Following the still-fresh tradition of what DLC in a Pokemon game entails, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet offers players two additional maps and looks into regions beyond the newest region, Paldea, established in the main game. While the bonus maps aren’t quite the size and don’t have the full expansiveness of the main-game map, all three offer something for players to appreciate.
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Since each map is themed distinctly from the last, players can easily figure out which areas are better suited for their own interests or challenges. Outside of that, however, the theming and design of the maps can easily sort them from a pleasant visit to an annoying trip. From middling to great, the three main maps in Scarlet and Violet quickly fall into place.
3
Kitakami
A Touch Of History
The Land of Kitakami is not a bad world map by any means, compared to various zones in previous game entries, but it does feel the weakest of the three in the Generation Nine games. While the overall narrative to Kitakami is second only to the far-longer story of the main game, with players of all kinds falling in love with Ogerpon’s story, the actual location leaves something to be desired. The most immediate issue players realize with Kitakami is the lack of convenient flying spots, which in theory would let players better explore the area, but in reality leads to a distinct feeling of having to go the extra step for something that should be faster.
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Beyond the inconvenience of limited instant flying access, Kitakami doesn’t have as many interesting areas as the other two maps. The Crystal Pool and the Timeless Woods feel like the only two spots to ever explore in this subset of Johto, with the other locations around the mountain ultimately acting like spots for the story to unfold and not return to. The imposing nature of Oni Mountain doesn’t fully land, as it mostly resembles a giant brown lump of clay unless the player is near town.
2
Paldea
Back To School
The newest full region, Paldea offers players a proper look at what an open-world is like in a Pokemon game. A large map with numerous biomes to find an array of Pokemon within, the intent of Paldea is a fantastic start to open-world Pokemon beyond the more limited scope of Legends: Arceus. In practice, however, the actual impact of the region doesn’t quite translate as ideally as players might hope, to say nothing of technical issues that somehow persist to this day. The emptiness, strange terrain, and often awkward Pokemon spawns hold Paldea back from truly hitting the same highs as its narrative does.
Unlike the DLC maps, the immense size of Paldea leads to plenty of often bland or empty spaces, with little variation of long, flat plains of grass. The environment feels less specifically sculpted than areas in Kitakami or the Blueberry Academy, given there’s also a need to fit a certain size for players to explore at various angles, with often bizarre-looking walls of rock blocking areas apart. Additionally, the slightly rough presentation of Paldea causes some Pokemon to spawn in empty walls, which doesn’t seem to happen as often in the DLC areas, causing immense annoyance in case a shiny appears.
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Notably, however, the presence of Area Zero adds several positive points to Paldea’s map, given how well the subsection of the region excels in atmosphere and music. The design and presentation of Area Zero truly evokes the strange, otherworldly, and dangerous energy of all the Paradox Pokemon, further helping the tragedy and destruction of the Professor. Everything about Area Zero helps to smooth the rougher edges of Paldea properly, which succeeds in the variety of environments presented and provides plenty of Pokemon to find in surprising spots. As a stepping stone for future open-world Pokemon games, Paldea isn’t too bad a place to start.
1
Blueberry Academy
The New Old Regions
A collection of some of the most recognizable locations across several regions, the Terarium of Blueberry Academy feels like the best use of an open-world map in Scarlet and Violet. Each area has distinct visuals and plenty of details for players to appreciate, like nests for bird Pokemon to return to or underground areas with completely different Pokemon than above ground, leading to a map that is a treat to fly or ride through.
Since the Terarium has plenty of callbacks to earlier games, veteran Pokemon players can easily find classic locations, like the spot in the Canyon Biome that is identical to the Nature Preserve in Black 2 and White 2 or how the Savanna Biome is entirely inspired by the original Safari Zone. The biomes may be harshly separated, but each spot is more than lively and well-themed to either the dry savanna, the mountainous canyon, the tropical coastal, and the frozen polar biomes. Additionally, all the locations easily or primarily accessible once flying is unlocked adds even more to the map, as the verticality adds grandeur to the artificial region beneath Unova.
- Released
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November 18, 2022
- ESRB
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E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Multiplayer
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Local Multiplayer
- Engine
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Proprietary Engine