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Pokemon Sword And Shield Announces Expansion Pass

by Donald Theriault - January 9, 2020, 7:13 am EST
Total comments: 12 Source: Nintendo

Each update will increase the potential immigrant count to Galar.

Rather than third or fourth versions, Pokémon Sword and Shield will be receiving an expansion pass.

The pass will be available for purchase today for US$29.99 or equivalent, and will include special ingame outfits themed around Pikachu and Eevee when bought. The pass will release in two parts, one in June and the other in "Fall". The pass will need to be bought separately for owners of two games.

June will see the release of The Isle of Armor, an island focused on the growth of Pokémon. A new version exclusive rival will train at a dojo, and a new two-stage Fighting type will evolve differently depending on which version is played. Because of the focus on growth, the Isle will contain Move Tutors, including never-before seen moves, and an "Experience Charm" that speeds up leveling.

The Crown Tundra is slated for release in the fall, and focuses on exploration. New areas will feature raids against Legendary Pokémon from old games, and the dungeons leading to them can be explored in co-op. Several new legendary Pokémon will be available in the area.

The updates that unlock the DLC will also unlock new Pokémon for the Sword and Shield games even if they don't have the pass, which can be received by trading or importing from Pokémon Home. "200+" additional Pokémon will be available in Sword and Shield following the release of The Crown Tundra.

Talkback

TOPHATANT123January 09, 2020

It looks substantial enough

StratosJanuary 09, 2020

I don't think this rules out additional versions. They could always make a "Gold Edition" in 2021 that includes the DLC and throws in some extras to get even more sales out of the game. Or they just continue with a second season of DLC.

Glad to see more pokemon coming.

nickmitchJanuary 09, 2020

One thing about the third versions is that some people, myself included, might have been expecting them. I was actually planning out a team for a second playthrough. I could still do that with another account I have on my Switch though.

I think I might prefer the dlc path, however, since it is a lot cheaper. Although my team is gonna be pretty over leveled for the new areas. I do wonder if there will be some designs around that or if I'll just have to make a new, lower leveled team.

One thing I am hoping for next year would be a mainline remake, which I think is more probable now.

Mop it upJanuary 09, 2020

Releasing an unfinished game and finishing it later with DLC? Pokémon truly has become a modern game!

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterJanuary 09, 2020

This seems like Game Freak trying to avoid doing a Pokemon game this year by throwing resources at this instead so whatever comes in 2020 will have more polish.

broodwarsJanuary 10, 2020

I see that Game Freak cut out half the Pokedex so they could sell players the solution a year later. It's almost like this game probably should have spent another year in development.

EnnerJanuary 10, 2020

Quote from: broodwars

I see that Game Freak cut out half the Pokedex so they could sell players the solution a year later. It's almost like this game probably should have spent another year in development.

Gotta have an annual product. Capitalism, ho!

As some one who is not deep in to Pokemon in a way to be upset about much of it, this expansion stuff looks pretty cool.

I guess it is irksome that the definitive version of the game is (at the moment) a $90 asking price rather than $40/$60 and a year wait.

OedoJanuary 11, 2020

Quote from: Mop

Holding back content to release as DLC? Pokémon truly has become a modern game!

Quote from: broodwars

I see that Game Freak cut out half the Pokedex so they could sell players the solution a year later. It's almost like this game probably should have spent another year in development.

I mean, it's right there in the first post. You don't need to pay a single cent to have access to the 200+ Pokémon being added. Game Freak has made quite a few blunders over the past year, and I've been kinda disappointed with what I've played of Sword & Shield so far, but it's seems like a reach to try to dunk on them for what was announced here.

Mop it upJanuary 11, 2020

Aside from taking my comment too seriously, notice how I didn't mention the PokéDex. ;)

OedoJanuary 11, 2020

Quote from: Mop

Aside from taking my comment too seriously, notice how I didn't mention the PokéDex. ;)

Fair enough about not mentioning the 'dex, but then I'm not sure what they would have been holding back. Nothing really indicates that any of this content is already finished.

I guess it really was as simple as me not realizing people still made "DLC is just content they cut from the games" jokes in 2020. My bad.

Mop it upJanuary 11, 2020

You're right, I didn't phrase it properly. Post amended!

nickmitchJanuary 11, 2020

Quote from: Oedo

Quote from: Mop

Aside from taking my comment too seriously, notice how I didn't mention the PokéDex. ;)

Fair enough about not mentioning the 'dex, but then I'm not sure what they would have been holding back. Nothing really indicates that any of this content is already finished.

I guess it really was as simple as me not realizing people still made "DLC is just content they cut from the games" jokes in 2020. My bad.

The issue is that people saying that in other places aren't joking, lol.

There's so much "This should've been in the base game!" nonsense on Twitter, it's actually kinda funny.  They compare the two $40 games (SM, USUM) to the $60 base and $30 DLC saying Gamefreak is jacking up the price.  When confronted with the reality is the 3rd/Ultra version would've been $60, they just say that $60 is too high when you could've waited for the price to come down before, as if Nintendo isn't still asking for $40 for Pokemon X and Y.

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