Pokemon Gen 10’s Archipelago Setting: A Risky Gamble for Open World?

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Summary

  • Pokemon Gen 10, codenamed Gaia, is rumored to be set in the Cyclades in an archipelago.
  • The open-world water traversal may pose challenges due to past issues with water gameplay.
  • The game needs to improve the water travel experience to succeed, possibly adding evolutions based on Greek mythology.

Although Pokemon games typically follow a three-year cycle, with Generation 10 set to release in 2026 instead of the usual 2025, it’s quite likely that the successor to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be a massive hit and worth the wait. If leaks and reports are accurate, this new game could potentially debut on the Nintendo Switch 2, which is said to be exclusive to this next-generation console and not its predecessor. Last year’s TeraLeak hinted at some information about Generation 10, which has been codenamed “Gaia.” According to rumors, it’s set in an archipelago called the Cyclades.

As a dedicated Pokémon fan, I must share something intriguing that might catch some of us off guard: Remember that painting found in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, with its sun-kissed street filled with blooming flowers and plants? The cobblestone pathway, the white buildings, and the entire setting gave a strong Italian vibe, sparking rumors that predate even Gen 9’s release. However, if leaks are to be believed, the upcoming Pokémon series won’t be set in Italy but in a nearby Mediterranean Sea country – Greece this time. Although the prospect is thrilling, it’s essential to remember that the “confirmation” based on leaks can also bring about some challenges for several reasons.

Pokemon Gen 10’s ‘Confirmed’ Setting Could be a Controversy Waiting to Happen

In the game Gen 10, you might traverse approximately 30 islands in an archipelago called the Cyclades, though not all of them may be inhabited. While it’s possible you’ll visit many, if not all, of these islands, they won’t necessarily mirror their real-life counterparts exactly. The game environment will still maintain the essence of a sprawling open world, surrounded by water. However, just like previous settings didn’t replicate reality perfectly, Gen 10 doesn’t need to include every island from the Cyclades. One potential issue with this design is that it might evoke memories of too much water in the Hoenn Pokemon games and players may not prefer traveling extensively across bodies of water.

In Generation 8 games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, navigating Pokemon or vehicles on water feels awkward compared to moving the character in the overworld because the movement has a distinct feel. Moreover, evading random battles on water is often trickier than on land. The speed at which Veluza and certain other creatures attack players in the water sections of these games makes them quite challenging, essentially turning them into tedious tasks.

The Pros and Cons of Pokemon Gen 10’s Leaked Setting Being an Archipelago

If Pokémon Generation 10 is located in a Greek archipelago and adopts an open-world approach like PLA (Pokémon Legends: Arceus) and Gen 9, it’s crucial that navigating water is enhanced for a smoother gameplay experience. The allure of Greece as a setting lies in its potential for unique Pokémon evolutions inspired by Greek mythology. However, if there are no significant improvements made to the open-world water sections, even with such a promising concept, it could lead to issues.

In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Koraidon and Miraidon can move over water once certain story events occur, but they eventually gain abilities to navigate the world in other ways as well, making it tricky to combine them all while sailing. Performing a water travel followed by a flight maneuver can be quite challenging, especially when playing in calm waters where players might be pursued by wild creatures. The entire archipelago serving as the game’s setting puts significant emphasis on navigating water, and Gen 10 should pay special attention to this aspect if they aim for success.

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2025-04-29 00:04