Jun 052019
After getting some news from the Pokémon press conference, today is the day we were really waiting for – the day of the Pokémon Direct!
The Pokémon Direct provided a lot of new details about Pokémon Sword and Shield, so let’s take a look.
First off, while Pokémon Sword and Shield aren’t open world (again, something I’m happy for), they do have a wide open region called the “Wild Area” that connects several towns and cities. The Wild Area has a wide variety of locations and lets you freely control the camera while exploring.
Pokémon also appear in the field in the Wild Area, although it’s unclear if other parts of the Galar region will still have random encounters or not. (Maybe only in tall grass?)
The big new combat mechanic this time is “Dynamax,” a feature where Pokémon turn into giant versions of themselves. You can use Dynamax once per battle, and it lasts for three turns. It sounds like this might replace the Z-Moves from Sun and Moon.
Gyms are back and will feature Dynamax battles, and there are also new multiplayer “Max Raid Battles” in the Wild Area that let up to four players team up to take on a special Dynamax Pokémon with a chance to capture it.
They introduced several important characters, including the Champion Leon, his younger brother Hop who also acts as your rival, Professor Magnolia and her granddaughter, and the Grass Gym Leader Milo. A few new Pokémon were shown off as well, include Corviknight, a giant raven-like Pokémon. From the way they described Corviknight, I worried it might only serve as a taxi, but it looks like you can catch them as well.
Finally, they showed the two Legendary Pokémon, Zacian of Pokémon Sword and Zamazenta of Pokémon Shield.
Pokémon Sword and Shield will be out worldwide on November 15.
Overall, this was an exciting Pokémon Direct. I didn’t particularly enjoy the last couple Pokémon generations, but I’m excited for Pokémon Sword and Shield. It’s adding plenty of exploration without going full open world, there’s still turn-based combat, and everything they’ve shown so far looks great.
The only thing I dislike is that apparently the Rotom Phone is returning with your Pokédex and other feature, but here’s hoping it’s less annoying than in Sun and Moon.
I’ll want to know more about any version exclusives, but right now I want Pokémon Sword because of Sif Zacian.
Are you excited for Pokémon Sword and Shield after what we learned today?
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” From the way they described Corviknight, I worried it might only serve as a taxi, but it looks like you can catch them as well.”
Silly Alienhard… if it’s a Pokémon then OF COURSE you can catch it!
I should’ve realized that since even the Ultra Beasts were catchable.
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