Yesterday, the hopes of many were fulfilled with the news that Pokémon Day (the anniversary of the release of the first title’s in the series in Japan) would see a special, 8-minute long Pokémon Direct that would provide fans with a first look at the future of the franchise. For me, this was less about excitement and more about trepidation, a desperate hope that this game would grip me like the series has failed to with it’s more recent entries, which I have played yet always failed to finish. I wanted the excitement that I used to feel when playing the pre-3D entries to return, I wanted the sheer joy I could remember feeling when Pokémon X and Y were revealed for the very first time. Well, with the Direct having come to an end with the news that a brand new generation of Pokémon is on the way, I can safely say that the region of Galar and Pokemon Sword and Shield have me excited for the upcoming titles in a way I’ve not felt in years.
This reveal showcased the region of Galar for the very first time. Unlike with Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee, which brought the series to HD for the very first time, this was a chance for Game Freak to showcase what the Nintendo Switch was capable of with a new title designed from the ground up for the platform, instead of simply remaking a previous title. You can see this in the more ambitious world on display, both in terms of visuals and complexity. The hilltop town and houses showed off right at the start of the new trailer ensure that the trademark visual style of the 3D entries of the series is maintained while also taking the series above what we have come to expect so far. Mine shafts, a football stadium, massive cityscapes, it certainly suggests a large departure from the more rural stylings of Kanto and more reminiscent of Unova, the region shown off in Pokémon Black and White.
We also got a brief look at a few new Pokémon that will be in the new game, including the new starters for these new titles. Grookey is a grass-type chimp Pokémon who is described as being rather mischievous and full of boundless curiosity. Scorbunny, meanwhile, my personal favorite of the bunch, is a fire-type Pokémon who loves to run around (as we saw for ourselves in the trailer for the game shown during this Direct) and is always full of energy. The water-lizard Pokémon Sobble is rather shy in comparison to the other starters, a timid Pokémon with the ability to make itself invisible and who often hides in water. Any one of these Pokémon could be your starter Pokémon as you begin a journey through this new region and attempt to become the Pokémon Champion, with many more unseen Pokémon also waiting to be found.
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are both set to release simultaneously worldwide in late 2019 exclusively for Nintendo Switch, and I, for one, can’t wait to get my hands on them.