Why is Pokémon Scarlet Bad? A Critical Look at Gen 9

Pokémon Scarlet, alongside its sister game Violet, landed with a resounding thud for many long-time fans, and for good reason. While the core Pokémon formula remains somewhat intact, numerous issues plague the experience, ranging from atrocious technical performance to questionable design choices, ultimately tarnishing what could have been a truly revolutionary entry.

At its core, the problem with Pokémon Scarlet boils down to a perfect storm of poor optimization, dated hardware limitations, and a lack of polish. The game frequently suffers from severe frame rate drops, especially in densely populated areas or during battles with multiple Pokémon on screen. Character models often exhibit bizarre glitches, stretching and contorting in unnatural ways, and the game’s environments lack detail and texture, creating a visually unappealing experience. These technical issues, unfortunately, are so pervasive that they significantly detract from the gameplay, making it difficult to immerse oneself in the world of Paldea.

Technical Deficiencies: A Visual Nightmare

The most glaring flaw in Pokémon Scarlet is its subpar technical performance. The Nintendo Switch, while a popular and versatile console, is showing its age. Scarlet and Violet push the hardware to its absolute limits, and it’s clear that the game’s developers struggled to optimize the experience for the platform.

Frame Rate Woes

The frame rate instability is a constant source of frustration. Even seemingly simple actions, like walking through a town or rotating the camera, can cause the game to stutter and lag. During battles, the frame rate often dips dramatically, making it difficult to react to enemy attacks or execute commands with precision.

Glitches Galore

Beyond the frame rate issues, Pokémon Scarlet is riddled with graphical glitches. Character models frequently clip through the environment, textures fail to load properly, and Pokémon animations can be jerky and unnatural. Some glitches are merely amusing, while others are downright game-breaking, requiring players to restart the game to continue.

Optimization Issues

The underlying problem appears to be a lack of optimization. Game Freak, the developer behind the Pokémon series, has a history of releasing games with technical issues. However, the problems in Scarlet and Violet are particularly egregious, suggesting that the game was rushed to market without adequate testing or optimization.

Gameplay Frustrations: A Step Backwards?

Beyond the technical issues, Pokémon Scarlet suffers from several gameplay shortcomings that detract from the overall experience.

Open World Implementation

While the open world concept is a welcome addition to the Pokémon formula, its execution in Scarlet leaves much to be desired. The world feels empty and uninspired, with vast stretches of barren landscape separating points of interest. The lack of meaningful exploration opportunities makes the open world feel more like a chore than a rewarding experience.

Uninspired Story

The story in Pokémon Scarlet, while not terrible, is unremarkable compared to some of the series’ previous entries. The characters are bland and forgettable, and the plot lacks the depth and complexity of earlier Pokémon games. While the “Treasure Hunt” theme has potential, the narrative execution doesn’t quite live up to it.

AI Problems

The Artificial Intelligence (AI), both for trainer battles and wild Pokémon, leaves much to be desired. Opponents often make questionable decisions, using ineffective moves or failing to capitalize on type advantages. This lack of challenge can make battles feel repetitive and unengaging.

Design Choices: Questionable Decisions

Several design choices in Pokémon Scarlet have drawn criticism from fans.

Dated Visuals

Despite being a brand-new entry in the series, Pokémon Scarlet’s visuals feel dated and uninspired. The character models lack detail, the environments are bland, and the overall aesthetic feels generic compared to other modern games on the Nintendo Switch.

Camera Issues

The camera controls in Pokémon Scarlet are clunky and unwieldy. It’s often difficult to get a clear view of your surroundings, especially in tight spaces. The camera also has a tendency to clip through walls and objects, further adding to the visual clutter.

The Paradox Pokémon Controversy

Some players have expressed disappointment with the designs of the Paradox Pokémon, the version-exclusive creatures that represent ancient or future forms of existing Pokémon. While some of these designs are creative, others are seen as lazy or uninspired, simply grafting robotic or prehistoric features onto existing Pokémon without adding much in the way of personality or charm.

In conclusion, Pokémon Scarlet is a flawed game that is marred by technical issues, gameplay frustrations, and questionable design choices. While the core Pokémon formula remains somewhat intact, the game’s numerous shortcomings make it a disappointing experience for many fans. While patches have addressed some issues, the game still suffers from significant problems. The Games Learning Society could provide valuable insight into game design flaws and improvements for future titles. Check them out at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Pokémon Scarlet:

1. Are the technical issues in Pokémon Scarlet fixed? While Game Freak has released several patches to address the technical issues, the game still suffers from significant frame rate drops, glitches, and other performance problems. Many players report that the patches have improved the experience somewhat, but the game is still far from being fully optimized.

2. Is Pokémon Scarlet worth buying in its current state? Whether or not Pokémon Scarlet is worth buying depends on your tolerance for technical issues. If you can overlook the game’s performance problems, there is still some fun to be had with the core Pokémon gameplay loop. However, if you are easily frustrated by glitches and frame rate drops, you may want to wait for further updates or consider playing a different Pokémon game.

3. Is Pokémon Scarlet better than Pokémon Violet? The main differences between Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the version-exclusive Pokémon, the character’s uniforms, and the legendary Pokémon. The core gameplay experience is largely the same in both games. Some players prefer the ancient aesthetic of Scarlet, while others prefer the futuristic theme of Violet. Ultimately, the choice between the two games comes down to personal preference.

4. What is the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet? Some of the rarer Pokémon in Scarlet include the Paradox Pokémon Roaring Moon, as well as Pokémon requiring specific evolution methods like Antique Sinistea and Family of Three Maushold.

5. Does Pokémon Scarlet have a good story? The story in Pokémon Scarlet is generally considered to be weaker than some of the series’ previous entries. While the “Treasure Hunt” theme has potential, the narrative execution is somewhat lacking, and the characters are not as memorable as in other Pokémon games.

6. Are there any game-breaking glitches in Pokémon Scarlet? Yes, Pokémon Scarlet has been known to have game-breaking glitches. While many have been patched out, some players still encounter issues that can prevent them from progressing in the game. It’s advisable to save frequently to minimize potential data loss.

7. What is the file size of Pokémon Scarlet? The digital download size of Pokémon Scarlet is around 6.8 GB.

8. Is Pokémon Scarlet appropriate for children? Pokémon Scarlet is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, meaning it is generally suitable for players of all ages. The game contains mild fantasy violence, but it is not graphic or intense.

9. Why does Pokémon Scarlet perform so poorly on the Nintendo Switch? The Nintendo Switch’s hardware is showing its age, and Pokémon Scarlet pushes the system to its limits. The game’s developers appear to have struggled to optimize the experience for the platform, resulting in poor performance.

10. Are the DLCs for Pokémon Scarlet worth buying? The value of the DLCs for Pokémon Scarlet depends on your enjoyment of the base game. They offer new areas to explore, new Pokémon to catch, and additional story content. If you are a fan of Pokémon Scarlet, you may find the DLCs to be a worthwhile addition.

11. How does Pokémon Scarlet compare to Pokémon Legends: Arceus? Many players feel that Pokémon Legends: Arceus offers a more polished and engaging open-world experience than Pokémon Scarlet. Arceus generally runs better and has a more compelling sense of exploration.

12. What are the main criticisms of Pokémon Scarlet’s graphics? The main criticisms include low-resolution textures, bland environments, and dated character models. Many players feel that the game’s visuals are not up to par with other modern games on the Nintendo Switch.

13. Has Game Freak addressed the performance issues in Pokémon Scarlet? Yes, Game Freak has released multiple patches aimed at improving the game’s performance. While some players have reported improvements, the game still suffers from significant technical problems.

14. Is the online multiplayer experience in Pokémon Scarlet stable? The online multiplayer experience in Pokémon Scarlet can be inconsistent. Players have reported issues with connectivity, lag, and glitches. However, the overall experience can be fun with friends if the connection is stable.

15. What makes Pokémon Scarlet different from other Pokémon games? Pokémon Scarlet introduces a true open-world experience, allowing players to explore the Paldea region without traditional gym challenges order. The game also features new Pokémon, characters, and a storyline centered around the theme of past versus future.