The upcoming DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet could be great as long as it avoids one mistake that the previous generation's DLC made. With the DLC being announced not too long after the game's initial release, there has been plenty of time for fans to get excited about what it could bring to the experience. Though Pokemon Scarlet and Violet can grow a lot from the expansion, that relies on the expansion providing plenty of content to do so. The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero should seek to outdo its predecessors in terms of quality and length.

The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's two-part DLC expansion, consisting of The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk. Early information has revealed a new location, Kitakami, for the player to explore as a part of a school event. Kitakami is distinctive in Scarlet and Violet for being influenced by Japanese culture and design, in comparison to the Spanish-influenced Paldea that the rest of the game takes place in. The name of the expansion alone is enough to stir intrigue for what is to come, and the DLC itself will have a lot to live up to after Scarlet and Violet's powerful story.

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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Needs a Good Story to Go With its DLC

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There are some parallels worth noting between Pokemon Sword and Shield's Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra, and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC. Both halves of Sword and Shield's DLC introduced their own titular areas for the player to explore, filled with additional Pokemon for the player to encounter. Kitakami already promises to be similar, expanding the Pokedex as well as introducing some brand-new Pokemon to the series. However, providing new ground and a Pokedex expansion is only a part of what the DLC needs to do. It also needs to give the player enough of a story to get invested in.

The strength and importance of the accompanying story is a crucial area where Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC needs to excel compared to Sword and Shield's. While Isle of Armor did have a story, it was quite short, with its respective rival was not able to leave much of an impact as a result. In addition, said story essentially just had the player run all over the Isle, similar to a glorified tour. Crown Tundra did a better job, introducing some legendary Pokemon and having a more dramatic feel. However, the plot was overshadowed by the Dynamax Adventures and Galarian Star Tournament which were also added to the DLC.

Teal Mask and Indigo Disk need to create a story worth playing through in order to give players their money's worth. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Teal Mask has high expectations to meet in order to get the DLC started on the right foot, and that includes a strong plot to draw players in. Kitakami and Blueberry Academy surely have mysteries of their own for the player to discover, and those should receive proper attention throughout. Also, if the plot is tied to Area Zero as the Expansion's title implies, then fans should be able to expect a satisfying conclusion to the overall arc.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet could have a lot to gain with the release of its DLC, but the expansion needs to be high quality in order to pull it off. Whatever Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Blueberry Academy may be hiding, players should have the opportunity to investigate in full over the course of the DLC. If The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero lives up to its title, it can be an intriguing adventure rather than simply an introduction to a new area. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet can hopefully follow through on that promise and deliver an exciting DLC story.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is available now for the Nintendo Switch.

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