When it comes to video game franchises, Pokémon is right up near the top amongst some of the best who have made the biggest impact. So, to hear the first week sales of both Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield coming in at more than six million worldwide - making it the most successful of any Pokémon video game launch to-date - was no surprise. But does the game itself live up to the hype set after years of rumours and speculation?
Sword and Shield are set in the brand new region of Galar - which has clear British influences from its location design, new Pokémon species and hilariously stereotypical dialogue ("Fancy a fight with a Coppa mate?!") - allowing both those well-versed in the way of Pokémon games a brand new adventure, as well as an easy place to jump in for those who may not have tackled one of the previous Pokémon titles throughout the years.
Packed full of personality and charm, players will quickly fall in love with the stunning scenes they're surrounded by, and the dozens of new mini monsters that they'll be encouraged to catch. The colours and imagination used to bring Galar and its residents - both human and otherwise - to life, is something worth celebrating. It might not be the most graphically-advanced video game on the Switch console, but it's still a visually-pleasing experience.
Those who have been fans of the series for years will be delighted to see some of their favourites make a return, but be warned, not everybody is back for another adventure! We miss you, Bulbasaur...
There's also a host of Galarian regional variants of Pokémon we've met in the past. Yes, that scruffy little cat really is a Meowth! Playing on Shield? Make sure to pick up a Galarian Ponyta both for you, and any friends playing through Sword, as it's an exclusive to the Shield gamers!
Making a handful of monsters available only on Sword or Shield may seem like a cash grab by developers, but it's actually something that encourages players to get involved in the wider community. You'll be forced to trade with others if you want to complete your Pokédex and only want to play through the game once, and that's surely all part of the magic of a Pokémon game.
When it comes to exploration, Sword and Shield encourage you to visit every nook and cranny of routes and villages you come to. Towns feel expansive at times - perhaps more so than they should be given credit for - as the real focus for any of the major locations you visit is the Pokémon Gym Challenges and Battles. Each take place in a stadium, and offer a small twist on what we've been offered in the past. The Water Gym for example forces you to tackle a simple puzzle, before you're allowed to challenge the Gym Leader. It's a novel idea, but one that should have been pushed further if it was to really encourage players to put in some effort.
One of the most exciting new additions to the franchise comes in the form of the huge Wild Area. It's one large location that connects many of the routes and cities you'll be visiting, offering a wealth of Pokémon to battle and catch, in what is being hailed as the closest thing to an Open World experience Pokémon players have been given to-date. It feels like this sort of location is the future of the series, although at times it does feel a touch overwhelming, and perhaps a little empty.
Dynamax Battles and Raids are also new to the series, exclusive to the Galar region. They look impressive from the screens and videos that were shown up to launch, but they feel a touch underwhelming when you're actually taking part. After your first few Dynamax'd fights, you'll be willing any future battles to simply stick to the generic back-and-forth.
Then there's the huge additions that have been made to customising your character. The Pokémon Company are clearly trying to make this feel as unique of an experience for players as possible, and have given hair, makeup and clothing a complete overhaul. If you're somebody who loves the cosmetic offerings video games can offer, you'll find yourself sinking a huge amount of in-game cash to change-up your appearance at every given opportunity.
All of this combines to create one of the most aesthetically-pleasing and laidback, enjoyable Pokémon experiences gamers have ever been given the chance to get to grips with. Advancements have been made, but there is clear room for further improvement in the future. As far as laying the foundations for a whole-new generation of games goes however, Pokémon Sword and Shield are certainly a huge success.
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are both available now, exclusively on Nintendo Switch. A code for Pokémon Sword was provided to Female First in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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