Pokemon Scarlet and Violet received a mixed reception when they came out last year. Personally, I especially liked it Pokemonninth generation, calling it “addictive and pretty damn fun.” full review. I was excited when the game expansion was announced, and now that I’ve finished my time in the Kitakami region, I’m happy to report Blue mask continues the fun of the main game, even if it’s a little less content.
Prerequisite Blue mask simple: your trainer, along with a couple of other students from your version’s school, are chosen to travel to the Kitakami region to study with the students from Blueberry Academy. It’s home to a small rural village that looks like it’s from decades past compared to some of the more established towns of Paldea and other regions.
Uncovering the truth behind the Faithful Three makes for a powerful story in The Teal Mask.Kitakami is something of a tourist destination, as the Kitakami Mask Festival draws attention for its celebration of the region’s history. In approximately the same way, the story of a A sword and Shield directly related to the history of the Galar region, for example, the history of Bluish masks relates to the history of the Kitakomi region. You learn about the royal trio, Pokemon generations ago who saved the village from an evil ogre…or so in this story. The region now celebrates these Pokémon with a festival every year, but when your trainer befriends the students of Blueberry Academy and learns the true history of the region, you’ll realize that history isn’t always what it’s made out to be.
The story is simple, and basically your trainer jumps between a small town, Kitakami Hall, and a monument to the faithful three with Blueberry, Kieran, and Carmine’s students. The character work is good enough, and I liked that the expansion has your trainer interacting with his new friends. Each goal in the story has you alongside one of the siblings, and their very different personalities and approaches to Pokémon of Legend Kitakami offer a unique perspective on the events of the DLC. Nimona, Penny, and Arwen were fun characters and strengths in the base game Blue mask there are still interesting NPCs for your trainer to interact with and befriend. The character work and story, while short, are definitely highlights Blue mask.
Kitakami as a region is a little disappointing. Compared to the base map of Paldeia, there is nothing special about it. You see the same rocks and lakes being reused, and there is nothing really unique about Kitakami from an environmental point of view. Most sections of the map are indistinguishable from the base game. It even has a mountain in the center with dark caves to explore like Paldeia. I would like more interesting places, but it seems that the truly unique places to explore will have to wait Indigo disc (hopefully).
You will befriend Ogerpon and eventually get the chance to add him to your team.In terms of Pokemon to capture, Kitakami is a pretty mixed bag. Only eight new Pokemon are introduced in the ninth generation, and four of them are Mythic/Legendary (I can never tell the difference) with pretty unremarkable designs. Ogerpon has a unique terostatal trick that makes it easy to connect with any Pokémon lineup. Poltchageist and its evolution Sinistcha are cute and I will never complain about having more ghost Pokemon. Bloodmoon Beast is easily my favorite new addition and I can definitely see him becoming a regular part of my team.
Ninety-one Pokémon from past generations return, making up almost half of Kitakami’s Pokédex (just over a hundred Paldea Pokémon roam Kitakami). As someone who missed out on a few middle generations of Pokémon, much of Kitakami’s dex was new to me, just like it was in the base game. However, even though some of these Pokemon were new to me, they won’t be new to anyone who purchases the expansion. Pokémon Home is now integrated with Scarlet and Violettrainers will be able to import their favorite pocket monsters from previous generations, so I’m not sure if the appeal of catching them again will really be that exciting for someone who’s been fighting the same Chandelure or Leavanny for years.
Milotic is a fan favorite making his ninth generation debut in The Teal Mask.The Paradox Pokémon were the most fun part of the base game for me, so I was a little bummed when I realized that Blue mask will not include any new Paradox ‘mons. Sure, Kitakami doesn’t have its own Area Zero, but they could explain the unique Paradox Pokemon in a similar way to the inclusion of Blood Moon Beast. The only Paradox Pokemon could have escaped Area Zero and wandered to Kitakami, and now it’s up to your trainer to catch it – easy. Alas, it will have to wait Indigo disk releases in the winter to capture new Paradox Pokemon. Raging Bolt, the ancient version of Raikou, and Iron Crown, the futuristic version of Cobalion, can be caught during version-related events during Indigo disc.
I certainly had fun Blue mask, though it left me wanting more – not in an “I can’t get enough of this!” way, but more in Was That All? the way It brought me back to one of my favorite games of 2022 and gave me a good reason to keep trying to complete my first Pokédex (18 in all!). However, as the first half of an expansion for $35, I don’t think it’s enough to justify the purchase just yet. This creates a lot of pressure Indigo discand we’ll have to wait and see when Indigo discHidden treasures make the expansion essential or skippable.
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