Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Review Roundup

Game Freak and The Pokemon Company finally...AND I MEAN FINALLY!...shook up the tried and true Pokemon RPG formula with the release of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Looking at our review roundup from earlier this year, we can see that the gamble ultimately paid off with a Metascore of 86 from 40 reviews. GameFreak dubbed that game as a "warm up" for the next main adventure, so with Scarlet and Violet finally here, does it take this new direction even further? Here's the review roundup:  

GAMES RADAR (SCORE 3/5)
'The basic mechanics of Pokemon remain largely untouched – it's still catching, battling, and training as you remember it – and while that may be enough for many devotees, Generation 9 is a tougher sell for those who need more of a reason to engage with the series, impacted as it is by technical issues, mechanical oversights, and a lack of vision. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet should have been a bright and bold entry that sets the series up for future expansion, but an attempt to modernize while staying loyal to the past hasn't really succeeded in doing either one – and the headache doesn't help, to boot.'

For the full review please visit here.

GAMESPOT (SCORE 8/10)
'Fortunately, Scarlet and Violet run pretty well. Don't expect a buttery 60 frames per second, but during my time with the games, I haven't experienced any slowdowns or significant dips to the frame rate. Of course, a game like Pokemon doesn't demand rock-solid performance, but it is comforting to see that, despite all of the visual rough patches, performance holds up decently.While undercooked presentation and visual issues hold the games back, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are still the best mainline Pokemon games in years. They build off Pokemon Legends: Arceus's open-ended design in some thoughtful and surprising ways, and retain that same level of depth that the mainline series is known for.

For the full review please visit here.

SCREEN RANT (SCORE 4.5/5)
'Where does this leave Pokémon Scarlet & Violet in the context of the series at large? It's both the best iteration of the franchise and one of its most technically uneven entries. The highs are undoubtedly compelling and noteworthy, while the lows - especially performance ones - feel like they shouldn't be present in a AAA release from a studio and franchise with this much experience. All things considered, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is a must-play adventure for everyone, even for those who have yet to take the first step on their own Pokémon journey. Time will tell how many of its ideas remain in the following iterations, but Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is a great proof of concept for how the games can evolve, and the future is exceptionally bright for the long-tenured creature collector.'

For the full review please visit here.

GOD IS GEEK (SCORE 7.5/10)
'With a plethora of minor changes that add up to a feeling of a truly new game, and in going open world, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is the most ambitious, yet technically flawed game in the series to date. I am torn because it takes cues from the wonderful Pokemon Legends: Arceus without going all the way, and enacts changes long-term fans of the series will be delighted with, and the terastallized Pokemon could offer some seriously fantastic competitive battles up over the coming times. The new generation of Pokemon is also superb, with great move sets, types, and designs, and Paldea is a sprawling open world to explore, full of nooks and crannies to get lost in.If you can excuse the technical problems away due to how many fascinating ideas and mechanics Game Freak has thrown at Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, then make no mistake: this is a fantastic game underneath all of that.

For the full review please visit here.

VG247 (SCORE 4/5)
'Perhaps the best thing I can say is that this game feels more like the anime than ever. Part of that is down to the art, which continues to advance closer to the TV show. Part of that is down to the sense of openness, which imparts a real feeling that this is your adventure, and not just a rollercoaster where you experience somebody else’s. On balance, Legends: Areus probably just pips it based on the novelty factor of its entirely different approach, but Scarlet & Violet is a delightful vibe – and that vibe is difficult to diminish. What a year to be a Pokemon fan!'

For the full review please visit here.

NINTENDO LIFE (VIDEO REVIEW)

​Overall, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet currently sits at a Metascore of 78 from 36 reviews. In contrast, as stated above, its predecessor, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, garnered a score of 86 from 40 reviews. 

Purely from a mathematics standpoint, it seems Scarlet & Violet is a step back from Arceus, but from the majority of the reviews, it seems more of a crisis of identity. I am just happy they are taking more risks with the franchise, and I welcome another experiment next year.  

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