Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC: The Indigo Disk
I have loved every DLC for this game…
The new Pokémon Scarlet & Violet expansion, named The Indigo Disk, picks up where the first DLC left off. It brings us back to a place reminiscent of the Unova region and continues Teal Mask's storyline. This fresh content adds more Pokémon, including a bunch of Legendaries and familiar starter Pokémon from the past. While it tries to satisfy both battle-hungry trainers and those who can't resist the urge to collect 'em all, it still suffers from the same problems that bugged the original game and the Teal Mask expansion.
Victory over the main game and Teal Mask? Then diving into The Indigo Disk is a snap. Starting up could mean a trip back to Uva Academy, where you'll find a mix of new and old faces at Blueberry Academy. The main action happens in a snazzy underwater place called the Terarium, which has four different areas and a bunch of new Pokémon. It feels a bit like we've been here before, but it's still a fun adventure.
This Gen 9 expansion brings some cool stuff to the table. Get ready to geek out over the Synchro Machine, where you actually become your favorite Pokémon and play the game as them! This novelty might wear off after a while, but it's still pretty standout. Also, flying around is now a thing, making it easier to get around and explore.
Most of what's new involves Blueberry Quests (BBQs for short) and racking up Blueberry Points (BP). The tasks might remind you of those repetitive daily quests from other games—not too interesting and a tad disappointing. Since collecting BP is a big deal in the DLC, it can feel like a grindfest sometimes. That being said, these BBQs grow on you, especially after you've finished the main story.
A new Elite Four awaits at Blueberry Academy, and they're offering up some of the toughest scrapes you've seen in the Pokémon universe. These fights still aren't mega-hard if you're looking at other RPGs, but for Pokémon? Definitely tougher. The battles really take the spotlight in the DLC and are quite the highlight—except when it feels disjointed from scooping up wild Pokémon in the Terarium or stacking up BP.
The story's alright but doesn't live up to the hype it could have. Area Zero sounds super important, right? Turns out, it's a tiny blip on the Indigo Disk radar—and even less significant when you throw in the Teal Mask DLC. It's not a total letdown, but it kind of feels like we were expecting way more from Area Zero. It's more of a side note in this expansion.
But it's not all a downer. The seeds planted in Teal Mask, especially everything with Kieran, unfold in a predictable yet gratifying way. The cast of characters, both returnees and newbies, add some flair, but the story fizzles out by the end. Not exactly a flop, but as a wrap-up to Scarlet and Violet, it doesn't hit the high note we wanted.
And yep, those pesky glitches and lag from Scarlet and Violet haven't been squashed in The Indigo Disk. It's not exactly surprising, but still pretty disappointing. Expect choppy moments, odd glitches, stutters, and the chances of frame drops, especially when you're playing on the go. Flying around is cool, but it does make things like Pokémon and trainers loading in slow down a bit. There were even times cutscenes stuttered, though thankfully no game crashes. Sadly, these issues stick out like a sore thumb and put a dent in the fun.
Just like its predecessors, "The Teal Mask" and the main games, "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Indigo Disk" is pretty cool but could've used a touch more time to perfect. The fresh features are nice and make the expansion pack fun, yet it does get a little annoying when glitches pop up a lot. The latest battles ramp up the difficulty for the ninth generation, and exploring the Terarium to snag new Pokémon is still the best bit. On the whole, the positives beat the negatives. It's super entertaining, no question about that!
