Pokémon Sword (2019)

ATTENTION GAMERS

Yeah, I'm talking to you! I figured out a way to make the game more challenging without resorting to a nuzlocke. After every gym battle, I assemble and completely new team based on a theme. I've only tackled the first three gyms but my themes have been as follows:

first gym: farmer pokemon (pokemon I'd think a farmer would have)

second gym: bug fan pokemon (basically all bug type pokemon, no exceptions)

third gym: tea time pokemon (any pokemon that would be appropriate to invite to a tea party)

So far it has made the game way more challenging and fun. I recommend this approach. I also am open to any suggestions on what my next party theme should be.

I essentially wrote a really long ranty opinion piece on the stupidity that is this game, but in hindsight, I wouldn't want to read it and I doubt you would either.

The short of it is that the Wild Area is this game's saving grace and that the rest of the game should have been designed around it and/or be more like it. Other than that, this game has the worst overworld/level design in Pokemon history as well as an unmatched number of UI/UX oddities and oversights (relative to past titles, that is).

I wasn't one of the people on the fence or totally against this, so I guess keep that in mind when I say that I'm having a blast, just as I expected to.

The "lack of content" complaints are bullshit, in my opinion. I felt that way before even playing the game, because what exactly counts as content to people? We've got 8 badges, multiple rivals, a "team" to whup every so often, a League, multiple new gimmicks, new gym-related stuff, etc. Is "content" the Battle Tower? That might explain why I don't give a shit, because the post-game towers have never been something I cared about. I liked Pokemon contests in RSE/ORAS and I liked the Chateau thing in XY because it was early in the game, you got money and experience, and the trainers got harder each time you gained a new title. But post-game "EX Dungeon" type things will never be a draw for me.

I had 13 hours on the game before I got the first gym badge, and my team was only around level 20. Yes, EXP Share is always on, and a lot of things give your team experience, but it really isn't difficult to not be over-leveled. My group of friends always comes to my house on Saturdays for gaming/movies, and I honestly wasn't expecting to be playing Pokemon for most of the day because I wanted to experience all of the music and stuff and can't really do that when we're all there trying to play or watch something. But we ended up playing together for most of the afternoon and evening, joining each other's raids, hyping each other's catches and teams, and otherwise being a group of people in the age range of 28-33 enjoying some damn Pokemon. AND we watched some Star Wars. (Let it be known that I'm not much for multi-player unless it's like, Mario Kart, but this was hella enjoyable and the raids are pretty short and sweet.)

I got my third badge last night at around 22 hours. There's plenty to do and enjoy, guys, and it's beautiful. Also, I caught a shiny Corphish out of nowhere yesterday. So, that was cool.

Edit to add that some people might find the following to be cons:

-Move Tutor/Deleter is in every Pokemon Center, and it's free, which is admittedly pretty broken

-The level cap. This is for CATCHING Pokemon. Badges raise this in increments of 5, so far, and it starts at 20. But the level for Pokemon to listen to you is still series standard. I find this to be an understandable addition because there are SO MANY Pokemon in the wild area. Being able to catch everything from the beginning is exactly the kind of thing people would complain about. This MAKES SENSE.

I am curious, I saw reports prior to today that there were graphical issues with Pokemon Sword and Shield, things like pop-in and other issues. Was that based on a finished build of the game? I ask because the game looks quite pretty. So pretty that I am now reconsidering my decision to hold off buying until later. I like that it basically looks like Sun & Moon, except at a decent resolution. And I love the landscapes.