Almost five months ago The Pokémon Company announced DLC expansion passes for its latest games, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. The wait is nearly over, trainers! The first content drop, called The Isle of Armor, will be available in exactly one month on June 30.
What’s New in The Isle of Armor?
As the name The Isle of Armor suggests, the biggest addition to the games will be a new area to explore. Appropriately called The Island of Armor. On paper, the newest location in the Galar region appears enticing. The island itself is expected to have diverse environments. Beaches, bogs, and forests, among other ecosystems, have been announced. New Pokémon are likely to join the party as well and there is a particularly unique dojo located somewhere on the island.
Apart from locations, The Isle of Armor has promised new customization options for players. There will be a special training uniform available for trainers who travel to the island. Also, players who buy the pass will receive codes for exclusive Pikachu and Eevee uniforms. Though not detailed in full, the DLC’s trailer highlights new hairstyles and accessories.
For story loyalists, there will be two new rivals, Klara and Avery. And Champion Leon’s former master, a man named Mustard, will share in the adventures. Likewise, new legendary Pokémon will appear as well. All the above and more can be seen in the Expansion Pass trailer video below.
Worth Coming Back?
Pokémon did a lot of things right with its first crack at a new generation on Switch. Character customization took massive strides. Many of the new Pokémon were welcome additions to the family and the game was mechanically sound. The biggest pleasantry of Pokémon Sword and Shield was the addition of the Wild Area. The self-contained location provided trainers high-quality wild Pokémon and utilized an impressive weather system.
Nevertheless, the games fell short in some areas. The plot wasn’t one of the series’ strongest. Team Yell was a cool idea, but the lack of an antagonistic group was a bit odd considering the series’ lineage.
Despite these gripes, the games were well received and have unlimited potential going forward. The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, and Game Freak can make something special if they nail the Expansion Pass. No game in the history of the Pokémon franchise has been in this position, and successful DLC content could change the game forever.
Pokémon Sword and Shield’s Expansion Pass is available for purchase on the Nintendo eShop for pre-order. Listed at $30, the pass arrives June 30.
