Nintendo finally revealed the next generation of Pokémon last night during the special Nintendo Direct. Named Pokémon Sword and Shield, these new mainline entries in the series take place in Galar which looks to be Pokémon’s version of the UK.
In addition to revealing the name’s of these new Pokémon games, Nintendo gave us a look at the three starters;
- Grookey (Grass)
- Scorbunny (Fire)
- Sobble (Water)
Grookey is a cute little monkey Pokémon, Scorbunny is obviously a bunny, but we’re having a bit more trouble working out what Sobble is. He seems to be some kind of lizard, though an amphibious one at that.
In any case, these three starters are adorable and are sure to start debates amongst Pokéfans the world over.
Pokémon Sword and Shield
Nintendo describes Pokémon Sword and Shield as;
Become a Pokémon Trainer and embark on a new journey in the new Galar region!
Choose from one of three new partner Pokémon: Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble. In this all new adventure, you’ll encounter new and familiar Pokémon as you catch, battle, and trade Pokémon while exploring new areas and uncovering an all-new story. Get ready for the next Pokémon adventure in the Pokémon Sword and Shield games.
There are many sights to see, from countryside villages to snow-covered peaks to contemporary cities. As you trek across this diverse region, you’ll encounter wild Pokémon to catch and rival Trainers eager to battle. So, choose one of three new partner Pokémon, strategically form a Pokémon team, bond with them throughout your journey, and face the odds together.
Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on an all new adventure in the Galar region
Choose from three new partner Pokémon and encounter never-before-seen Pokémon
These new games have a very similar art-style to Pokémon Let’s GO, however, it appears as though Pokémon Sword and Shield are fully 3D. Sure, Let’s GO was rendered in 3D, but the map was static and even though you could move in any direction, it was very much like the old grid-based system of the older titles.
In the trailer below for Sword and Shield, you can see that the camera moves into different angles, to create different viewpoints and to give the player a better experience of the world of Galar.
Speaking of Galar, here’s the map of the new region.
It’s described as;
an expansive region with many environments—idyllic countryside, contemporary cities, thick forests, and craggy, snow-covered mountains. The people and Pokémon live together in this region, and they’ve worked together to develop the industries here.
You’ll visit the various Gyms in the Galar region, aiming for the enviable and admirable title of Champion!
The footage shows plenty of Pokémon too, but the three starters are the only new ones we get a look at. We’ll have to wait and see just how many new Pokémon are coming to this new generation.
Pokémon Sword and Shield will be available for Switch in 2019.
