Pokemon Sword and Shield: Isle of Armor is here. The very first time in franchise history, Pokemon released DLC for his or her game instead of creating a full-priced game within the generation. For half the price of a game title, the Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass provide you with access to, Isle of Armor, available now, and Crown of Tundra, to be released later this year.
In the Isle of Armor, you head to a new Wild Area and therefore are mistaken for a new student that’s to go to the actual Dojo. Time goes on with everything else and you’re given three trials to get the secret armor from the dojo. With two versions, there are slight differences with regards to pokemon and characters. Playing Pokemon Sword, your rival around the Isle of Armor is Klara, a Poison-type trainer. In Pokemon Sword, your rival is Avery, a Psychic-type user, wanting to be first at everything and hog the spotlight. Master Mustard is really a constant in both versions of the DLC and will also be in charge of your training during the Isle.
Upon coming to the Isle, I was surprised and happy to see that it was a giant wild area. Months prior I had completed my Pokedex of 400 creatures. Immediately seeing new creatures from previous generations struck me in the feels, especially seeing some old favorites. The Isle is beautiful using its varying ecosystems, from plains to caves, forests, mountains, along with other small islands. While you travel you can observe different Pokemon roaming and floating, fueling that eagerness to, ‘Gotta catch Em All’.
Usually within the Wild Area, some pokemon roam aimlessly or in the grassy area, you will find exclamation marks signaling of pokemon. This time you can observe pokemon interacting in the environment. I had been awestruck looking out in to the ocean and seeing a giant Wailord sunbathing. And when guess what happens one appears like, it was huge. When you do surf, Sharpedo come barrelling in your direction inside a Jaws style effect. When you’re exploring the forest, it’s so cute seeing Emolgas bouncing and flying from tree to tree. These minor details really capture the world of Pokemon.
When you are looking at catching Pokemon, the Isle of Armor Pokedex only holds a little over 200 creatures. Upon entering the isle, I had more than half from the dex completed. Regardless of the national dex controversy and players wanting all of their favorites to return, I was quite happy with the selection that made the reduce this DLC. And although catching Pokemon is exactly what brings players back each generation, I really enjoyed the DLC’s story and also the cast of characters. Because I literally Shield version, my rival was Avery, a pompous brat of the adult that highly annoyed me but was surprised at his character development through the story’s end. Dojo master, Mustard stole the show for me personally, from loving his character design and demeanor, down to using to battle him.
Pokemon Sword and Shield‘s Isle of Armor is groundbreaking but it gets the job done in pulling trainers back to its world. It’s exciting to see the expansion of the Galar Region with new geography and new stories. Pokemon catching may be the selling point of those games however this time around it is the story and level design that shines brightest. With online features on to see other trainers exploring alongside you, it seems like a potential Pokemon MMO many players have wanted for quite some time. Along with ever-evolving raid dens and events in the Pokemon Company, Sword and Shield has more life inside it and will carry us up to The Crown Tundra.
Pokemon Sword and Shield: Isle of Armor can be obtained for download now on the Nintendo Switch.
