The Best Things Shown In Pokemon Scarlet And Violet's August Pokemon Direct

gamespot.com:

The next entries in the Pokemon series are right around the corner, and thanks to August 2's Pokemon Presents, we now have an even better understanding of just what we can expect from them. With a new region, Pokemon, characters, mechanics, and a non-linear, branching story, there's a lot to be excited about in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, so here's a round up to (hopefully) get you just pumped as I am.

Tera types

Alright, let's hit the more serious stuff before this devolves into me gushing about Mr. Jacq and Sprigatito. Just about every Pokemon game has its own unique gimmick, and Scarlet and Violet is no exception. The newest feature coming to the series is Terastallization, or the process of Pokemon transforming into crystalized versions of themselves with enhanced abilities and even new types. In addition to being mostly cool-looking, Terastal Pokemon add a unique element to battles in that they change what Pokemon are effective against one another. Safe to say, this ability could come in clutch in dicey situations.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet follow your student-turned-Pokemon trainer as they embark on a school-mandated «treasure hunt,» though what exactly that treasure is has not been specified (my money is on «the friends along the way»). Once the hunt has begun, however, they are free to follow three different story campaigns in whatever order they so choose. While one of these stories is your typical «defeat all eight gym leaders and become the Pokemon champion» plotline we all know and love, the other two journeys are yet to be revealed. Additionally, those eight gym leaders can now be beaten in any order. Many people have suspected Pokemon games would get progressively more open-world, and it appears that's