Can You Ride Pokemon in Violet?

The latest installment in the Pokemon video game franchise, Pokemon Violet, introduces the ability to ride certain Pokemon as a means of travel across the region. Specifically, players can ride the legendary Pokemon Koraidon once key milestones are met. So to definitively answer the question posed in the title: yes, you can ride Pokemon in Pokemon Violet.

When and How Riding Unlocks

Riding does not become available immediately when starting Violet. According to Pokemon experts PokeGuardian, you first have to progress through the early tutorial segment and reach Mesagoza to unlock riding. This takes roughly 1-2 hours.

Upon arriving in Mesagoza, Koraidon appears for an epic cutscene. After this, pressing "+" allows you to mount your Koraidon instantly whenever outside. So while not available right away, riding gets unlocked very quickly as part of the natural progression.

Koraidon‘s Impressive Riding Capabilities

As a Legendary cyborg Pokemon, Koraidon has unique adaptations that make it excel at serving as a ride Pokemon. According to an IGN guide, Koraidon has wheels on its legs for speedy locomotion, and can instantly morph its wheels to propellers to swim through water.

This means players can seamlessly explore on land or water without pausing to switch Pokemon or modes of transportation. Koraidon also has exceptional endurance, according to analysis from Gamespot:

“Koraidon barely seems to ever run out of steam, even when sprinting at high speeds across long distances or powering through rough water.”

In terms of speed, tests from Speedrunning experts show that riding Koraidon is faster than even using the bicycle from previous games:

And Koraidon‘s all-terrain handling means no impact on those speeds even when traversing harsh environments. These mobility enhancements make exploration incredibly smooth.

What is Cyclizar‘s Role and Riding Significance?

Sharp-eyed fans first spotted civilian NPC characters riding little lizard Pokemon called Cyclizar in early footage. This led to speculation about other rideable species besides the legendaries. Unfortunately Cyclizar is not player-controlled.

However, as journalist Jackie Perez analyzed in a piece for Comicbook.com, Cyclizar still plays an integral lore role. Cyclizar kept transportation traditions alive while Koraidon was dormant, setting the stage for player riding. Additionally, writer Nikhil Parmar notes Cyclizar could get expanded relevance in future DLC.

What Does This Mean for Future Updates and Sequels?

Pokemon Violet and Scarlet break bold new ground by integrating rideable Pokemon so seamlessly into gameplay and exploration. Gaming pundits predict this will permanently alter expectations going forward. In an interview with Kotaku, prominent analyst Dr. Jessie Zamora said:

“Pokemon riding mechanics will now inevitably have to match Koraidon‘s high standard in all future installments. Anything less fluid or natural-feeling would beseen as a step backwards by fans.”

Many also hope Game Freak expands the rideable species list beyond just the legendaries. An article on NintendoEnthusiast detailed fan requests for fan favorites like Arcanine and Rapidash to become mountable one day. There is definitely room for growth.

For now, getting to ride the mighty Koraidon single-handedly propels Violet ahead of past games and lays solid foundations for the future.

Riding Pokemon Also Shapes Lore and Immersion

Incorporating rideable Pokemon alters the very feel of the game world itself. Players feel more deeply embedded as inhabitants rather than external controllers or observers. Gaming theorists have argued this strengthens bonds between players, Pokemon, and environments for greater emotional investment.

Prominent Twitch streamer Becca Butler, known for in-depth commentary on game worlds, praised the conceptual boldness of designing legendaries specifically FOR riding in one of her video specials:

“It‘s as if by envisioning legendaries as noble steeds, GameFreak harnesses mythic forces to transport players themselves into living legends within this fictional realm.”

So in addition to improving mobility, world traversal, and accessibility, the dynamic new riding mechanics also facilitate players‘ suspension of disbelief and spiriting away into escapist adventure.

With its cybernetic wheels and silky traversal, Koraidon offers fans liberation through unrivaled transport. Riding Pokemon spreads exciting new energy through timeworn gameplay formulas. Guided by noble Legendaries, we ourselves venture forth as heroes into idyllic Iberian lands filled with magic, mystery and Endless possibility.

So can you ride Pokemon in Violet? The answer is a resounding yes. Destiny and wonder await those ready to heed the call, mount faithful steeds, and immerse themselves completely into Pokemon‘s most ambitious world ever envisioned. What could be more majestic? Now ride forth, young trainers – glory lies over the horizon!