User:Pokelego999/sandbox/Area Zero

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Area Zero
First appearancePokémon Scarlet and Violet (2022)
Last appearancePokémon Scarlet and Violet (2022)
GenreJapanese role-playing game
In-universe information
Race(s)Pokémon
LocationPaldea
LocationsZero Lab
CharactersAI Professor Sada, AI Professor Turo, Paradox Pokémon

Area Zero is a fictional location in the 2022 video games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It is a mysterious space contained within The Great Crater of Paldea that is in the center of the region, and the origin point of the Terastallization phenomenon.[1] Area Zero has received a positive critical response since its debut.

Description[edit]

Area Zero is a mysterious space within The Great Crater of Paldea, obscured from the outside world by a dense cloud layer. The area inside is a vibrant, grassy area, with many hill-like landscapes, bodies of water, and plant life such as trees. Several caves dot the landscape. At the bottom is the opening to a much larger cave. The cave contains the Zero Lab, the Professor's research laboratory, which contains a massive time machine inside, which the Professor used to call Pokémon from the Past and Future, dubbed Paradox Pokémon.

Mysterious crystal-like formations reminiscent of the crystals formed by Terastallization dot the area and become more frequent closer to the bottom. The crystals give off a mysterious energy, stated to be the same as the energy given off from Terastallization, and can improve the performance of machinery immensely, seen in the form of the Professor's AI and their time machine,[2] though its effects only seem to work inside of Area Zero.[3]

Area Zero is stated to have a barrier around it, which prevents the escape of the Paradox Pokémon summoned by the Professor's time machine, though this barrier can be broken by the wild Pokémon, as shown by a rogue Paradox Pokémon managing to break out and escape during the game's events.[4] Herba Mystica is also stated to grow inside of Area Zero, but none is seen inside of it during the game itself.[5]

Four broken and dilapidated research stations exist throughout Area Zero. Each one contains a lock, and when all four are disabled, the Zero Lab can be opened.[6]

In the games[edit]

Two thousand years prior to the events of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Paldean Empire heard rumors of a great treasure buried deep within Area Zero. They sent expeditions, but all of them resulted in failure, eventually leading to the decline of the Empire, with the treasure still undiscovered.[7]

Ten years prior to the events of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Professor Sada (In Scarlet) or Professor Turo (In Violet) attempted to solve the mysteries of mysterious wild Terastallized Pokémon that were found in Area Zero. They discovered the mysterious energy given off by the crystals in Area Zero and were able to create Tera Orbs using them. This allowed Terastallization to occur outside of the Great Crater.[1] 

The Professor, using this energy, worked to create a time machine, eventually succeeding. They successfully summoned multiple Koraidon (In Scarlet) or Miraidon (In Violet) from the machine, as well as many other Pokémon from either the past (Scarlet) or the future. (Violet) They had worked together with their spouse, but they eventually walked out on the Professor and their son, Arven. The Professor, stricken, created an AI replica of themselves to help in their research and began neglecting Arven in favor of working further on the time machine. Sometime prior to the events of the games, the two Koraidon/Miraidon got into a territorial struggle. The Professor attempted to stop it, but was killed in the process, with the weaker one fleeing. The Professor's time machine was left active, still summoning Paradox Pokémon. The AI begins to grow disillusioned with the Professor's ideas and subsequently wishes to shut down the device, but finds they are unable to due to their programming.

During the events of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Professor's AI contacts Arven and the player after all five Titan Pokémon are defeated, asking for them and strong allies to go to Area Zero to help them. Once there, the group discover the Paradox Pokémon, and disable the locks to the Zero Lab. The Professor's AI explains the situation to the player, who agrees to help shut down the time machine. However, the machine's self defense protocols take control of the AI, forcing it to attack the player. After the AI's defeat, more defense systems activate, locking the group's Poke Balls and forcing the AI to summon their Koraidon/Miraidon. The player defeats the opposing Legendary Pokémon with their own, allowing them to shut off the device, with the AI departing for another time in order to permanently shut down the protection protocols.

Reception[edit]

Area Zero has been met with a positive critical reception since the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Siliconera highlighted the location's haunting atmosphere, as well as the team up between the player and characters Arven, Penny, and Nemona, calling the endgame "extremely fulfilling."[8] The usage of the area in Arven's character arc also received positive reception, with Jacob Cresswell of CBR.com noting that Area Zero's "otherworldly design" allows for the story to remain "remarkably grounded" despite the story's major twists.[9] Many fans highlighted the creepy nature of Area Zero, and praised the location's overall atmosphere,[10] as well as the music, which was composed by Toby Fox and Gō Ichinose.[11] However, Joseph Andress, writing for Game Rant, believed the area to be a missed opportunity, believing that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, "paid more attention toward making each game's Pokémon unique rather than the area itself," and criticized the lack of change in appearance between versions of the games.[12]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Whaling, Jacob (2022-12-21). "Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: What Is The Tera Orb?". TheGamer. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  2. ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. "Professor Sada/Turo: The crystals here in Area Zero possess a peculiar energy. This energy can alter the functions of living things and optimize the performance of machinery. It is the same energy that allows Pokémon to Terastallize."
  3. ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. "Professor Sada/Turo: Humanity does not, in fact, possess the knowledge to develop such a sophisticated AI at present. But the crystals that make up the Zero Lab have made such a thing possible here. They are also why I cannot leave this place."
  4. ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. "Professor Sada/Turo: At present, the barrier around Area Zero is still working to keep the ancient/future Pokémon from escaping into the rest of Paldea. But we've begun to see Pokémon appear that can break the barrier—such as Great Tusk/Iron Treads."
  5. ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. "Scarlet/Violet Books: Area Zero was home to wondrous herbs that instantly impart vigor when eaten. We dubbed them Herba Mystica and attempted to grow some in areas around Paldea. However, before we could harvest, the herbs were eaten by Pokémon—which in turn grew large and strong. We call these Titan Pokémon."
  6. ^ Life, Nintendo (2022-12-21). "Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Great Crater Of Paldea - What Is Area Zero?". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  7. ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. "Raifort: ...Area Zero's Great Era of Exploration began about two thousand years ago. This era lasted for approximately one thousand years, but not a single soul was able to venture all the way to the deepest reaches of Area Zero. Having poured much of its human and financial resources into the exploration of Area Zero for so long, the Paldean Empire fell into decline."
  8. ^ "Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Ending Wraps Up Characters and Professors' Stories Well". Siliconera. 2023-01-02. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  9. ^ "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Wild Ending Is One of the Best in Series History". CBR. 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  10. ^ Whitworth, Spencer (2022-12-21). ""Area Zero is creepy as hell": Pokemon Scarlet and Violet community discusses mysterious location in the Great Crater". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  11. ^ Michael, Cale (2022-12-20). "Undertale creator Toby Fox finally shares what songs he worked on for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet". Dot Esports. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  12. ^ "Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC Settings Seem to Make Good On a Missed Opportunity From Area Zero". Game Rant. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2023-05-24.

External links[edit]

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