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It has been a little while, but there was a Pokemon Direct on 1/9/2020. I will go over the major talking points, and give a brief opinion on all that was revealed. This direct has some interesting info to go over, so let’s take a look.
- Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX was announced.
- This is a remake of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team.
- Release date is March 6, 2020.
- Demo available the day of the direct, with transferable save data to the full game.
- Mega evolution is added to this edition of the game.
- The Pokemon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokemon Shield Expansion Pass was announced.
- This is DLC for the current games.
- Part 1 of the expansion pass is called the Isle of Armor. Releases June 2020.
- Part 2 of the expansion pass is called The Crown Tundra. Releases Fall 2020.
- There is a version of the Expansion Pass for both Sword version and Shield version, each with a different combination of available Pokemon.
- The Expansion Pass features new locations in the game.
- The Isle of Armor features a dojo for battles.
- There are some version exclusive trainers to encounter here too.
- A new legendary Pokemon Kubfu is central to this story.
- Kubfu is a fighting type Pokemon
- Kubfu evolves into Urshifu
- Urshifu has two fighting styles:
- Single strike style has the Pokemon as a fighting and dark type.
- Rapid strike style has the Pokemon as a fighting and water type.
- Urshifu also has Gigantamax form, complete with unique appearance and unique G-max moves based on the style.
- Both styles have a unique ability and move per style. (details not mentioned yet).
- Urshifu may be used in future online battles and competitions.
- The Pokemon Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon will have new gigantamax forms thanks to the expansion pass.
- Tutor moves, apricons, and a new item called the experience charm will be added as well.
- New fashion items, and new hairstyles to customize your player character have been announced.
- The bike can have some new looks too.
- The Crown Tundra is focused on exploration.
- The new legendary Pokemon Calyrex is a grass and psychic type.
- A new co-op mode will allow players to explore an underground area inside dens.
- You may face legendary Pokemon from past games that dynamax in battle. You can catch them as well
- There are some new legendary Pokemon to catch as well.
- There will be new battle challenges to face after completing the expansion pass as well.
- Both locations in the expansion pass are about as big as the wild area.
- There are max raid battles with old Pokemon not originally in Sword and Shield.
- There are 200+ returning Pokemon in the expansion pass that didn’t initially make the cut in Sword and Shield.
- There will be free updates that coincide with the Expansion Pass.
- This update will allow those without the pass to trade with those who do to get content from the pass.
- Pokemon Home can be used to transfer Pokemon from other games as long as they appear in Sword, Shield, and the Expansion Pass.
- Pokemon Home launches in February 2020.
- In Pokemon Sword and Shield, the following Gigantamx Pokemon are now more common, starting the day of the direct:
- Coalossal (Sword)
- Lapras (Shield)
- Flapple (Sword)
- Appletun (Shield)
- A software update will go live the day of the direct.
- At Wedgehurst station you can encounter Clara in Sword and Avery in Shield.
- And a catchable Galarian Slowpoke will appear as well.
- It evolves into Galarian Slowbro using an item from the isle of armor, or Galarian Slowking using an item from the crowned tundra.
- The Expansion Pass can be pre-purchased the day of the direct at $29.99
- The eshop can be access via the in game menu after the update.
- Pre-purchasing the pass gives in game clothing options immediately.
And that sums up what will be coming in the new year for Pokemon. Now time to give my own impressions.
First, I would rather have an expansion over having to pay full price for a new but mostly identical game like they made in the past. The price is a little more than I would like to pay, but it may still be worth it. It is good to see that some old favorites are returning, considering how a portion of the internet reacted to some Pokemon being cut from Sword and Shield. It looks like there are options for getting more Pokemon back from old games, both with and without the Expansion Pass.
Pokemon Home appears to be more useful than originally thought, a good sign. What is unclear is how soon these Pokemon will be allowed in online battles and for tournament play, something I personally am invested in. I am also concerned that some legendary Pokemon are returning, including some I didn’t want to battle anytime soon, though they won’t be returning to tournament play immediately, if I had to make an assumption.
Sword and Shield was lacking in some post-game content, so I am glad I’ll have more to do in this game in the future. The Expansion Pass may hurt my wallet a little, but seems like a smart move, at least until I see what it offers. I also noticed that there appeared to be Galarian Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, as well as Gigantamax Venusaur, and Blastoise, plus two new Pokemon that resemble Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. Images were shown of these Pokemon, but were merely teased at in the direct.
I am not particularly looking forward to the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game, though I can see that some fans might be. It looks like Game Freak is experimenting with new content, and new ways to deliver it, so I hope this is a sign they are learning how to move forward and modernize their approach to these games. As such, I am optimistic about these updates.
That covers it for the Pokemon Direct. What do you make of the Expansion Pass? What returning Pokemon do you look forward to catching? How do you think the expansion pass will impact competitive battling? Let me know in the comments below! If you like this news article, be sure to click the like button! To keep up with That’s All Games, you can subscribe via email or WordPress. Until next time, have fun gaming!
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