Pokemon Sword- Isle of Armor expansion

8/10

NOTE: I have only played this expansion using Pokemon Sword version. From what I understand,the major difference between playing this on Sword or Shield is the rival you fight and probably some differing Pokemon available as is usually the case with these games.

This new expansion, part of Pokemon Sword/Shield's season pass, gives you a new area to explore. I'm pleased to say this is one of the better DLCs I've played. (Admittedly, I don't purchase DLC that often.) 

I'm pleased to say that the Isle of Armor offers a lot to do. It is a pretty wide area, larger than any other in the main game. It takes the concept of the wild open area to a much grander scale. It is smack dab full of Dynamax battle points and Pokemon to fight and capture. This includes a buttload of Pokemon that weren't available in the main game. 

The Isle has a lot of room for exploring. There are plenty of nooks and crannies you can check, including several tiny islands located to the side of it. Once your bike can travel on water, you can actually travel into the ocean, which adds a little sense of epicness to the whole thing. 

Visually this is the best looking of Sword/Shield. Though the main game looks nice, I've always thought it wasn't as visually arresting as Sun/Moon. The designers and concept artists really kicked things up a notch. (Might be my imagination, but the sky is prettier here.) Feels like there is a lot more visual detail, especially due to the how the island merges from one area to the next.

As for the story and missions, it is basic side story fare. You join a Pokemon dojo and participate in it's various trials and fights. This may not sound the most ambitious, but you do get some pretty varied things to do. The most unique thing you get to do here is that there is emphasis on training one specific Pokemon, Kubfu, as part of the story. You do kind of develop an attachment to the guy as you go through a journey and several steps to power up and evolve him. However, this element does feel too stretched out. In order to reach Kubfu's main challenge, the game recommends you to raise his experience to a pretty high number. (At least, at the end of the game (level 70),. The level of the Pokemon you face depends on what level yours are on.) Though the Dynamax fights are quick sources of EXP items and you are given places to visit, so as to not make it you just walking around randomly looking to level up, this can feel a little tedious.

The game also has some sidequests you can handle. There are some fun ideas here. However, completing a couple of them will take some time and not everyone will have the patience for them.  

Besides offering more Pokemon and the brand new Kubfu, the game also makes it easier for you to access Gigantamax Pokemon.

Overall, I had a good time. The Isle alone felt substantive (unlike some DLC that are way too short and insubstantive; looking at you Kingdom Hearts III: ReMind.) and considering that this is only the first half of the season pass (the second area is coming in November) I think you are getting your thirty bucks worth.