Pokemon Scarlet and Violetintroduce plenty of new features, but some traditions remain. Hence, players find themselves up against an enemy gang that uses their Pokemon for evil. Interestingly, these villains aren’t particularly frightening, especially when comparing them to past criminal organizations who have had ambitiously nefarious goals. This is even clearer when players first approachTeam Star’s bases and auto battlesin the game.
Although the antagonistic team ofPokemon Scarlet and Violetis less threatening than the gangs of past generations, it doesn’t mean they are boring. Team Star reveals a lot about bullying and its effects, and these are far more relatable themes than world domination. Consequently, Team Star features some of the most sympathetic villains the series has ever seen.
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How Team Star Compares to Past Villainous Teams in Pokemon Games
As is tradition, mainlinePokemongames feature some kind of criminal organization that stands in the way of the player’s progression. While players may be primarily aiming to defeat theElite Four, they find themselves dealing with the crooks as well. Some of the criminal organizations that have been introduced are so large and have schemes that are so sinister that it can be quite laughable that a kid is able to take them down.
InPokemon Ruby and Sapphire, there isTeam Magma and Team Aqua respectively. While Team Magma wants to use Groudon to expand Hoenn’s landscape, Team Aqua wishes to use Kyogre to shrink it. Even more shockingly, inPokemon X and Y, Team Flare wishes to create the ultimate weapon that will wipe out the human race and return the planet to a more pristine state. Although Pokemon is a children’s game series, when one focuses their attention on some of the villains, a handful of relatively dark themes are unearthed. WithPokemon Scarlet and Violet, the main villainous gang is Team Star, but unlike prior enemies, their goals seem a lot tamer. Furthermore, the leaders of the group are presented as sympathetic characters who are also victims.
How Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and Team Star Tell a Story About Bullying
Team Star are a gang of bullies found in the Pokemon academy players attend, but they also have bases throughout Paldea. To infiltrate the bases and take down the leader of each outpost, players must defeat numerous Pokemon in a set amount of time. The final boss fight is an interesting one, as Team Star leaders have access to aspecial version of Revavroomthat looks like a large bus. Much like gym leaders, the different Team Star leaders specialize in specific Pokemon types.
In comparison, Team Star is merely known for causing trouble at the Pokemon academy, called Naraja or Uva academy depending on which version players purchase. Although they are viewed as bullies, as players learn more about the team, they learn that they were victims of bullying. Through Team Star,Pokemon Scarlet and Violetmake striking commentary regarding the nature of bullying and how victims can become attackers as a coping mechanism. The villains aren’t just evil. Instead, they have backstories that explain their trauma. However, to tell this story,Scarlet and Violetdo away with the ambitious criminal organizations of the past and instead focus on a gang of unruly kids.
The focus on a less-threatening enemy team may be dismaying to fans who enjoy the larger-than-lifevillains of pastPokemongames. However, Team Star and the challenges they face are far more relatable, and it leaves the young protagonist with a much more realistic obstacle to overcome. Although Team Star may not care about world domination or human extinction, they still present a compelling story and thus are memorable villains.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare available on Nintendo Switch.
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