When Pokémon Sword and Shield launched in November 2019, players overall felt disappointed with the finished product. It felt like the core ideas were fantastic, but were very flawed in their actual execution - for example, players liked the ideas of raids, but the higher-level ones are almost impossible to do without a team of actual other players, which you can’t do without a Switch Online membership. Many people can’t justify an Online subscription as it is, and I think it’s these kinds of connecting factors that Game Freak needs to think about during development.
Overall, it was clear the game was rushed. Fortunately, people became excited when it was announced that the series would be getting a DLC expansion pass, with one part (Isle of Armor) released in June and the other (Crown Tundra) to launch sometime this fall. While not perfect, Isle of Armor did feel like an answer to the spark of hope left in many of us.
We Need More Story Content
The content in Isle of Armor was a great start to what could possibly be more enjoyable content seen in future titles, as the story and quest could have easily been a part of the regular Sword and Shield journey. I’m gonna sound like a Genwunner here for a second, but one of the things I always liked about the older games was the little stories that happened along the way, like taking down Team Rocket multiple times in the Gold and Silver series.
This is very minor, but even being detained from the Olivine City match with Jasmine to get medicine for the sick Ampharos was a memorable detail and gave characterization to who she was. These little stories make the journey itself feel three dimensional and not just facing eight gyms and calling it a day. You feel like you’re mostly left out of the actual plot in Sword and Shield; there’s this big energy crisis teased, but in the end, we learn so little about it. In fact, you’re left to mostly just clean up the aftermath.
Developers Are Dipping Their Toes
Likewise, Isle of Armor felt like it ended just when its potential started to shine through. When wondering why Isle of Armor was so short, I think it’s important to remember that this is essentially a test for the company; remember that this is the first time in history that it is doing DLC content with mainline Pokémon, and that whenever a company tries anything new, there’s always that risk factor. Nobody knew if players were going to want to purchase it after a lot of the backlash that Sword and Shield itself received, the controversy around the National Dex removal, etc. Pokémon fans can be pretty tough critics and more often than not, wishy-washy about what they actually want as far as content goes.
I think by making it short, this is a good way to gauge what kind of mechanics generally satisfy all players. For example, players have been vocal about wanting more challenges, and the towers in Isle of Armor had some formidable opponents, on top of only being able to use your Kubfu in battle. The quest was doable, but it wasn’t hair pulling, and I think that’s what people asking for challenges have to remember, that developers have to find a way to make it fair for everyone.
Now Comes Your Turn
However, Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra are both the chance for you to experience your own story as a trainer. There are no more adults here forcing you to stay out of grown-ups business, no more same old required gym challenges, and while maybe you were the Champion back on the mainland, it’s a whole different ballgame now. There’s new land out there for you to discover and who knows what your experience might be like. Personally, I would like to see maybe an environmental theme happen since it has been touched upon a few times in the main game. This could definitely happen because the new Legendary teased resembles a deer with a plant on its head, a being often portrayed as a forest spirit.
Overall, let’s hope that Game Freak pulls away from the shallow end of the pool in the development of Crown Tundra. In the meantime, you can enjoy the first installment, Isle of Armor, available on the expansion pass that retails for $29.99.
