Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield have to be one of the most anticipated Nintendo Switch games of this year. During the post-E3 Nintendo event, I was able to finally try out the games to see if all the hype was justified. I didn’t play a lot of what’s to come but judging on the demo, this is a huge leap forward for the franchise.
Battle the Gym
If you followed the news on Pokémon Sword and Shield a bit, you know the games will feature some huge innovations. First things first, this is the first completely 3D main Pokémon entry, something fans have been asking for since the release of the very first Pokémon game. The expectations were high but after the last Pokémon Direct, it really seems like these games are on track to deliver the 3D dream. Semi-open worlds to catch Pokémon, tons of crowded villages and numbers of new Pokémon to catch. In our demo, we saw none of these. Instead, we were battling in the Water Gym where we could solve some puzzles and face off with Nessa, the Gym Leader. Before I started, the Nintendo Staff warned me that all Pokémon were stuck on level 50 and I would see some different types along the way too. It wasn’t limited on water types only simply to hold the actual Gym Pokémon as a surprise why the level 50 gap was there to make it unclear where you’ll find the water gym during your adventure. A smart move, all in favor of the demo.
We got some puzzles to solve
For those who are familiar with the main Pokémon games know it’s more than just catching and battling. Just like the other games in the franchise, Sword and Shield will feature puzzles, a thing this demo clearly demonstrated. Before I reached Nessa, I had to toy with some colored switches which activated waterfalls. If I turned the yellow switch, the water won’t fall on the yellow blocks but will move to another color instead. It’s not a hard puzzle to solve it in no time, you’ll find the right path to Nessa but before you reach her, you’ll have to battle to other challengers.
These trainers are positioned on strategic locations and once they see you, the battle starts. Just like in the other main games, battles are turn-based, meaning you and your opponent attack in turns. This is the classic Pokémon formula where the type of your Pokémon and its attack plays a crucial role in defeating the opponent. With a push on the button, you’ll see the type information of the Pokémon you need to know but you’re never forced to use this. If you want to test your true skills, you can learn the types by heart and attack opponents on their weaknesses. Although this is nothing new, it’s great to see it in action on Nintendo Switch. Battling in these gorgeous 3D graphics certainly is a big leap forward.
Defeat Nessa
Once I was able to defeat all trainers and solve the puzzle, it was time to face off with Nessa. Before I did that, I returned to the entrance of the Gym where another person was kind enough to heal my Pokémon. I’m not sure if this mechanic will remain in the retail game but once again, it’s completely optional. If you don’t want your Pokémon healed, you could face off directly with Nessa. The battle itself wasn’t hard to complete but focused on the new mechanic called Dynamax.
If you Dynamax a Pokémon, this creature will become huge, resulting in more powerful attacks during two turns. It’s a temporary boost that can really turn the tide of a battle. If you use it wisely, you can easily take care of your opponent’s strongest Pokémon without breaking a sweat. Of course, this goes both ways as Ness gladly demonstrated. If your opponent uses a Dynamax Pokémon, you’re in for a challenge! I really like this new mechanic as it certainly adds an element of surprise to the battles. I’m not entirely sure if it will remain fun the entire time but for now, I’m really liking it. I can’t wait to see which Pokémon I’ll be able to Dynamax later this year.
Early Conclusion:
After spending some time with Pokémon Sword and Shield, it looks like the team found the right balance in the level of difficulty. The helping features are still there but they seem to be optional, as they should be in a main entry. That being said, it follows the same classic Pokémon formula with a unique Dynamax twist and gorgeous 3D graphics. We’ve only seen a glimpse of what the games will offer but my expectations are extremely high after the demo, can’t wait for more!
