Poké mon Scarlet and Violet takes a big risk by going full Breath of the Wild TechRadar Skip to main content TechRadar is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. Poké mon Scarlet and Violet takes a big risk by going full Breath of the Wild By Cat Bussell published 7 October 2022 Tera incognita (Image credit: Nintendo) Audio player loading… A new trailer for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet just landed, and it's bursting with gameplay details for the upcoming game. Due to release November 18 for Nintendo Switch, the launch of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is fast approaching. And with Pokémon Sword and Shield now firmly behind us, we're ready to see what the Pokémon Company has in store for us this time. The trailer reveals a host of new features, including how Terastallization works and how Pokémon can use the phenomenon to change types mid-battle. We are also treated to glimpses of the TM machine; a must-have for min-maxers out there, as well as the three major storylines available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Path of Legends, Victory Road and Starfall Street. They also showed off the new Tera Raid battles, which are co-op engagements against a single, especially tough Pokémon, reminiscent of the Dynamax Raids in Sword and Shield. The gameplay footage also revealed numerous open-world features, including a "Let's Go" command, which instructs your Pokémon to fight automatically, without requiring micromanagement. They also revealed a world map and "Grunt Battles," where your team face off against multiple Team Star trainers in the open world. It s a whole new world we live in The open-world ambitions of Scarlet and Violet clearly intend to build on the Wild Area of Sword and Shield in a big way. It's exciting to see a shift towards open-world exploration in Scarlet and Violet. Judging by the map shown off in the trailer, it looks like the latest pocket monster simulator is meandering in the direction of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Nintendo have clearly learned a thing or two from Pokémon Legends Arceus, not only embracing a greater emphasis on exploration but also allowing battles to take place in the world, rather than in a stylized, instanced arena. Pokémon has always been celebrated for its emphasis on adventure and exploration and it's heartening to see Scarlet and Violet double down. The "Let's Go" command could also be a game changer, and clearly comes as a result of the shift towards open-world play. As seen in the trailer, this allows you to sic your Pokémon on targets in the wild, having them automatically battle. Obviously, the success of this mechanic will depend a great deal on how organic it feels when used out in the world. At its best, it could potentially signal an end to tedious level grinding, while, at its worst, it could be consigned to the trash heap of forgotten Pokémon gimmicks*. (Image credit: Nintendo) However, as heartening as it is to see Pokémon branch out into new territory for the series, I am forced to wonder if open-world mechanics will be a good fit for what is, essentially, a granular turn-based RPG. From Assassin's Creed Valhalla to Horizon Forbidden West, a significant tranche of modern video games seem to be committed to recreating the phenomenal open-world experiences of The Witcher 3. Both the Assassin's Creed and Horizon series have done excellent things with the Witcherly formula and make for an excellent experience in their own right. However, a part of me can't help but wonder if this is dangerous territory for a whimsical turn-based RPG. While Pokémon Legends Arceus did push the envelope in some very cool ways, it would be a shame to see Scarlet and Violet dilute the whimsy and generosity of the traditional pocket monster formula in their pursuit of open-world mechanics. As a Pokémon fan for many, many years, I sincerely hope that my fears are unfounded. *This is where the Sandwich mini-game is going. Trust me: nobody's playing Pokémon because they want the authentic Subway experience. Sorry, sandwich fans.Love RPGs? Why not check out our list of the best RPGs on PC and console. Cat BussellStaff WriterCat Bussell is a Staff Writer at TechRadar Gaming. Hailing from the crooked spires of London, Cat is an experienced writer and journalist. As seen on Wargamer.com, TheGamer.com, and Superjumpmagazine.com, Cat is here to bring you coverage from all corners of the video game world. An inveterate RPG maven and strategy game enjoyer, Cat is known for her love of rich narratives; both story-driven and emergent. Before migrating to the green pastures of games journalism, Cat worked as a political advisor and academic. She has three degrees and has studied and worked at Cambridge University, University College London, and Queen Mary University of London. She's also been an art gallery curator, an ice cream maker, and a cocktail mixologist. This crash course in NPC lifestyles uniquely qualifies her to pick apart only the juiciest video games for your reading pleasure. Cat cut her teeth on MMOs in the heyday of World of Warcraft before giving in to her love of JRPGs and becoming embedded in Final Fantasy XIV. When she's not doing that, you might find her running a tabletop RPG or two, perhaps even voluntarily. See more Gaming news TechRadar Newsletter Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. 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