WithPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s upcoming Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC taking players to new locations like The Teal Mask’s Kitakami and The Indigo Disk’s Blueberry Academy, players will get to experience Gen 9 outside of the Paldea Region. However, while getting to adventure through new areas is to be expected in a game’s DLC,Pokemon Scarlet and Violetmiss a major opportunity to provide closure to the series' Gen 2 and Gen 6 games. Although it was rumored for some time, the lack of Kalos as a DLC location reaffirms both Gen 2 and Gen 6 as anomalies within the franchise.
The first 4 generations ofPokemongames were characterized by a formula of dual version releases followed by an enhanced third version later on. From Gen 5 onward, the initial dual version releases remained, but the series shifted away from an enhanced third version, opting instead to try different things like direct sequels, two alternate versions with different storylines, and eventually DLC. However, as the series played with this formula for mid-generation releases, Gen 6 was skipped over entirely leavingPokemon X and Ywithout a third game, continued story, or even closure.
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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s DLC Misses the Chance to Give Closure to Gen 6
Out of all theregions in thePokemonfranchise, Kalos seems the most incomplete due to the lack of a follow-up forPokemon X and Y. Since Gen 6, players have been wondering if they’ll ever get the chance to revisit the region in future generations, and whenPokemon Sword and ShieldandPokemon Scarlet and Violetintroduced regions that would seemingly be very close to Kalos based on their real-world inspirations, the dream of returning to Kalos seemed closer than ever. Unfortunately, both generations of games failed to capitalize on this opportunity and the series has yet to bring players back to wrap up Gen 6.
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC seemed like the perfect chance to take players back to Kalos given the potential for lore connections between theTerastal Phenomenon and Mega Evolution. The Teal Mask and Indigo Disk stories each allow players to explore new locales outside of the Paldea Region, but neither are part of Kalos. Without a return to Kalos in either of these ideal generations, it seems like players won’t get a chance to revisit the region until Gen 6 receives remakes some years down the line.
Pokemon’s Gen 2 Remains an Anomaly Thanks to Scarlet and Violet’s DLC
Not only does a lack of Kalos DLC inPokemon Scarlet and Violetleave Gen 6 in an awkward spot, but it also makes Gen 2 stand out even more as the only generation that allowed players to travel through two full regions and battle all 16 gyms in one game.Pokemon Gold and Silverare still held by many fans as the best in the series due to the amount of content present across two full regions, andPokemon Crystalis often seen as the pinnacle of what aPokemongame can be as it is an enhanced third version that maintains the ability to travel across two regions. No generation has been able to replicate both of these feats, leaving Gen 2 as another outlier.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetwas the best chance the series had to repeat the miracle ofPokemon Crystalwith its DLC potentially offering not only enhanced features for the base game, but providing the chance to return to a previous region. However, it is understandable that the sheer size and scope ofPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s open worldwould make including a second full region a massive undertaking. For now, the Gen 2 games will remain as reminders of the early days of the franchise where Game Freak was still experimenting with what it wanted the series to become.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare available now for Nintendo Switch.
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