Unveiling the Dark Secrets of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Indigo Disk DLC: A Controversial Step Back from Gen 8!

Highlights

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet faced performance issues and leaks that affected the launch, potentially indicating a less compelling endgame.

The rare and exclusive Pokemon acquisition issues were not resolved in the Isle of Armor DLC for Pokemon Sword and Shield.

For Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Indigo Disk DLC, there should be a game mode resembling Gen 8's Dynamax Adventures, allowing players to engage in a significant endgame grind and providing an opportunity to capture previously encountered Pokemon.

Game Freak faced numerous challenges with the launch of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, including performance issues for players and leaks revealing the entire Paldean Pokedex before the game's release. The leak of the Teal Mask DLC prior to its launch added to the difficulties. Now, there are increasing rumors and alleged leaks for the upcoming second expansion, The Indigo Disk. This expansion will allow players to explore Blueberry Academy in Unova, meet new and familiar characters, and encounter different Pokemon. Although recent leaks have focused on the Tera Forms of Indigo Disk and previous leaks have revealed new Pokemon, there has been no information regarding a significant aspect of Gen 8's Crown Tundra. This may suggest a less compelling endgame experience.

Pokemon Sword and Shield experienced their own set of issues upon their initial release, which were not fully addressed by the Isle of Armor DLC. However, the Crown Tundra expansion was largely successful as it provided players with a meaningful endgame grind through a new game mode that facilitated the capturing of Legendaries and Ultra Beasts. This aspect would be greatly beneficial in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, given their heavy reliance on Tera Raids for exclusive Pokemon. Surprisingly, no official information or leaks have been made regarding this aspect of the game.

Why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Indigo Disk Needs Gen 8's Dynamax Adventures

Currently, Legendary Pokemon, Ultra Beasts, and most Hisuian forms cannot be obtained in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Teal Mask DLC, except through transfers from Pokemon Home. The reliance on Pokemon Home poses a problem as it only serves as a means of transferring creatures between games, rather than generating new ones. Consequently, players who haven't acquired these rare or exclusive creatures in previous games are now unable to obtain them.

Players who have used Pokemon Sword and Shield's Dynamax Adventures to catch these pocket monsters can easily transfer them to Gen 9 games via Pokemon Home, including games like Pokemon Legends: Arceus or the upcoming Gen 4 remakes. Since the endgame activities in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet involve Tera Raids, the Ace Tournament, and The Teal Mask's Ogre Oustin' mini-game, there is a need for a similar feature to Dynamax Adventures where players can acquire past creatures. The upcoming Indigo Disk DLC will introduce all starters to the game, allowing players to catch them in Blueberry Academy's biomes, but this content falls short of a true endgame grind.

Current VGC tournaments in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet allow players to use various critters, including legendary Pokemon like Cresselia and Heatran from past generations. However, these Pokemon are not available in Gen 9 and can only be transferred from older games. Having a reliable method to obtain rare and exclusive Pokemon in Gen 9 would not only provide players with an enjoyable game mode but also give them the opportunity to catch Pokemon they may not have had before.

The absence of any mention of past legendary Pokemon and endgame features like Dynamax Adventures in the leaks for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC could be disappointing for longtime fans. Dynamax Adventures had a significant impact on the gameplay of Gen 8 titles due to its entertaining and diverse gameplay loop. To keep players engaged for a longer period, Gen 9 should not solely focus on Tera Raids and should consider incorporating other elements as well.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for the Nintendo Switch.