Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Players Call Out Devs For Reusing Legendary Signature Move Animations

The Pokemon Scarlet & Violet community has been buzzing with discontent as fans take to social media platforms to voice their frustration over the reuse of signature move animations for certain Legendary Pokemon. Despite the anticipation surrounding the game and the expectation for unique and awe-inspiring animations, players have noticed a disappointing lack of creativity in this aspect. This issue adds to a growing list of complaints about the overall quality of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, which many believe was hastily developed to meet a predetermined release date.

Even signature moves are using re-used animation now??
by u/TheRealPdGaming in pokemon

The Significance of Signature Moves

Signature moves have played a crucial role in the Pokemon series, as they are exclusive to specific Pokemon or evolution lines. These powerful attacks have been a staple throughout the history of the franchise, showcasing the strength and uniqueness of Legendary Pokemon. Examples include Kinesis for Kadabra/Alakazam and Bonemerang for Cubone/Marowak. Traditionally, Legendary Pokemon have been bestowed with devastating signature moves to further emphasize their superiority over common Pokemon.

Reused Animations in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

With the integration of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet into Pokemon Home, players have recently discovered that certain signature move animations have been reused. TheRealPdGaming, a member of the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet community on Reddit, brought attention to this issue. Specifically, the animations for Kyogre’s Origin Pulse and Regidrago’s Dragon Energy were found to be identical, with only the colors altered.

The Importance of Unique Animations

The Pokemon series has always strived to provide Legendary Pokemon with individual animations for their signature moves, highlighting their immense power and distinctiveness. While there have been rare instances of animation reuse in the past, this has been the exception rather than the rule. Players expect a higher level of effort and attention when it comes to the signature moves of Legendary Pokemon. These iconic creatures, known for their earth-shattering abilities, deserve animations that accurately reflect their status, rather than being treated as mere afterthoughts compared to the more common Pokemon like Rattata and Pidgey.

The Disappointment and Acceptance

Unfortunately, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet has fallen short in this regard, resorting to animation recycling. However, fans have become somewhat accustomed to such shortcomings. Despite the initial dissatisfaction with the state of the Generation IX games upon their release, the enthusiasm for the franchise remains unshaken, evident by the impressive sales figures exceeding 22 million copies. The reuse of Legendary Pokemon signature move animations represents just one more letdown in a series of disappointments associated with Generation IX. The lack of incentive to improve the games, given their guaranteed sales, has created an environment where cutting corners has become the norm.