With the announcement of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Game Freak broke a few trends. Notably, the fire starter Fuecoco does not seem to resemble any of the animals of the Chinese zodiac, which has been the case for all Fire-type starter Pokemon prior. Game Freak should break tradition once more and ditch gym battles for something a little more creative, as this would allow Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to stand out instead of being just another Pokemon adventure.
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The Good and Bad of Pokemon Gym Battles
Gym battles were introduced in Pokemon Red and Green. Typically, after making sufficient progress in their journey, players are able to challenge a Gym Leader. However, to reach the gym leader there are puzzles to overcome or other trainers to defeat. When players finally reach the Gym Leader there is a showdown, and if the player wins they earn a badge. Players battle for badges because they are necessary if one wishes to challenge the Elite Four and become the next Pokemon League Champion.
Pokemon gym battles are often fun because they tend to be the hardest part of the game. Gym Leaders use some clever strategies, and they can also make use of items to heal their Pokemon. Furthermore, they usually build their teams around specific types, so battling them becomes a lesson on the strengths and weaknesses of each. They have their downsides, however. The format feels stale for many lifelong fans of the franchise, and leaves very little room for players to learn more about the Gym Leaders and their personalities.
Past Gym Changes Have Been Successful
Pokemon has dared to switch up its typical formula in the past, and it has been very successful. With Pokemon Sun and Moon, Game Freak ditched its chibi art style for characters with more realistic proportions, and introduced Z-Moves that allow players to unleash a devastating attack on their opponent.
Instead of Gym battles, Pokemon trainers in the Alola region participate in trials. These trials involve completing tasks such as finding certain items or proving one’s knowledge. Typically, the trials end with players going up against Totem Pokemon, which are larger versions of Pokemon that have had their stats boosted by an aura. After completing all the trials on an island, players participate in the grand trial where they battle the Island Kahuna.
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The use of trials breathed new life into the Pokemon series, and provided an innovative way for players to test their skills. Furthermore, the theme of island trials matches the setting perfectly. The Alola region is inspired by Hawaii, and “kahuna” is a Hawaiian word that refers to an expert such as a shaman, so it is fitting that at the end of the trials players would have to go up against one.
How Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Can Replace Gym Battles
Although gamers have seen Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s three starters, Game Freak has yet to confirm where the game will be taking place. That has not stopped gamers from speculating, and after analyzing the short announcement trailer, many are convinced that Gen 9’s region is inspired by Spain. One piece of evidence is a corkboard in the trailer that features images of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands.
If it is the case that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be taking fans to a fictional version of Spain, there are a lot of ways Game Freak could introduce new challenges that are thematically relevant. Although controversial, bullfighting has been practiced in Spain for centuries. Pokemon could introduce a friendlier version that has trainers and Pokemon working together to create an exhilarating - but ultimately harmless - show. Game Freak could also borrow from Spain’s rich musical history and craft rhythm-based trials using flamenco music.
Having new challenges would also provide opportunities for players to interact with leaders and discover more about their backstories. While Gym battles place players in an adversarial position in which they seldom get to learn much about their foe, having a leader who is giving out a challenge opens more avenues for friendly interactions to take place. Having challenges instead of Gym battles would also encourage players to explore the world around them. Challenges could have players journeying to certain locations on the map to find key items instead of being cramped up in a single Gym, which would fit a more open region.
With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it seems Game Freak wants to break new ground the same way Pokemon Sun and Moon did. The trailer reveals players can expect significant visual improvements and an open world full of new Pokemon to discover, battle, and catch. If Game Freak is willing to be daring, it should do away with gym battles and try to incorporate a new set of challenges to test players. This would help the franchise avoid stagnancy while proving that after decades, the Pokemon series is still capable of surprising players with new tricks.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are set to release in late 2022 on Nintendo Switch.
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