This role-playing game was developed by Game Freak and released for the Nintendo Switch. These titles mark the beginning of the 9th generation in the Pokémon series. Set in the open-world region of Paldea, the games allow players to freely look into towns, mountains, and wild areas without the usual boundaries.
Unlike earlier games, players can now tackle story paths in any order, giving more freedom to how the adventure plays out. New Pokémon species, multiplayer options, and the introduction of the Terastal phenomenon add fresh layers to gameplay.
Area Zero holds secrets no Pokédex can explain (Photo: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet/Game Freak)With their mix of tradition and innovation, Scarlet and Violet offer a new way to experience the Pokémon universe. As you start moving deeper into Area Zero, you’ll begin to sense that things are off with the Professor.
This becomes more obvious when you reach Lab 4 and notice that the Professor’s voice sounds distorted, almost as if the Professor is breaking down. Though they try to make it sound like it’s just a communication glitch, once you step into the Area Zero Lab, it becomes clearer that something is wrong.
Secrets of Area Zero and the AI Professor
You’ll discover that the real Professor actually died during an explosion that also damaged Lab 4 beyond repair. What’s left behind is not a human but an AI version of the Professor — either AI Sada or AI Turo, depending on whether you’re playing Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet.
As you go along, it’s revealed that this AI Professor has been using a Time Machine to pull in Paradox Pokémon from different time periods into the Paldea region. If you’ve come across the Quaking Earth Titan already, then you’ve had a taste of this.
For those with Pokémon Scarlet, that Pokémon would have been Great Tusk, which came from the ancient past, while Pokémon Violet players would have battled Iron Treads, a futuristic form of the same creature.
The AI Professor will mention that the only way to end this project is to use the Scarlet or Violet Book, depending on your version. However, they’ll also warn you that once you place that book on the pedestal, they will automatically switch to battle mode, and you’ll have no choice but to face them in a Pokémon battle.
Something’s off with the Professor and it’s not just static (Photo: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet/Game Freak)When the battle starts, you’ll go up against a full team of Paradox Pokémon led by the AI Professor, to shut down the Time Machine. Even after defeating the AI Professor, the Paradise Protection Protocol, a security measure, will activate and attempt to keep the Time Machine running.
At this point, Koraidon or Miraidon will jump into action, making it impossible for you to use any other Pokémon aside from your own Koraidon or Miraidon. To win this challenging fight, it’s best to Terastallize Koraidon or Miraidon and use their full strength.
Once the battle ends and the Paradise Protection Protocol is finally brought down, the AI Professor will use the Time Machine one last time, disappearing into either the past or the future, depending on their origin.
During the journey through Area Zero, your companions — Penny, Arven, and Nemona — also have their personal turning points. Penny shows just how skilled she is with hacking, while Arven finally makes peace with losing his parent.
These shared moments help them come to terms with their feelings and strengthen their bond with one another. As they begin to leave the lab and walk back to their usual lives, the credits of the game will start to roll.
What Happens After the Endgame
Once the credits finish, you’ll find yourself back at the academy. You, along with Nemona, Penny, and Arven, will be summoned to the director’s office. After a brief talk, you’ll be given a Master Ball. As expected, Nemona will waste no time before suggesting another battle.
Then, Chairwoman Geeta of the Pokémon League will make an appearance. She’s fully behind Nemona’s plan and even suggests turning the next challenge into a tournament involving both staff and students.
Geeta will also assign you the task of re-inspecting all the gym leaders, and the gyms will be marked on your map again. This gives you the chance to face each of them once more in a new set of battles.
