of seconds while traversing. I am annoyed they have charged us money twice for a product they refused to get to a stable condition. If the next Pokémon games have these same issues, it will straight up not be a purchase from me.
You may notice I gave this a 3/5, despite my harsh criticism. That is due to there being actual good things within. For one, there are a lot of great ideas, such as controlling a Pokémon directly. The issue therein lies there, and prevents it from any higher of a score. These are good ideas, and not implemented to any real potential. In a more polished game and greater purpose, these could have been more exciting mechanics.
The Blueberry Academy itself, the location we get to explore, it's... fine. At the least, it feels more impactful than Kitikami. Beyond the awful performance and severely lacklustre visuals, we have on our hands a serviceable land divided into four environs. The returning Pokémon are more plentiful than Kitakami.
The challenge is arguably the best thing about the Indigo Disc. Taking place in Unova, it borrows the mechanic of double battles and turns them into the standard for battling, aka the competitive format. This one simple change adds so much, allowing trainers to utilise actual strategy in their compositions. A trainer, for example, could have a Pokémon with Volt Absorb and an Alolan Golem with an Electric type Explosion to deal heavy damage to you and heal its partner. While still Pokémon at the end of the day, this adventure stands out as one of the most challenging to date. I was excited to battle each trainer I could, to see what type of strategy they would employ. Very well done.
Lastly, and unfortunately is a negative point, is the story. This is one element Teal Mask did better than this DLC. The only new character who makes any kind of meaningful impact is Drayton, one of the Elite 4, and related to Drayden. Carmine and Kieran make a return; the former is serviceable, perhaps even a delight at times. Unfortunately, despite a major plot point, Kieran I felt was a let-down. Something about his arc felt rushed, not given enough time to really show its full potential. But the biggest disappointment in regards to the story is Terapagos, the mascot Legendary, as well as leaving numerous plot points unresolved. As this is an unspoiled review, I won't specify what I disliked, albeit it should not be difficult to guess if you have played through it.
I really, really hope this series won't continue to drown in mediocrity of be dictated by the greed and blindness of the devs. We all deserve better than what we have been given as of late.