Much to the chagrin of many attendees at this year’s Gamescom, Pokémon Sword and Shield developer Game Freak has declined to make the trip. As Europe’s biggest games exhibition (and E3’s unofficial sister event), many Pokéfans will no doubt have expected the studio to make an appearance at the show in Cologne, Germany in order to provide more details for the Switch games. After all, with plenty of mysterious Galarian Pokémon and Dynamax details yet to be revealed, Game Freak certainly isn’t short on secrets to share.
Fortunately, the developer has managed to squeeze out a new video to account for its unexpected absence and this one has to do with Sword and Shield‘s new UK-inspired region, Galar.
Admittedly, it’s not exactly the most action-packed of content showcases, but the tour of what’s sure to be one of Galar’s many quaint little townships is one worth taking, nonetheless. As is standard for the series, every major settlement the player comes across will feature a Pokémon Center among its establishments and while the version in Sword and Shield takes on a markedly different outward appearance, they serve much the same purpose as before – to heal and rejuvenate your battle-weary Pokémon.
Following that, detours to the town’s Pokémon Research Lab and train station are shown. The first of these, says game director Shigeru Ohmori, is home to Professor Magnolia, who dedicates her time to researching the Dynamax phenomenon. In regards to the latter, Ohmori reveals that trains are a primary means of transport in the Galar region, with routes crisscrossing throughout the entire countryside. If ground transport isn’t your style, however, a Flying Taxi service provided by new Pokémon Corviknight can take you to any town or city that’s already been visited. Fancy.
That about wraps up the latest info drop for Pokémon Sword and Shield but expect a whole lot more to be revealed in the run-up to launch on November 15. Stay tuned.