September 21st 2023.
The Teal Mask - A New Adventure
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's two-part DLC, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, has arrived and it's time to find out what it has to offer to players who have already completed the base game. The Pokémon Company has been working hard to ensure that the two titles are an improvement over the Sword and Shield games, and it looks like they've succeeded.
The Teal Mask, Part 1 of this DLC, takes place in the land of Kitakami, a place heavily influenced by Japanese culture. Players take on the role of siblings Kieran and Carmen, as they investigate stories of three new Legendary Pokémon and a mysterious character donning the titular Teal Mask. The narrative is far from being as grandiose as the base game, but it holds its own and is structured much better than the DLC for Sword and Shield.
The plot dives into themes such as social exclusion and tradition versus modernity, with an appropriate level of maturity considering the game's target audience. Unfortunately, the lack of voice-acting comes across as a cost-saving measure rather than an artistic choice, making the experience feel unfinished. The island, however, is small but well-designed, with lots of hidden areas and interesting sights to explore.
Players will also get to enjoy some new Pokémon designs, including the Legendaries, Dipplin and Polltchageist, who just so happen to be related to some of our favorite modern-day Pokémon. There's a neat photography quest and a multiplayer mini-game called Ogre Oustin' to keep things interesting.
Unfortunately, The Teal Mask is far too easy to breeze through if you already have a team of well-trained Pokémon, as there is no level limit for the DLC. This can make the experience feel like a waste of time and money, and it's a shame because the story is genuinely good. Hopefully Game Freak will take the time to create a more balanced experience in Part 2, which is due out later in the year.
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