Pokemon Sword and Shield is a sequel of a sequel of a sequel of a sequel to the original Pokémon games taking place in a new region.

The three starters, Raboot, Grookey, and Sobble are fire, grass and water type as listed, having 2 more evolutions to follow. You travel with your best friend turned opponent (because when hasn’t that happened?) and compete through a series of gym challenges, side quests and Pokémon hunting to complete your pokedex.

Two legendary Pokémon, the whole basis of the game, are slumbering, and you go through the region with a professor who is researching the Darkest Day. The difference between the Sword and Shield games is a few of the Pokémon trainers are swapped, and your map will change, including which Pokémon you can find in the game. The legendary Pokémon are also a sort of final quest you can capture, after you beat the champion, Leon, you can explore the land, and if you speak to the right person, you can begin to search for the legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta.

The game is long, and stressful too because you are severely underleveled and everything is always stronger than you. But I as of my last two runs of the game, my team has consisted of Cinderace (Bonnie), Tsareena (Sweetie), Golisopod (Mr.Wimp), Haxorus (PintoBean), Arctozolt (Sneezles) who I sometimes swap with Ditto, and my favorite companion, Mudsdale (Buck).

You are always given the option to name your Pokémon, a sort of way to bond better with them and make better decisions because you’ll be sad when they faint or take damage. The more friendship you have with your Pokémon, the more often they’ll tough out attacks on one health point, or ‘avoid an attack’ because you ‘warned them,’ making a heart appear above their head as they hop, look towards you, and continue the battle.

Pokémon Sword is the version I have, and I enjoy my team. I have once again beat the champion (because I overleveled this time around) and am on my way to find Zacian!

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