Wednesday’s Pokémon Presents revealed new information about Pokémon Scarlet and Violet such as the game’s gimmick, Terastallizing, and story details.
The showcase revealed Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set in Paldea, an open world in which players can choose their own way to explore. The world features the usual eight gyms that players can tackle, but that’s not the only story in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Besides the gym battles, players will have two other main stories to go through.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduces academies
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, players will be enrolled in an academy. Scarlet players will be going to the Naranja Academy, while Violet players will have the Uva Academy. Here, an independent study project awaits players, called the Treasure Hunt. However, according to the Pokémon Presents, it seems that this Treasure Hunt is separate from the three stories players get to experience.
Players can also go freely back and forth between these stories.
Terastallizing: Scarlet and Violet’s gimmick
Every Pokémon comes with a gimmick, such as Mega Evolution, Gigantamax, etc. Generation 9 comes with the Terastal Phenomenon, which sees Pokémon transform into crystal-like versions of themselves, sometimes with type-changing effects, depending on the Tera Type. All Paldean Pokémon can Terastallize.
Scarlet and Violet also feature Tera Raids, which lets players catch Pokémon with rare Tera Types. These raids let players battle in co-op mode with their friends, but players don’t have to wait their turn. This way, friends can time their attacks to get the upper hand.
New Pokémon revealed
Of course, a new region comes with new Pokémon, and the Pokémon Presents revealed a few new ones: Paldean Wooper, Fidough and Cetitan. More in-game footage of the starters was also shared, as well as the new legendaries, which are rideable on land, water and in the air. Both of them have wheels, but only Violet’s legendary, Miraidon, actually uses them. Koraidon just kind of awkwardly runs on four legs.
The Pokémon Presents also revealed some of the new locations and NPCs, such as your friends/rivals/classmates Nemona, Arven and Penny, and Ice-type gym leader Grusha.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set to release worldwide on Nintendo Switch on Nov. 18.
