Pokémon The Teal Mask DLC: First Impressions, Review, and Light Spoilers

The first part of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's two-part DLC, "The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero" released globally and, boy, do we have a lot to cover. In just a few hours, we've only scratched the surface of what the expansion has to offer.

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The Teal Mask: Early Gameplay Walkthrough

Read on to see our first impressions, high-level review, and even get into some light spoilers of early gameplay - you've been warned!

If you want to skip on the spoilers, continue on to the next section.

The Teal Mask Beginning Sequence

After installing The Teal Mask DLC update, you'll be prompted to return to your respective Academy where you'll meet Miss Briar, a teacher from the Blueberry Academy. The Blueberry Academy and the Naranja (Scarlet) / Uva (Violet) Academy are about to host their joint school trip to the land of Kitakami.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask - Ms. Briar | Image: Nintendo Supply

During the conversation, Briar mentions she's the descendant of Heath, one of the original researchers who created the Scarlet / Violet Book that played a key role for Sada / Turo in the base Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games. Suspicious. Briar goes on to show a copy of the book, where she specifically points out a page referencing Terapagos, a strange Disk Pokémon. Heath states:

While separated from the research team in the crater's depths, I found a strange...entity. Whether it was a Pokémon, or even alive at all, I know not. It bore a shell with layers of overlapping hexagons, and gleamed brighter still than gemstone. Viewed as a whole, it resembled a mysterious, brilliant disk.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask - Disk Pokémon Terapagos | Image: Nintendo Supply

This excerpt clearly sets the stage for Part Two of the DLC pack set to release this winter, The Indigo Disk. Here we have two main takeaways: (1) Terapagos the disk-like Pokémon is mentioned, which likely has a strong connection to the Terastal phenomenon found throughout the Paldea region, and (2) There's more to Briar than initially meets the eye.

Let's face it, based on her clothing and literal snake-like, slit eyes....we'll just speculate for a second.

She's going to be a villain.

Trying not to judge based on appearances, but we don't trust her overly nice demeanor. She knows too much. And, that's suspicious.

Arriving in Kitakami

After a quick off-screen travel, you arrive in the land of Kitakami - specifically, Mossui Town - which is where the bulk of the beginning sequence takes place. You'll then be introduced to siblings Carmine and Kieran, who are two Blueberry Academy students that will accompany you throughout your adventure in the new land.

Within minutes, you're thrown straight into the action, battling both Carmine and Kieran. If your Pokémon are level ~65+, you'll make quick work of both trainers and continue along in your journey.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask - Carmine | Image: Nintendo Supply

Exploring Kitakami: The Legend of the Ogre and Loyal Three Pokémon

Your first task is to explore several parts of the new land, which give you the opportunity to get better acquainted with your new surroundings and learn a few things about Kitakami's lore. Kieran will accompany you throughout the exploration to three specific shrines that tell the tale of an Ogre that attacked the land and the Loyal Three Pokémon who fought to protect the town: Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask - The Loyal Three Tale | Image: Nintendo Supply

After exploring the second shrine, Kieran invites you to a mask festival that night, hosted each year at the foot of the island's mountain.

The Mask Festival: Ogre Oustin' and Encountering Ogrepon

After arriving at the festival (and a few more Pokémon battles later), you'll be able to play one of the DLC's newest mini-games, Ogre Oustin'. Ogre Oustin' is a game where you pop and deposit items collected from specific-colored balloons all while defending against critters trying to set you back! It's a fun new addition to the game.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask - Ogre Oustin' | Image: Nintendo Supply

Wrapping up your first crack at Ogre Oustin', you'll see someone (or something) sneaking in the distance, which you go on to investigate. After cornering the entity, its mask falls off to reveal it's not a person, but actually a Pokémon. The Pokémon to be exact. Yes, you'll have your first encounter with Ogrepon, who is one of the key characters of this story.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask - Ogrepon | Image: Nintendo Supply

It quickly gets scared off, running back to the mountains and dropping the Teal Mask in the process. Carmine suggests asking her Grandfather for more information the following day.

Plot Twist: The Truth About Ogrepon and the Loyal Three Pokémon

The next day, you'll speak with Carmine's Grandfather, who is the great-great-great-great (I may be missing a "great" or two) descendent of the original Teal Mask maker. While the villagers believe the Loyal Three Pokémon to be heroes of the town, the truth is a secret kept within his family.

Instead, the Loyal Three Pokémon weren't defenders of the town. They were actually thieves that stole three of the original four masks that Ogrepon and his trainer were protecting. Ogrepon retaliated against their original crime, and the villagers only saw Ogrepon's attack.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask - Ogrepon Attacks | Image: Nintendo Supply

TLDR: The Loyal Three Pokémon didn't fall defending the village; they fell for their thievery. The villagers believe the wrong thing and have shunned Ogrepon ever since.

Talk about a plot twist! Clearly this story is more than meets the eye, and we'll likely have other unexpected twists to come. In retrospect, The Loyal Three Pokémon look WAY more sinister than they should for being "good" guys. Missed that one...

The Teal Mask: First Impressions

If you're looking to skip the early gameplay spoilers, you've come to the right place and can continue reading from here.

To sum up our early feelings of the Teal Mask DLC: The Pokémon Company nailed it.

It could be the newness talking, but The Teal Mask comes out of the gates quite strong. You're thrown right into the action with multiple Pokémon battles, a new land to explore, and lore to uncover.

Pokémon Battles

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask - Kieran Battle | Image: Nintendo Supply

One thing that could be improved is the level tuning if your Pokémon are on the higher side. For anything past level ~65, you'll make quick work of Kieran and Carmine during your multiple battles. At times, I actually felt bad when Kieran challenged Miraidon - my literal, legendary god-like Pokémon from the future - with a level 66 Poliwhirl.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask - Miraidon vs Poliwhirl | Image: Nintendo Supply

Kitakami's Beauty

The gameplay is beautiful. There, I said it.

The land is well designed - centered around Oni Mountain - and provides a great sense of exploration. With a maxed-out Miraidon / Kuraidon, you can easily traverse the new area and search through caves, climb to new heights, and soar over rice fields in search of new activities and Pokémon to catch.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask - Kitakami | Image: Nintendo Supply

I'll be honest, I was very skeptical of how this would play - especially since the base game's graphics left a lot to be desired with all the glitches and issues. I haven't experienced any drastic problems so far, which is a win in my book.

Conclusion: Is The Teal Mask Worth The Hype?

In our opinion: yes!

We've enjoyed playing through the DLC so far and have a lot to go. Instead of speed running, we're taking a step back, slowing down, and seeing what the land of Kitakami has to offer.

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