With just a few months left to go beforePokemon ScarletandVioletofficially release, Game Freak continues to drip feed new information about its upcoming ninth generation ofPokemongames, unveiling new battle mechanics, moves, and items at its 2022 World Championship. Chief among these announcements was the reveal of a brand-new Pokemon called Cyclizar, one that is apparently very common inPokemon ScarletandVioletand used by its residents as a means of transport across the region. Its familiar appearance and function didn’t go unnoticed by fans, however, as fan theories immediately took hold.
Comparisons between the newly announced Cyclizar and the mascot legendaries are easy to make, given the similarity they have with their designs, butfans have been speculating over Cyclizar, Koraidon, and Miraidonand how they might relate to one another. Given that these Pokemon have both a striking resemblance with each other and serve identical purposes of travel, some fans even believe that this is Game Freak’s hint that it will be revisitingPokemon SunandMoon’sown unique legendary gimmick, with Cyclizar possibly being an early-stage Pokemon that will, in one way or another, evolve into Koraidon or Miraidon.
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Fitting into Scarlet and Violet’s Lore
As this wouldn’t be the first instance where Game Freak had introduced a legendary or mythical Pokemon that can evolve, it’s not beyond possibility that Cyclizar will be the first stage of a two stage evolution line, branching off to each game’s respective mascot legendary Pokemon. Both the seventh and eighth generations have included unique legendary evolutions, from Cosmog to Kubfu, so Cyclizar could be continuing a new trend amongPokemongames. With the three Pokemon sharing such a unique design and fulfilling the same purpose, it’s added more fuel to an early theory about the return ofGen 7’s legendary Pokemon evolutions.
Additionally, granting players a Cyclizar to help them get around and consequently having the Pokemon evolve during the games' various stories could help contribute to the games' respective juxtaposition of the past and the future. For instance, while other trainers' Cyclizars might not evolve, the player’s could due to an unknown phenomenon that respectively evolves them into Koraidon or Miraidon, explaining away the exception and adding to the games' story.Professors Sada or Turomay even play a role in its evolution, as they too reflectScarletandViolet’semphasis on the past and future.
Easier Transition Into Open World Travel
The reveal of Cyclizar has dispelled earlier beliefs that trainers would be granted access to Koraidon and Miraidon early in the game, as now players assume they will first use Cyclizar before eventually upgrading to the mascot legendaries. Not only will this help ease players intoScarletandViolet’snew open-world design, but it may also help guide players as ifPokemongames were adopting a Metroidvania styleof gameplay. For example, Cyclizar may be rideable and could help players traverse water, but it may not be able to climb walls or glide, with its evolution into Koraidon or Miraidon granting those abilities.
Moreover, by linking the open-world design to a Pokemon the player will likely grow close to, giving it the ability to evolve into the legendary Pokemon with important exploration abilities will only further this connection and engage players. This harkens back to another Pokemon tradition where players aregifted unique Pokemon, just as Cosmog was back inSunandMoon,and consequently, trainers will form a bond with these special Pokemon, as other trainers won’t have them, nor can they be caught in the wild. Should Cyclizar fulfill this role like Cosmog did, however, questions remain about how will it evolve and when.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletare set to release on November 18, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
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