Expansion73Pokémon Sword: The Isle of ArmorJun 17, 2020Requires the base game
LUDEX game dossier
Release
Friday, November 15, 2019
Critic score
82/100
Platform families
1
Editorial overview
Inside Pokémon Sword
What it is
A turn-based role-playing game set in the Galar region, a fictional land inspired by the United Kingdom. Players catch, train, and battle creatures called Pokémon while traveling across the region to collect eight Gym badges and ultimately challenge the reigning Champion. The game introduces the Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics, which temporarily transform Pokémon into giant forms with enhanced attacks. A fully explorable open-world Wild Area connects major locations, with weather-dependent Pokémon encounters and cooperative raid battles for up to four players. The first mainline Pokémon entry on the Nintendo Switch, it notably adopted DLC expansions instead of the series' traditional enhanced re-releases.
The premise
A young trainer in the Galar region receives their first Pokémon from Leon, the undefeated Champion of the Galar League and older brother to their best friend Hop. Endorsed to take on the Gym Challenge, the player and Hop set out across Galar to earn eight badges and prove themselves worthy of facing Leon in the Champion Cup. Along the way, they encounter rival challengers, the rowdy fan group Team Yell, and the powerful chairman Rose, who oversees both the League and the region's energy corporation.
While pursuing the Gym Challenge, the player uncovers a deeper mystery tied to an ancient catastrophe known as the Darkest Day and two legendary Pokémon said to have saved Galar from it long ago. As Rose's ambitions threaten to unleash this power again, the player must confront forces far beyond a simple tournament.
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