Game Freak has abandoned the idea of third versions and direct sequels for the mainline Pokémon games. Instead, the future Pokémon games will receive DLC expansions that add new content to the base game. Pokémon Sword & Shield are the first games to receive this treatment, in the form of the Expansion Pass that adds the Isle of Armor and will add The Crown Tundra later this year.
It's no secret that fans have had issues with the Isle of Armor, with many people feeling that it's not worth the price of admission. The story campaign is extremely short and a lot of the new tasks that were added (the Diglett hunt, gathering Watts for the Dojo) feel as if they are there to pad the runtime. It remains to be seen whether The Crown Tundra will justify the price of the Expansion Pass.
Nintendo has embraced the concept of DLC passes during the Nintendo Switch era and it's possible that Game Freak could develop more Expansion Passes for Pokémon Sword & Shield. There are some fans who balk at the prospect of spending even more money on DLC content for Pokémon Sword & Shield, but a second Expansion Pass could do a lot of good anܫd help create the version of the Galar region that we deserve.
The Return Of The National Dex
Pokémon Sword & Shield has around four hundred Pokémon, the Isle of Armor expansion added over a hundred, and The Crown Tundra is expected to also add around a hundred. If you include the Pokémon that can be added to the game from Pokémon Home, the roster will sit at around 600-650 Pokémon that can be accessed in Pokémon Sword & Shield after The Crown Tundra is released.
There are almost nine hundred Pokémon in existence. If another Expansion Pass is released, then it could make up the difference and bring in the missing Pokémon. The people who aren't interested in paying more money for additions to the Galar region won't be left out, as it's possible to trade to the base game without needing to buy the Expansion Pass (or at least it is for the first one). It's possible that Game Freak might save some of the Sinnoh Pokémon to promote trade with any future remakes of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, but this w꧟ould still give access to aꦰlmost the entire roster of Pokémon.
Ireland Needs Representation In Pokémon
Pokémon Sword & Shield are set in the Galar region, which is based on the British Isles. The Galar region from Pokémon Sword & Shield includes versions of England and Wales, while the Isle of Armor is based on the Isle of Man and The Crown Tundra will be baseꩲd on Scotland.
If another Expansion Pass is developed, then it could complete the Pokémon version of the British Isles, as there is currently no equivalent to Ireland in Pokémon Sword & Shield. Ireland has its fair share of mythological figures that can be turned into Legendary/Mythical Pokémon, and places like the Giant's Causeway could make for awesome locations to appear in the Galar region. There are also plenty of islands that could be used for the second part of the Expansion Pass (assuming that the second one is also broken into two releases), with Jersey or the Hebr💮ides being prime candida♔tes.
The naming theme of the Galar region games is based around medieval elements, with Sword, Shield, Crown, and Armor all🌠 being used for names. The next two DLC packs could use royal implements for their names, such as Scepter & Orb.
The Isle of Armor expansion for Pokémon Sword & Shield had some interesting ideas, but its short length and lack of content left a lot of fans wanting more. If a second Expansion Pass enters development, then h𝔉opefully Game Freak will learn from its mistakes and produce something truly special that fans will love.
The Isle of Armor expansion is available now for Pokémon Sword & Shield.