The New Normal - OMAKE - Ingame Snippets - Kitakami DLC

The New Normal – OMAKE – Ingame Snippets – Kitakami DLC

[The release of the newest Pokémon DLC – Kitakami! A whole new subregion to explore! New Pokémon and Legendaries abound! A whole new story awaits!] by Earlier Access

[Pictures containing snapshots of the games. Ogrepon is briefly shown, but not emphasised – as if trying to hide the fact that it is a Legendary] [Attached trailer of the DLC]

Well, considering the success of the original game, it shouldn’t be all that surprising that the Pokémon company came up with a new DLC to cash in on their success. Fortunately, the Kitakami DLC is far from some cheap cash grab, and serves as a worthy expansion of the original.

The only criticism I do have is that the story, while good, is entirely separate from the previous plot. Meaning that the plot of the DLC is its own self-contained story, which some might prefer, and some might not like. That’s just my warning.

Moving swiftly on from that, as you can probably work out from the name, the DLC contains a new ‘subregion’ of Sinnoh in Kitakami – but don’t be fooled by the term ‘subregion’ – the area is massive. And unlike every other city/location that we’ve been to before, Kitakami is almost completely surrounded by wilderness – you won’t find many cities to explore here.

Therefore, a lot of the focus of the DLC is on free roaming and making full use of the open-world nature of the game. There are no new Gyms to fight, and nothing to restrict your progress like with HMs or any of that. Pretty much from the moment you start the DLC, the entire region of Kitakami is open for you to explore and discover on your own – with all of the hidden secrets and special areas that come along with it.

Because trust me, as hinted at in the trailer, there is far more than meets the eye. This region has way more to offer than just some plain wilderness and wild Pokémon, I assure you.

And of course, there will be new Legendaries and Pokémon that are introduced during the story and as you play through the DLC. I won’t be spoiling what they are now, as their discovery is a big part of the DLC’s progression system.

If you’re worried about whether you’ll be too over levelled for the DLC since you’ve already beaten the endgame – don’t be. The DLC and their wild Pokémon will scale to your level. Not only that, but the wild Pokémon have also been completely revamped, and they also have new behaviour patterns. Some are territorial, some are cowardly, and some are extremely aggressive. It makes the wild Pokémon feel more dynamic to interact with.

For those of you who’ve already played – what are your thoughts on the game so far? Game-changing? Lazy? Somewhere in the middle? Tell us in the comments!

Comments

NoGameNoLife

Honestly, I’m glad that they gave us a different kind of DLC to just ‘more battles’. We’ve gotten the Gauntlet from last time, and I’m really glad this that one is a whole new change of place. Kitakami’s really cool, and it’s basically like exploring a whole new mini-region – and sometimes a whole new game.

MadCuzBad

I’m just glad they didn’t retcon the lore to suddenly introducing super powerful Legendaries in the DLC. I’m already at the point where you encounter the first one (no spoilers), and I think they fit enough within the current lore that it makes sense for them to exist.

I know people don’t really play these games for the story, but the story that they did for Black and White was really good with N and his false ideals. So I’m glad they didn’t completely ruin their ability to tell a coherent story with the DLC. In fact, I’d say the story’s pretty good so far.

LocalEGirl

I was surprised at the amount of ‘cameo’ appearances from the other members of the story. I thought we would be introduced with a whole new cast of characters when we got to Kitakami (as you would expect when you go into a new region), and while we definitely got that, there were so many reoccurring characters too.

Some we expected. Like Cynthia and John – the mainstay couple – but there were more unexpected figures like Drake as well. Honestly, I’m actually really glad for how often they appear in the story. Some might say its fanservice, and while I’m sure that’s partially true, remember that Kitakami is supposed to be a completely new area for the Sinnoh League as well, so it makes sense that they’re exploring the area alongside us. So having characters like that show up makes the world feel more ‘lived in’.

SpeedRunner

Agreed. The fact that you can see them actively walking about the place and ‘doing stuff’ also helps to reinforce the fact that you aren’t the only person here – the others are also trying to learn more about the new regions alongside you.

GitGud

You know damn well if this was a more mature game Drake would probably be swearing up a storm every time you encounter him. I swear in every situation we see him in he’s shouting at someone (to train them, ostensibly) and he reminds me of a drill instructor.

I could TOTALLY imagine Drake dropping like 5 F-bombs every two sentences or so. He definitely could swear like a sailor.

======================

[SPOILERS: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW LEGENDARIES OF KITAKAMI?!] by LocalEGirl

As per the title. I was pleasantly surprised by how things were handled regarding the Legendaries this time. What about you guys?

Comments

GitGud

I was honestly, genuinely surprised that we didn’t get cucked this time. I thought when John said hello to us that it was fucking OVER, that we would never get our hands on a Legendary.

Turns out, that’s not true. I guess the man is losing his edge.

MadCuzBad

Yeah, but he has a Regigigas already. Even with a ‘Legendary’ of our own, he still flexes on you.

LocalEGirl

Actually, I think it’s decently consistent with the behaviour John (and the Leagues, since I’m sure he’s acting on their behalf) has shown. What do we know about John? He’s a man that ALWAYS intervenes whenever someone threatens the status quo with unnatural means – whether that be criminal groups or otherwise.

So he ALWAYS stops you if you try to get your hands on a Legendary, because Legendaries are too powerful to be commanded and are unstoppable beings of destruction. And let’s face it – the ‘Legendaries’ of Kitakami are nowhere near that level. Like, just think back to the N and Zekrom and how destructive those were. The Legendaries of Kitakami are so much weaker in comparison.

BackseatGamer

Well reasoned – I agree with that analysis. I think that John would have intervened had the Legendaries of Kitakami been stronger, but they’re probably just as strong as a Champion’s Ace or something. Nothing that would completely break the status quo or threaten the regions that John so preciously holds up.

And I don’t know if it’s its just me, but I’m actually fine that we got ‘Legendaries’ that weren’t super powerful gods or whatever. I liked their backstories enough, and they at least have their own unique traits that make them stand out from regular Pokémon. Ogrepon-Wellspring superiority, by the way.

GitGud

All other choices besides Teal Mask Ogrepon are just wrong. Accept that fact or weep at your own delusions.

SpeedRunner

That opinion is so wrong it’s almost comical. Ogrepon-Hearthflame is easily the best one. It’s not even close – its attacking potential is just so much better than the others.

MadCuzBad

Anyone a fan of Ogrepon-Cornerstone?

GitGud

Hell no. Get out of here with that idiotic opinion.

SpeedRunner

Normally, I’d say that was too harsh. But agreed. Huge L take.

============

[TOPIC: WAIT, THE FINAL BOSS OF KITAKAMI IS INSANE!] by MadCuzBad

No spoilers as per forum rules, but if you know you know. What the FUCK is that boss?! I love it though! So unique!

Comments

GitGud

Git gud.

BUT – agreed on the boss. Very unique, and I didn’t think that the Pokémon company would do something like this.

LocalEGirl

I just reached that section! AND I AGREE ITS SO DIFFICULT! BUT yeah, pretty unique spin on things. Honestly, the whole Kitakami DLC has been pretty unique so far with its fights, and this was no different.

SpeedRunner

IMO the other fight was better, but that’s just a subjective preference. I’m glad they actually showed the impact of fighting against a Legendary though.

A.N. Had a moment of inspiration, so I ended up writing this up. As always, don’t take this too seriously – this is just me exploring a few ideas I had. And don’t take this as a outline of the events to come, or maybe it will? Still, hope you enjoyed!

Also, again for transparency, despite my illness, I have already begun drafting up the story plans for future upcoming stories. The Pokémon one is in the works, and I do hope you come to enjoy it too. I STILL haven’t seen ZA, but I will do the research necessary to see if that will change anything with my planning.