Pokémon Scarlet/Violet: Console’s Open-World Pokémon Adventure

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced open-world gameplay to the mainline Pokémon series on consoles, letting you explore the Paldea region freely, but what about this shift from the traditional linear structure—did you enjoy the freedom to tackle gyms, Titans, and Starfall Street in any order, or did you miss the more guided experience of previous games? Which of the new Paldean Pokémon did you find most charming or useful on your team, and how did you feel about the game’s technical issues (like frame rate drops) at launch—did they affect your enjoyment, or were you able to look past them? Also, have you completed the Pokédex, and what was the hardest Pokémon to catch?