Pokémon Sword and Shield: Isle of Armor review – The Verge

This quest line does not take long to play through, but actually its simply a method of getting you familiarized with the new place. The Isle of Armor is essentially a brand-new wild area to check out, and the closest thing youll get to an open-world Pokémon experience. What I liked most was the diversity: there are wetlands and caves, and smaller islands to find. Youll walk throughout beaches loaded with colorful Slowpokes and ride an unusual bike through the sea while a Sharpedo chases you. What you do on the island is the very same as constantly. This is still a game about catching beasts and developing your perfect battling group. Having a brand-new space to do it in, and lots more creatures to collect, is perfect for those looking for a factor to get back into the game.

Isle of Armor simply adds more of this. More beasts, more areas, and a few little diversions to add some structure. And you can do it all with a Squirtle right behind you.

“Isle of Armor,” the first expansion for Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Switch, takes one of the best parts of the experience– the big, open “wild area”– and fleshes it out into a larger world to explore. Its pretty standard: you get here at a dojo where you play through a couple of difficulties, which eventually results in you getting Kubfu, a lovable cross in between a ninja and a raccoon, to add to your pokémon team. The Isle of Armor is basically a new wild location to explore, and the closest thing youll get to an open-world Pokémon experience. When I wrapped up the main campaign for Pokémon Shield, the wild area is what kept me coming back to the game. It was nice just roaming around, in the same method that it can be good to ride a horse in The Witcher or go for a drive in Grand Theft Auto with the radio shrieking and no location in mind.

When I covered up the primary campaign for Pokémon Shield, the wild location is what kept me coming back to the game. It was nice just roaming around, in the same way that it can be great to ride a horse in The Witcher or go for a drive in Grand Theft Auto with the radio shrieking and no location in mind.

Theres are Digletts scattered across the island that you can find to make brand-new monsters, and the aforementioned dojo can be slowly upgraded with things like a hair salon and vending device. For me, though, Ive mostly been taking pleasure in expanding my pokédex; regardless of playing just a bit each day, Ive already included 80 new beasts, including a very essential Squirtle. Even much better: pokémon can now follow you around, simply like in the Lets Go video games.

The Isle of Armor growth is offered now for Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch.

The new island is a separate area of the Galar area, and it does have its own small story to play through. Its pretty standard: you get here at a dojo where you play through a couple of challenges, which ultimately leads to you getting Kubfu, a charming cross in between a ninja and a raccoon, to include to your pokémon group. The difficulties are standard Pokémon tropes like collecting items (in this case gathering mushrooms in a cave) and defeating a rival (in this case a prospective health club fitness instructor with a magic hat).

Its been a nice change of pace. “Isle of Armor,” the first growth for Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Switch, takes one of the best parts of the experience– the big, open “wild area”– and fleshes it out into a larger world to check out.