While information on gameplay is currently limited, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet could reintroduce classic mechanics from previous Pokémon generations, reimagining concepts for open-world gameplay. The Pokémon series is known for implementing new mechanics in each new generation of the main game series. However, this means that favorite past options are often left behind, with players forced to pick up outdated games to enjoy them. However, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet could be a great opportunity to bring back older gameplay, modernizing it for a current console.

Currently, few details have been confirmed for the new games, leaving most content up to speculation. The starter Pokémon for Scarlet and Violet have been revealed, as well as a few early sneak peeks at what the new region will look like, but almost everything else has been left a mystery. While it is likely much of the gameplay will mimic Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which was a potential testing ground for Gen 9 concepts, the game will need a large amount of content to fill a true open world and contend with the success of Pokémon Sword and Shield.

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There are many things that already exist in the Pokémon series that could help fill the vast world that will likely comprise Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. While the games would be a great canvas for new content like more advanced crafting and cooking systems, more complex travel and exploration, and in-depth character narratives, bringing back favorite mechanics from previous Pokémon generations could help create solid gameplay. Options like Contests, Mega Evolution, berry farming, and move-enhanced puzzle-style exploration are all familiar to players, ensuring gameplay will be reminiscent of past games, and would provide options that have already been tested and successful amid newer, more experimental content.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Would Benefit From Berry Farming Mechanics

Pokemon Sword Shield Berry Tree

Berry farming and picking have become a simple and boring requirement in recent Pokémon titles. Mechanics that once allowed players to plant, water, and care for berry plants have become a simple shake-a-tree mini-game in titles like Pokémon Sword and Shield. While Pokémon Legends: Arceus allows players to tackle trees using their partners to obtain Pokémon's most useful berries, the mechanic still lacks the depth of earlier titles like Ruby and Sapphire or Diamond and Pearl. However, with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's confirmed to be open-world, there would be plenty of room to bring back a more complex berry farming option.

To make things more challenging, players could be required to find berries in the wild before having the option to propagate them in a contained field. Like in earlier games, each variety of berry could have a different plant, and rare berries could either be locked by the progression of the story or have a much lower spawn rate than common varieties. This would allow players to continuously be on the lookout for the dozens of berries already in the Pokémon series, helping to boost interest in foraging while exploring.

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After finding berries, players could have the ability to fast travel back to a home base that possesses a berry farming area. Here, the berries could be watered to increase yields, fertilized to improve quality, or even crossbred to obtain hybrids that aren't available in the wild. Because mechanics like these are popular in titles like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it is likely fans of slice-of-life concepts would enjoy the option to take a quiet break and grow helpful plants.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Should Use Classic Exploration Mechanics

Pokemon HM

While few players miss the clunky Hidden Machine mechanics of earlier Pokémon games, the way HM moves enriched exploration would be beneficial to open-world gameplay in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. In previous games, players were able to teach moves to their Pokémon that could be used outside of battle. Options like Dig could be used to escape caves, while Surf and Fly were keystone moves that improved mobility around the region maps. However, in recent games like Sword and Shield, these HM moves were removed. This eliminated many of the puzzles that made routes engaging and ended up oversimplifying travel.

Instead of turning companion Pokémon on a player's team into HM slaves, however, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet could use a method similar to Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, allowing players or a chosen "main companion" Pokémon to learn the Pokémon HM moves that don't impact battle attack slots. This could reintroduce Rock Smash and Strength boulder puzzles to caves and cliffside areas, create secret areas hidden by waterfalls of removable trees, or add hidden treasures that could be found using Dig. The options would create a more interesting environment for players to explore, and greatly extend the playtime possible both during the main story and in post-game content.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Should Bring Back Mega Evolution

A promotional image of Blaziken Mega Evolving into Mega Blaziken in Pokemon

Introduced in Pokémon X and Y, and used in numerous games following Gen Six, Mega Evolution is a popular mechanic that allows certain species of Pokémon to gain a temporary, additional evolutionary stage in battle. The mechanic requires players to possess the correct item, or Mega Stone, for the Pokémon species being Mega Evolved, giving players incentive to explore and find each stone. Mega Evolution wasn't included in Pokémon Sword and Shield, and while many hope it will be added to the latest game eventually, it wasn't in Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Daybreak update that went live in February.

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However, Mega Evolution could be a great addition to an open-world game like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Players would have the ability to locate stones on their travels in different areas, with each potentially locked in hidden locations requiring extra work to access. Additionally, the Mega-Evolved Pokémon would likely look amazing on the Nintendo Switch, and could even stay Mega-Evolved for a limited time outside of battle, allowing such Pokémon to follow the player's character or assist in item collection in the overworld.

Because Pokémon Scarlet and Violet were confirmed for release later in 2022, it is likely more information for the new games will be coming soon. While nothing has been confirmed by Nintendo or Game Freak regarding when the next announcements might drop, it is possible trailers and sneak peeks will begin releasing throughout the summer, or early in the fall. Despite this, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have already offered a great deal to be excited about, and it is likely further new ways to explore the series will be included in upcoming content.

Next: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Need Sword & Shield's Narrative Style