How Many Endings Are in Pokemon Scarlet?
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet deliver a satisfying narrative experience, but the structure of its conclusion can be a little confusing. To be clear: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet essentially have one primary ending, followed by a post-game epilogue that expands on the story. While some consider the completion of each of the three main storylines (Victory Road, Starfall Street, and Path of Legends) as mini-endings, they all converge into a unified finale centered around Area Zero.
Understanding the Structure of Pokemon Scarlet’s Narrative
The brilliance of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet lies in their open-world design, which grants players unparalleled freedom to explore the Paldea region. This freedom extends to the main storylines, which can be tackled in almost any order. Before diving into the true ending, let’s breakdown each of the three storylines:
Victory Road
This is the traditional gym challenge. Players travel across the Paldea region, defeating eight Gym Leaders and ultimately challenging the Elite Four and the Champion. Completing this storyline signifies your mastery over the art of Pokemon battling within the region’s established competitive scene.
Starfall Street
Here, you’re tasked with dismantling Team Star, a group of rebellious students causing trouble throughout the academy. This storyline focuses on battling and dismantling the operations of Team Star’s various bases led by their powerful bosses. Each base you dismantle brings you closer to uncovering the heart of Team Star’s grievances.
Path of Legends
This quest involves teaming up with Arven to seek out and defeat the Titan Pokemon, massive and powerful creatures guarding Herba Mystica. This storyline is as much about battling as it is about emotional growth, as you assist Arven in his personal quest to restore his Mabosstiff to full health.
The Primary Ending: Unveiling Area Zero
Once you’ve completed all three storylines, the game funnels you towards its central mystery: Area Zero. Here, you join forces with Nemona, Penny, and Arven to explore the Great Crater of Paldea and uncover the secrets hidden within. This journey culminates in battling the Paradox Pokemon and confronting the underlying mysteries of the area, as well as the true nature of the professors. While the Paradox Pokemon are fierce, they are not the true end boss. Players must team up to battle the professors AI and take it down with the help of Koraidon.
What Makes Area Zero the “True” Ending?
Area Zero provides narrative closure, it explains the underlying mysteries and motivations of the professors, the Paradox Pokemon, and ties together all the loose ends from the three storylines. The culmination of your journey, exploration, and battles happens here.
The Post-Game Epilogue: Expanding the Narrative
After the credits roll, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet aren’t quite finished. A post-game epilogue opens, offering additional content and character development. This epilogue is a vital component of the overall experience, providing a sense of conclusion and hints at future adventures. This often includes special battles, quests, and deeper insights into the main characters. One major piece of post-game content involves connecting with other players and accessing version-exclusive content, highlighting the game’s social and collaborative elements.
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC adds further content to the game. This downloadable content includes two parts: The Teal Mask and the Indigo Disk. Each expansion dives deeper into the world of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, revealing new locations, characters, and, of course, Pokemon.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Pokemon Scarlet Endings
Here are 15 of the most commonly asked questions related to the endings of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
1. Does Pokemon Scarlet have multiple endings?
As mentioned earlier, Pokemon Scarlet has one primary ending in Area Zero and a post-game epilogue that extends the narrative. The game brings together all main stories and converges toward a conclusion.
2. Can you do all storylines in Pokemon Scarlet?
Yes, absolutely! One of the best features is that you can seamlessly switch between Victory Road, Starfall Street, and Path of Legends whenever you like. You’re not locked into completing one before starting another.
3. What happens after you beat Pokemon Scarlet?
After completing the main story, you unlock a post-game epilogue. This includes new events, challenges, and the opportunity to further explore the Paldea region. Consider completing your Pokedex, shiny hunting, or rematching Gym Leaders.
4. In what order should I do the storylines?
You have total freedom! However, keep in mind that some areas are blocked until you progress in certain storylines, like Starfall Street. Ultimately, the order you choose is a matter of personal preference.
5. Does beating the Elite Four count as an ending?
Beating the Elite Four is a major milestone in the Victory Road storyline, but it’s not the “true” ending. It’s a significant step towards unlocking the game’s central narrative.
6. What is Area Zero and why is it important?
Area Zero is a mysterious location within the Great Crater of Paldea. It is the central focal point for the main conclusion of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. It’s where the three storylines converge and where the game’s biggest mysteries are revealed.
7. What are Paradox Pokemon?
Paradox Pokemon are unique creatures found in Area Zero. In Scarlet, they are Pokemon from the past, while in Violet, they are Pokemon from the future. These are powerful Pokemon that provide a distinct challenge.
8. Is there a secret ending in Pokemon Scarlet?
There is not a specific, explicitly labeled “secret ending”. The post-game epilogue and further exploration of the world reveal more depth to the story and characters, but it all flows naturally from the main narrative.
9. How long does it take to beat Pokemon Scarlet?
The main story typically takes around 30-40 hours to complete. However, fully exploring the world and completing all the side content can easily extend your playtime to over 100 hours.
10. Can you replay the Elite Four?
Yes! After beating the game, you can participate in the Academy Ace Tournament, which allows you to rematch the Gym Leaders and Elite Four with stronger teams.
11. Are there version-exclusive storylines?
No, the core storylines are the same in both Scarlet and Violet. However, certain characters, Pokemon, and details will differ between the two versions.
12. How does the DLC impact the ending?
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC adds an extra layer of story and content that builds upon the original game, but it doesn’t fundamentally alter the primary ending. It just provides additional experiences.
13. What is the final battle in Pokemon Scarlet?
The final battle in Pokemon Scarlet occurs during the Area Zero storyline. You’ll be facing Paradox Pokemon and ultimately a critical AI battle, requiring strategy and teamwork.
14. What is there to do after beating the game?
Plenty! Focus on:
- Completing your Pokedex: Catching every Pokemon in the Paldea region is a huge undertaking.
- Shiny hunting: Searching for rare, differently colored versions of Pokemon.
- Rematching Gym Leaders: Testing your skills against stronger opponents in the Academy Ace Tournament.
- Exploring Area Zero further: Uncovering all of its secrets and capturing Paradox Pokemon.
- Completing Sandwich Recipes: There are so many of them!
15. Is Koraidon hard to catch?
Yes, Koraidon has a very low catch rate of 3 or 1.6%, making it hard to capture.
In conclusion, while Pokemon Scarlet doesn’t boast multiple distinct endings, the completion of its three main storylines and the exploration of Area Zero provide a fulfilling narrative experience. The post-game epilogue extends the story and offers plenty of additional content for players to enjoy, solidifying the game’s place as a standout entry in the Pokemon series. To discover more about game-based learning and its transformative potential, please visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.