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| The starter Pokemon in Sword and Shield (L-R): Grookey, Skorbunny, Sobble (Image Source: Polygon.com/Nintendo/The Pokemon Company) |
Many
gamers and Pokemon fans were not disappointed when Pokemon Sword and Shield for
the Nintendo Switch became available and it did not disappoint them either as
these two were the fastest selling Nintendo Switch games after having more than
six million copies sold in just two weeks exceeding the first week gross of Super
Smash Brothers Ultimate. Although it was heavily criticized for its lack of
pre-existing Pokemon that literally became an issue on social media, Sword and
Shield delivered its own solid outing that has delighted Pokemon fans who are
waiting anxiously for the franchise's next installment.
If
my own memory serves me right, Sword and Shield are the first major
installments of the popular and globally renouned Pokemon franchise to be made
exclusively for any Nintendo home gaming console. The series has always thought
to be handheld exclusives since Pokemon Red and Blue on the original Nintendo
Game Boy back in 1995. But it would seem that the evolving trends and
developments in video gaming through the years push the series to make a huge
change. Nevertheless, Pokemon Sword and Shield holds the same premise of fun
and excitement that young and old gamers have enjoyed in previous installments.
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| A screenshot of Pokemon Sword and Shield's first Gigantamax Raid (Image Source: GameSpot) |
Apart
from the premise of catching Pokemon and battling Pokemon trainers, what makes
Pokemon Sword and Shield different from its predecessors is its new features adding
flavor and prestige to the game's feel and environment. These include the wide open-world
environment within the Wild Fields surrounding the whole Galar region, the
intriguing Max Raid Battles that are first introduced in Pokemon Go, the Dynamax
and Gigantamax evolution processes and Pokemon Camps where trainers can have
fun with their caught Pokemon. Speaking of Galar, I love the fact that the
region bears a striking resemblance to the United Kingdom as well as the plot
where trainers need to strengthen themselves in Pokemon and gym battles in
order to face the undisputed Pokemon League Champion Leon in a tournament that
is participated by the gym leaders.
With
raids, camps, jobs and new evolutions along the way, I assume that gamers would
have doubts on what more they can expect from Pokemon Sword and Shield. But if
you think you have what it takes to become a Pokemon Master in the Galar region
regardless of what you think of the game, there is no reason why Pokemon Sword
and Shield is one Pokemon game that you should try out at the start of a brand
new year.
Pokemon Sword and Shield for
the Nintendo Switch is available at Datablitz and Game One PH branches
nationwide and online via Datablitz.com.ph and GameOne.ph in either Standard
Edition, Special Edition or Steelbook Edition. For more updates and information
on upcoming games and deals, follow @DatablitzPH and @GameOnePH on Facebook and
Twitter.
