Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Look to Be What Everyone Wanted Sword and Shield To Be

gamerant.com:

Pokemon is one of the biggest franchises in gaming, and has seen success on numerous platforms across many generations of hardware. Its origins on the Game Boy were humble, but as it caught traction through the early 2000s, the Game Freak-developed franchise never looked back. 26 years later it's stronger than ever, with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet set to release in the near future. Fans' anticipation seems to be at an all-time high, as the property has listened to consumer feedback after the somewhat lukewarm reception to the previous mainline titles, Sword and Shield.

The aforementioned games didn't do anything to advance the very same formula that the series has used for decades. With the boost in aesthetics and a new perspective as a result of the Switch being a home/portable console hybrid, the expectations were massive, and the games simply didn't live up to the hype in many critical ways. However, early this year, the release of Pokemon Legends: Arceus seemed to have moved the needle in a positive direction. There's evidence to suggest that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will carry on the momentum, providing gamers with the title they've always wanted and the game that Sword and Shield should have been.

Pokemon: Saddest Moments Hidden in The Game's Side Quests So Far

Pokemon Sword and Shield are largely victims of their own hype. The pair of games were so highly anticipated as they were the first mainline games to feature on a home console, and fans were salivating at the freedom that this change in design would bring. The issue wasn't helped by the promotional material that promised a Galar Region that was diverse and expansive, and while its United Kingdom inspiration made it feel unique, there wasn't a lot to do in it.