Pokémon Sword and Shield are primed to deliver the biggest formula change since the series’ inception later this year. From ditching its handheld roots to delivering a raft of brand new features (you can finally put those freeloading Pokémon to work), never before, has developer Game Freak come this close to reinventing the wheel. Combined, these additions are the much-needed breath of fresh air that the franchise – which has often been criticized for a lack of innovation – needs.
With that said, however, some traditions are here to stay. As sure as you can be that each new Generation will introduce a menagerie of new Pokémon to catch, so too, will there always be a new villainous team doing its best to ruin your dream of becoming a Pokémon master. And so, as if there was any doubt, Sword and Shield‘s own antagonistic posse has recently been revealed and they’re a strange bunch.
Unlike the infamous Team Rocket, Magma, Aqua or Galactic (the list goes on), Team Yell, on the surface, at least, appear to be little more than a bunch of hooligans intent on causing public disorder. Sporting a humorous punk aesthetic, the group is said to have the sole aim of seeing their idol, Marnie, become the Galar region champion.
Who’s Marnie? Along with new character Bede, she’s one of two rivals you’ll no doubt be facing off against during the story. What, if any, affiliation the innocent-looking Trainer has with her nuisance adorers remains to be seen, though this wouldn’t be a Pokémon game without the presence of a thinly-veiled plot twist now, would it?
Either way, we’re but a few short months away from learning the truth, as Pokémon Sword and Shield launch worldwide on November 15th.
