Leon, the champion of the Galar region, stands before a cheering crowd and Charizard appears in all its Gen 1 glory before panning up to the title screen. Pokemon Sword and Shield have a grand opening with enough excitement and electricity to make me want to cheer too. After all, this is the first mainline Pokemon title to ever appear on a console. Expectations are high and its unique introduction sets the stage for what’s to come.
Of course, you’re no champion yet. Cut to the lavish garden outside your quaint house and it’s clear you have a long way to go before anyone’s cheering your name. I played the first 90 minutes of Pokemon Shield. Even though my adventure was barely beginning, I already felt like I had an interesting number of ways to spend my time and each option was as enticing as the last. From challenging and rewarding Max Raid Battles to new ways to train and bond with my Pokemon, Pokemon Sword and Shield are set up to be the most ambitious game in the series.
Source: IGN.com Pokemon Sword and Shield: The Final Preview of the Series’s Most Ambitious Game