I was worried going into this since I thought there would have been some focus into the original cast (which is what I wanted originally) since their relationship didn't get to flourish fully, but this sidelines them completely for a new cast. Pokémon may not be recognized for it's thoughtful story and characterization outside of maybe 3 games, but this is one of those 3 so it had a standard to hold I think. It didn't quite do that but it's still pretty cute, Kieren and Carmine are pretty tropey characters but they do enough with them and they have a fun dynamic, though because of how short this ended up being their development felt a bit stilted, but I'm still interested in seeing how this introverted 10 year old boy becomes a fucked up trad emo. Billy and O'Nare are fucking hysterical, Briar was there I guess, maybe she'll do something next time. Perrin was kinda nothing but her quest was one of the best things in the game so it evens out, and that's all of them?

The music is really great but I wish there was more, the new Pokémon, ESPECIALLY Ogrepon are great but I wish there was more, besides that dumb fuckin bitch monkey thumb ass stupid fucking monkey. The new region was alright, but the landmarks minus a couple of them were kinda nothing. This circle of normal looking rocks that may have been here for hundreds of years? Let's stick a dumbass sign board RIGHT on top of it. There are. So. Many. Items. Everywhere. I know this is something people talk about in the base game too but it's so much worse in this. I could literally spin in a circle, spam the pick up button and I'd pick up so many items that it would queue the log of items I picked up for up to a full minute, and a good 50% of the items you see on the ground just don't exist, like you'll pick them up and you just get literally nothing. Probably a bug but it was really crazy.

There's really not much to say, not only is it Pokémon but it's DLC. The lasting quality of this is entirely dependent on how good the second one is. The sword and shield DLC's not being sold separately is fuckin crazy but with this one it's not that bad since it literally ends on a really hysterical cliffhanger? So like you can't really play the second one without playing this one, but $35? NOT worth the $35, just wait and see if the second one is better. Fuck the balloon game AND Monkidori, AND you for not bringing back Crobat yet. I will be waiting somewhat patiently.