Although thePokemonseries has seen a lot of ups and downs on the Nintendo Switch, it’s hard to deny the impact that Gen 8’sPokemon Sword and Shieldhad on the franchise. Gen 8 saw a controversial start with the infamous “Dexit” scandal skewing much of the discussion surroundingPokemon Sword and Shield’s launch back in 2019. However, five years later, the dust has settled around these titles, and with the series' current direction favoring an open-world experience, it’s clear to see that Gen 8 laid the groundwork for this formula’s success.
One of the most memorable aspects ofPokemon Sword and Shieldis the Wild Area, a concept new to the franchise at the time of release that allowed players to roam freely around a completely open section of the game’s world. WhileSword and Shieldwere still largely linear games at their core, the Wild Area gave players a taste of freedom and quickly became a standout part of the experience. Gimmicks likeDynamax and Gigantamaxdidn’t quite stick with players, nor did the games' by-the-numbers story, so the legacy ofPokemon Sword and Shieldremains in the franchise’s open-world ambitions introduced with the Wild Area.
Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Wild Area Gave Players a Taste of Open World Gameplay
Despite its Flaws, the Wild Area was a Breath of Fresh Air in Pokemon Sword and Shield
MainlinePokemongames up to Gen 8 had always followed a standard, linear design where players would travel from town to town along pre-defined routes with strategically placed trainers to encounter and battle.Pokemon Sword and Shieldstill features this same design but mixes things up by adding the Wild Area, which connects theGalar Regioncities of Motostoke and Hammerlocke. Rather than confining players to limited route traversal, the Wild Area creates a massive space for players to roam, explore different biomes, and find wild critters both in and out of tall grass.
The Wild Area served as the perfect distraction for players tired of following the game’s main story since it allowed them to create their own adventures, exploring every nook and cranny the zone had to offer. Becoming accessible as early as before the first gym, it was easy for players to get lost in the Wild Area and end up encountering a mon far above their current level. While this is a common way to steer players along a certain path in open-world RPGs,Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Wild Areaused high-level critters to entice players to revisit the location after leveling up their team.
Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Wild Area locations were expanded with the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs to include new DLC-specific zones where new creatures can be found.
Pokemon’s Current Open-World Format Can Trace its Roots Back to Sword and Shield
Following the Wild Area inSword and Shield, Game Freak built upon the series' version of an open-world map with the entries that followed. While still not a true open world,Pokemon Legends: Arceus' open-zone map design was a step up from the Wild Area since it featured multiple freely explorable areas with minimal linear direction. The game’s introduction ofAlpha Pokemonalso mirrors the high-level wild mons that would roam the Wild Areas and act as roadblocks for player progression.
It wasn’t until Gen 9’sPokemon Scarlet and Violetthat the series would see its first true open world, but the foundation laid by the Wild Area is still apparent in the design ofPaldea’s map. Despite allowing players the freedom to travel in any direction after the game’s prologue, there are still guide rails in the form of critter and trainer levels to keep players from diving into an area they’re not prepared for. The lack of level scaling inScarlet and Violet’s open world may be less than ideal, but it shows there is still room for thePokemonseries to grow and evolve its open-world formula first tested byPokemon Sword and Shield.
Pokemon Sword and Shield
WHERE TO PLAY
Begin your adventure as a Pokémon Trainer by choosing one of three new partner Pokémon: Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble. Then embark on a journey in the new Galar region, where you’ll challenge the troublemakers of Team Yell, while unraveling the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta! Explore the Wild Area, a vast expanse of land where the player can freely control the camera. Team up with three other players locally or online** in the new multiplayer co-op Max Raid Battles* in which players will face off against gigantic and super-strong Pokémon known as Dynamax Pokémon.Certain Pokémon can even Gigantamax to gain a new look and a powerful set of G-Max moves. But there’s more to being a champion than honing your battle skills: you may pick your own clothes and get a new hairdo while visiting the stores in town, so you can be the trainer you want to be. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter newly discovered Pokémon as well as familiar ones that will look a little different in their new Galarian forms! For another way to level up your Pokémon, assign them Poké Jobs to complete, and for fun, you can even play with your Pokémon in Pokémon Camp!
