The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is split between two parts, each giving a different place to explore. The first part – The Teal Mask – has recently released, sending us on a joint-school trip to the region of Kitakami. While small, the region is designed to tell the story it needs. To show off what history it intends to.

To start, you’ll get a call from Mr. Jacq, telling you about the trip to the Kitakami region. I could have just flown over to the Academy – which is the meeting point, but instead decided to trek from the snowy mountains in the north to the city of Mesagoza in the south. It had been a while since I was last in Paldea, after all. And I’ll soon be leaving it again for a different reason than not playing the game.

At the meeting point is Ms. Briar, a teacher from Blueberry Academy. Her introduction makes it clear that the hidden treasure of Area Zero will remain hidden during this first part. But that’s okay since there’s plenty to uncover in Kitakami. Relating to the legend of the Loyal Three. The school trip is to learn about the history of why these three Pokémon are so revered by the Kitakami community. Which involves an ogre who loves masks.

Just as with the base game story in Paldea, there are no villain teams to be taking down. The friends the story has you connect with feel natural in their growth and interactions. It’s just a nice small-stakes plot with a tight focus. A plot focused on those characters and interactions. The main duo being the Unovan siblings Kieran and Carmine. Each are opposite, with Carmine being the confident but overbearing sister compared to Kieran being the timid and hesitant brother.

Kieran sees a bigger change throughout the story, becoming a more confident person from the events that happen. Carmine doesn’t change much from the events, but that overbearing side of her has its uses in battle. It might be a short plot, but it’s an enjoyable one. One that introduces a few things and serves as a great way to be guided around the Kitakami region.

The region only has one urban area. The village of Mossui serves as the hub for this school trip, featuring a community centre as its central building, with houses surrounding it. Most of Kitakami is a mountain, with a lot of greenery surrounding it. To the northeast is the Timeless Woods, which is the only place the story won’t take you to. That exploration is served through some side content.

During the story, I would be exploring a lot. There’s a good range of Pokémon to find that are unavailable in Paldea, with some of my favourites being spotted from the off. While exploring up in the mountain, I even came across three shiny Pokémon within two hours. Crazy luck, even with the Shiny Charm. The Kitakami Dex number is half of the Paldea Dex, with roughly an even split between those in the Paldea Dex and those recently added.

Since the region is small, it doesn’t feel like a big search has to take place to see any of the new additions. When first approaching a new area of Kitakami, it’s likely you’ll see one of those recent additions before something from Paldea. But even those from Paldea are still fun to encounter in a new place, even if it can be guessed where most would appear. The raid dens are also in Kitakami, giving an extra way to encounter the new additions.

I’ve really yet to get stuck into side content offered in Kitakami. I’ve started the Perrin quest recently, which has just taken me to the Timeless Woods. I’ve seen a group of trainers calling themselves the Ogre Clan who seem to be a strong group to battle from the one who I have. As for Ogre Oustin’, I’ve only played the mandatory introduction to it, but I do plan on trying more upon completing Perrin’s questline. Then, of course, there’s completing the Kitakami Dex for whatever reward might be given.

At present, it’s hard to say how worth it the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion is when we only have the first part. It’s a lovely region and a lovely story, sure. But I can’t help but feel this is the best part of the overall package. Going to Blueberry Academy will be cool, as will meeting the characters there, but I’m still not sold on that artificial environment as a location. Guess I’ll see once that second part releases. And even if I’m not fully sold on the location, the story stuff back in Area Zero will likely make up for it.

Images Taken From:
Pokémon Scarlet | Nintendo Switch [Handheld]