I have strong opinions about Scarlet and Violet, perhaps more so than most other core series games. I didn't hate it, I didn't want all those hours of my life back after I had played it, but I'd have to say it's probably my least favorite core series entry for several reasons.
I agree with @KomodoZero that the world is way too empty for its size. I really think SV were trying to ride the Zelda: Breath of the Wild train, but they neglected to understand that a massive open world worked so well in BotW because there was so much to do besides follow the main storyline. I was really disappointed in the total lack of side quests in SV, and I had to make up excuses not to just go directly from one Gym/Team Star base/Titan Pokémon to the next. It felt too weird coming from Legends: Arceus with its really beefy storyline and plenty of side quests, to SV with a thinner plot that was really the only worthwhile thing for story-driven gamers to experience. SV feels like the sort of game trying to cater to people who mostly want to run around catching and training Pokémon all day, but if you're not that kind of person, SV kind of fizzles.
I also have mixed feelings about the plot and characters. I think SV had some really great ideas, but I wasn't totally pleased with how they were executed. I really loved Penny and the Team Star plotline, and what they have to say about the repercussions of bullying and judging people from first impressions. I also enjoyed watching the growth of the friendship between Arven and the player character, but I wasn't really satisfied with how his character arc was resolved at the climax, especially since after all the crazy stuff that goes down in Area Zero, he just kinda shrugs it off and laughs as he walks into the sunset, and I'm left like, "shouldn't this kid need therapy after everything he's been through". I was also disappointed with Nemona's, well, lack of a character arc. Her personality felt really one-dimensional, and in Area Zero when Penny and Arven were opening up and talking about their struggles, Nemona was just "I like battling!!!". I feel like maybe the writers were trying to make her emotionally simpler to balance out Penny and Arven, but they went a little too far and just gave her a one-track mind.
I also thought the supporting NPCs (the Gym Leaders, academy teachers, Elite Four, etc.) were fun, but it felt like you interacted with each of them too briefly to establish any sort of depth. I really expect more substance from a Switch game, but it seemed like SV had reverted to the earliest core series generations where most named NPCs weren't much more than a passing note on your journey.
That said, @Darren, I would recommend the DLC because I actually think it's generally a step up from the core game. The Teal Mask has, in my opinion, a much stronger storyline (Kieran really is a great character, and don't be surprised if you end up liking Carmine too), and the smaller map of Kitakami actually fits the plot better and doesn't feel as empty. The Indigo Disk is honestly more focused on battling than story - the plot just amounts to "defeat the Blueberry Academy Elite Four" - but I loved all the Unova references and throwbacks (although I hope it's not a replacement for actual Gen V remakes at some point), and of course it also culminates in the resolution of the overarching DLC plotline.
At any rate, I enjoyed the music (I get the East Province theme stuck in my head so easily). I also love the multiplayer functionality because my niece really enjoys when I accompany her in the game and help her with Tera Raid Battles. One time we were playing together and I found a shiny Shinx for her, and she was so excited when she caught it, so that was great fun.
