Nintendo and Game Freak has proven in recent years that it’s not afraid to do a total reinvention of one of history’s best-selling franchises, Pokemon. Each new installment and/or DLC have successfully expanded upon the rich lore and beloved gameplay that has made the series such an enduring success. But, as we move towards the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s much-awaited DLC, a series of leaks suggests that the imminent future of the Pokemon series might borrow a page out of its predecessor’s playback.
The source of these leaks is none other than the infamous Pokemon insider Riddler Khu, who has a reputation for revealing details about previous games, including Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
In a recent leak, Khu shared a cryptic image featuring multiple characters, suggesting one of these characters (not including Lacey) “grasps the key of the lore,” hinting at a “big spoiler” for the next mainline Pokemon game following the release of the DLC known by the codename Sudachi.
One of them grasps the key of the lore, not Lacey, and it’s a big spoiler for the next game after sudachi, which? pic.twitter.com/y2kRfUVQhc
— Khu Beating Around The Bush (@Riddler_Khu) July 3, 2023
The vagueness of Khu’s leak has sent fans into a frenzy of speculation about which character holds the key and what implications this has for the next installment. One character, Kieran, has caught the eye of many due to his central position in the image and the cloak of shadows shrouding him behind another character, Carmine. Others suggest the key holder could be one of the characters styled reminiscently of Johto, or even the uniquely robotic-looking character in the top right.
This information, while shrouded in mystery, does hint at some significant revelations. For instance, it seems unlikely that a remake could be in the works. Similarly, the prospects of another Legends game seem slim unless time-traveling elements are introduced. Consequently, theories are gravitating toward the possibility of a sequel to Scarlet and Violet or a brand new installment that further evolves the Pokemon gaming experience.
Notably, this generation represents a landmark transition in the Pokemon series, with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet going the open-world design route. This is a radical departure from the formulaic approach of the original Red and Green games that laid the foundation for the series 25 years ago. As such, it would make sense for Game Freak to build upon this new gameplay format in subsequent releases.
If the leaked information hints at a sequel akin to Pokemon Black 2 and White 2, it could mean that the upcoming DLC will serve to further extend the storyline and lay the groundwork for the next mainline game. This possibility, of course, has lit a fire under the fanbase, though Khu has suggested that interpretations along these lines might be misguided, thereby thickening the plot further.
As fans anticipate the two-part Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, set for Fall and Winter later this year, they currently find themselves immersed in a web of speculations and theories. The first part, The Teal Mask, will see players travel to Kitakami for a school trip, encountering new Pokemon like Ogerpon. The second part, The Indigo Disk, will involve a visit to the sister school, Blueberry Academy.
With the release dates drawing nearer, every tidbit of leaked information feels like another piece of a larger puzzle.
Speaking of Nintendo, details about the company’s next console have leaked, courtesy of Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft. It remains unclear if the Nintendo Switch will be phased out soon but its recent “bullish” stance on the hybrid platform hints that this isn’t happening this year.
Regardless of what it has planned, Nintendo more than deserves the benefit of the doubt. After all, its annual revenue from first-party titles far outstrips that of Sony and Xbox combined.
