The Pokémon Company wants everyone to understand that it is just swinging for the fences with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, expanding its ambitions for what can be done with a mainline game in the franchise. Case in point, at the August 2022 Pokémon Presents, the company revealed that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will actually have three separate “stories” that involve attending a school about Pokémon (Naranja Academy or Uva Academy), and going on a grand adventure to defeat eight Gym Leaders is only one of those stories. Additionally, it is now confirmed that you can explore the world and challenge the Gym Leaders in any order.
The Naranja Academy and Uva Academy in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will focus on an independent research project called the “Treasure Hunt,” and defeating eight Gym Leaders and collecting badges somehow plays into that as one of the three stories. However, the trailer did not specify what the other two stories in Scarlet and Violet will entail, except that they hold “many surprises and discoveries.” Briefly, it makes mention of some new characters, like your friend, Nemona, a great of a student named Arven, a shy student named Penny, and Grusha the Ice-type Gym Leader.
You can watch this moment of the Pokémon Presents cued up below. Additionally, check out how the Legendary Pokémon have now become your main mode of transportation in Scarlet and Violet! Plus, there are new Paldean Pokémon to check out, as well as the new type-changing Terastallize mechanic.
