![Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Teal Mask 1](https://images.nintendolife.com/221ad498a6a38/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-the-teal-mask-1.900x.jpg)
Soapbox options allow our particular person writers and contributors to voice their opinions on scorching matters and random stuff they have been chewing over. Forward of tomorrow’s Pokémon Presents, Alana is hoping that The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero is an actual treasure for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s DLC, The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero, is a little bit of a thriller in the intervening time. We all know it’s cut up into two elements – The Teal Masks is due out this Fall, whereas The Indigo Disk follows in Winter – and we all know the areas, a number of characters, and a few returning (and new) Pokémon. However at the same time as somebody who cherished Scarlet & Violet, regardless of its swathe of technical points, this DLC has some actual work to do if Sport Freak goes to win again disheartened followers.
We all know little or no at this second in time, and the Pokémon Presents August 2023 showcase will possible take away the masks and present us much more particulars, particularly for Half One. However the 9 months since Scarlet & Violet dropped haven’t precisely been the smoothest. The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero, and particularly The Teal Masks, is an actual likelihood for Sport Freak and The Pokémon Firm to make amends with the numerous followers who misplaced endurance with the bottom recreation; to embrace the elements of Scarlet & Violet that make it particular, and easy over a few of the points that at present exist.
To be clear, I don’t assume that’ll embody efficiency points, sadly — I feel that S.S. Anne has sailed — however I reckon there’s loads The Teal Masks can deliver to the desk to reignite followers’ curiosity within the recreation, and produce a sceptical group of individuals again to a franchise they as soon as cherished.
![Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Teal Mask 4](https://images.nintendolife.com/23073d846e225/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-the-teal-mask-4.900x.jpg)
The Teal Masks – which can be accessible after you’ve began your Treasure Hunt – is all a few college journey to Kitakami, a land impressed by its namesake Japanese city and the Iwate prefecture. On the centre of this story seems to be 4 model new Pokémon and the competition at Kitakami village.
We’ve seen loads of Japanese-inspired areas in Pokémon earlier than, however Kitakami has the possibility to face out from the remainder of Paldea. My favorite a part of exploring Paldea was all the small pockets throughout the map with regional variations – there weren’t many, they usually had been usually nestled between big open, empty fields of… nothing, however discovering them was usually a pleasure. The bamboo thickets are one among my favorite locations to go to, they usually really feel so completely different from the forests, plains, and arid lands of the remainder of Paldea.
![Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Teal Mask 2](https://images.nintendolife.com/8be786fd2b0d5/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-the-teal-mask-2.445x.jpg)
![Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Teal Mask 3](https://images.nintendolife.com/04ed39a8a212d/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-the-teal-mask-3.445x.jpg)
Kitakami is overshadowed by an enormous mountain, and the individuals of the area dwell at its base. We’ve additionally bought Mossui City, which is your base hub throughout your time in Kitakami. The quick environment of layered cliff faces, a small waterfall, and stone partitions, make this look extra interesting than most of the different cities within the base recreation. And even the Pokémon Heart – located outdoors the principle constructing – seems very completely different from the drive-through-style hubs we bought in Paldea.
The Teal Masks will really feel rather more rural than plenty of the area. We had mountainous cities and a few smaller areas, however Paldea went larger with a lot of its house cities, very similar to Sword & Protect. Huge when it comes to measurement, that’s. The gorgeous avenue markets evoke a humbler model of the Division Shops we’ve seen in earlier video games, and the extra rural setting ought to permit for an much more numerous set of locales.
![Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Teal Mask 5](https://images.nintendolife.com/9c7b4f880d206/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-the-teal-mask-5.900x.jpg)
The screenshots we’ve seen to this point haven’t blown me away, however the prospects are there. Kitakami is house to apple orchards and rice paddies, the previous a transparent nod to Morioka. All the Japanese-inspired options deliver again recollections of Kanto and Johto – the previous of which we’ve seen in full HD 3D because of Let’s Go, Pikachu & Eevee, however Kanto goes for a really completely different aspect of Japan. Kitakami captures the essence of the time once I was a loyal Pokémon fan, and I can really feel the ripples of Johto’s historic, conventional Japanese inspirations right here.
If The Teal Masks needs to seize extra of the magic I’m searching for, it’s going to have to take action with its story – however I’m not anticipating an excessive amount of. The Indigo Disk might be the place I’m going to get that Space Zero lore dump that I’m so determined for. No matter you consider Scarlet & Violet as a complete, there’s no denying that the tip sequences inside Space Zero are a few of the greatest moments within the sequence so far. It’s a disgrace that efficiency points stopped lots of people from pushing by way of, however the music, environment, characters, and last battles made for an unbelievable capstone to a fractured expertise.
![Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Teal Mask 6](https://images.nintendolife.com/be4997e37ed77/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-the-teal-mask-6.900x.jpg)
There’s nonetheless an opportunity The Teal Masks might result in some marvel, although. The 4 new Pokémon – Okidogi, Munkidori, Fezandipiti, and Ogerpon – have sturdy ties to Kitakami, and the sturdy regional identification coupled with the folktales implies that there are methods these new ‘mons might be tied into the mysterious area pocket on the centre of the crater in Paldea. Possibly. How else might Pokémon of legend and historical past make an look? Nicely… some ways, however for the sake of Scarlet & Violet, Space Zero might be the reason for this. What do these crystals behind Ogerpon’s masks imply anyway?
I’m not holding out hope for that revelation in The Teal Masks, however The Indigo Disk completely has that likelihood. Terapagos – the turtle-like Pokémon – and Terarium, have clear visible hyperlinks and anomalies that line up completely with Space Zero. We all know a part of the historical past of the crater, the discoveries a personality named Heath made on the Herba Mystica, and the origin of the Terastal phenomenon. However there’s no approach there aren’t extra hidden treasures for Space Zero lurking in Terarium, or associated to Terapagos.
![Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Indigo Disk 1](https://images.nintendolife.com/032ca8ef35f3b/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-the-indigo-disk-1.900x.jpg)
It’s exhausting for me to get extraordinarily enthusiastic about The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero, however there’s hope. I preferred Sword & Protect significantly lower than I do Scarlet & Violet – regardless that the efficiency points and the post-game cycle of Tera Raids and lacklustre Thriller Items have not enticed me again too usually. However Sword & Protect’s DLC improved upon so many elements of the bottom recreation and embraced what made Galar stand out from the pack.
The Teal Masks is step one of this two-part journey towards a possible hidden treasure, the treasure that makes Pokémon as beloved as it’s. May there be extra new Pokémon? Extra regional types? Or maybe extra Paradox Pokémon? And are there methods battles may be streamlined or sped up? We are able to hope for lots – and plenty of of our needs gained’t possible come true – however The Teal Masks must make me and plenty of envious, wanting extra from the world of Paldea.
![Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Indigo Disk 2](https://images.nintendolife.com/d226399aba06c/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-the-indigo-disk-2.445x.jpg)
![Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Indigo Disk 3](https://images.nintendolife.com/d880bb08d7f01/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-the-indigo-disk-3.445x.jpg)
It might not clear up the sport’s tech issues, however Sport Freak has confirmed repeatedly that technical perfection is not a prerequisite to a magical expertise. It has an opportunity show that when once more, and I hope the Pokémon Presents provides us that first glimpse of the treasure that (hopefully) awaits us.
What do you need to see from The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero? Tell us within the feedback.
See Additionally
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Walkthrough, All Gyms, Evolutions, Collectibles, Ideas, And TricksPokémon Scarlet and Violet ReviewGuide: Pokémon GO Mega Evolutions Checklist – How Get Mega EnergyGuide: Pokémon GO Particular Evolutions – How To Get Pangoro, Sylveon, Glaceon, Aromatisse, Slurpuff, Sirfetch’d, Galarian Cofagrigus And MoreGuide: Pokémon GO Eevee Evolutions Ranked – How To Get Sylveon, Leafeon, Glaceon, Umbreon, Espeon, Vaporeon, Jolteon And FlareonGuide: Pokémon GO – The Rarest Pokémon Together with Wild, Shiny, Legendary And Regional CatchesGuide: Pokémon Sword And Protect: Pokédex Galar Area
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