Initially announced in last January, first DLC included in Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass is finally available for purchase on Nintendo eShop. This is theLonely Armor Island, available in two separate versions depending on the game you own. In this new campaign, aimed at enriching the contents already offered by the main title, we will visit an exotic atoll that refers to theIsle of Man, a small portion of land that is teeming with exclusive Pokémon and which will be the backdrop for three new adventures. Or rather, three new tests.
In fact, once we arrive on the island (to do so we will have to go to the Brassbury station and present the Expansion Pass in our possession) we will have the opportunity to become students of Master of the Mustard dojo, or the husband of Tania, Hyde's father and ex-Champion of the Galar region. Owner of the island and the Dojo Master, the irreproachable Mustard will welcome us by proposing, as a "form of welcome", a simple fight. A first step, this, which anticipates what will be instead three tests that we will have to face together with the other students and that, once overcome, will reward us for the legendary Pokémon of the fighting type Kubfu.
But what exactly awaits us in the Dojo Master? And what can we really explore on the new and exotic Isle of Armor?
New characters and the Dojo Master
As even the most aficionados will know, Pokémon games have never been very knowledgeable about narration - and this is especially true for the latest titles, including Sword and Shield. Now, beyond that the player can approach the DLC despite not having 100% completed the main chapters, even the Lonely Island of Armor does not offer particular narrative lines to those who are preparing to face its adventures. Although the story behind Kubfu can perhaps be considered a small exception, the world that opens up to us is essentially based on our arrival at the Dojo Master and on all that will be ours. training phase.
From the very first minutes, therefore, we will have the opportunity to get to know the new characters who populate the island, and who will keep us company in the countryside (forgive the pun, ed). Among these, of course, there is no shortage of graceful Sophora (featured in Pokémon Sword), Trainer expert of the poison type, and the enigmatic Savory (present instead in Scudo) specialized in psycho-type monsters. They will, in fact, take on the role of the rival in this exotic atoll.
But unfortunately, the sore point starts immediately. Both challenging rivals, and passing the tests we will be required to face, are all tasks that can be accomplished with extreme simplicity, especially if you've already completed the main titles and your Pokémon are level 75 and up. In particular, the tests are guided and do not seem to have been designed to really put the player in difficulty, but rather to lead him to theexploration of the Island. So much so that in addition to the main challenges, we can dedicate ourselves to completing the secondary missions, such as the search for the 150 Diglett of Alola, or the collection of Funghimax to cook the Zuppamax (dish that allows you to unlock the Gigamax form of Pokémon).
A new island to explore in Pokémon Sword and Shield
Lonely Isle of Armor, a lush landmass bought by Mustard himself, offers players the chance to explore a new area, characterized by woods, caves, desert moors and even islets. Overall it is not a particularly large game map, but unfortunately the sore point remains the graphic sector. Aesthetically not very exciting (and still not very pleasant the textures), the scenarios that unfold before our eyes and that we will ride on our bicycle will always be "Empty" and "desolate", especially when battling the wider lands. The annoying is still noticeable pop-up effect of the little creatures, as well as a certain repetitiveness (already seen in the main Spada and Scudo) of the environments. The return of the Partner Pokémon, which will follow us far and wide if positioned as first of the team.
But the island is also the home of the old glories: in fact, a hundred monsters from the old generations return with this DLC but were absent from the Galar Pokédex (fact that had unleashed the fatal wrath of the players). To obtain the "New" Pokémon, however, it will not be necessary to own the expansion, since it will still be possible to exchange them with other players or transfer them through the service of Pokémon Home.
Still speaking of Pokémon, however, it should be emphasized that with this DLC Game Freak has thought to wink more at the lovers of the competitive and the fights. In fact, in addition to the possibility of being able to participate in new ones Dynamax raid and Limited trial, especially interesting is the addition of the CramoBot (which allows you to recycle unused objects to create more useful ones for the occasion), ofExperience amulet (useful for increasing the Experience Points earned through battles) and Roccearmatura, minerals that can be found on the Lonely Isle of Armor and that can be harnessed to learn new moves for our loyal comrades. But also the presence of the sympathetic Miss Restore it can be very convenient for budding Trainers: in fact, it will be you who will reset the EVs of our pocket monsters, in exchange for 10 Armature Rock.
In any case, the contents offered by the DLC certainly do not end here: great space has also been given to Customization, with a rich selection of clothing, the possibility of enriching your bicycle, some new accessories and many new elements to decorate the Pokémon League Card.
Summing up, it seems clear that Game Freak still has a long way to go, if it really intends to modernize the main chapters and complete the evolution of the same from a portable gaming experience to that of home console titles. Undoubtedly, progress has been made with Pokémon Sword and Shield as a whole, and we are confident that with the path of DLC the company can continue to work on the brand, enriching and improving it too. in a more ambitious way.
Want to know more about Sword and Shield Pokémon? Take a look at the our review.
