Every generation of Pokémon is based on a region in the real-life world. Kanto was based on part of Japan, Unova was based on New York City, and so on. Nintendo announced as part of its reveal of Sword & Shield that the United Ki🐬ngdom would be the inspiration for Generation VIII's Gal🍬ar, with a seeming focus on England.
As witꦑh any regional inspiration, The Pokémon Company got a few things right, but also a few things wrong. Galar can make some Brits feel right at home, but also has some head-scratching decisions that don't seem to fit. Here are some of the things Galar gets right about the U.K., and some it gets wrong.
10 Right - The train running late 🐓
Anyone who has spent significant time na🌠vigating the train system in the U.K. (regardless of which transit authority) knows that they seem to be late more than they are on time. Waiting for your train to go to work, a friend's place, or really anywhere is often fraught with delays, cancellations, and no-shows.
Gala𝓀r captures thiꦿs perfectly with a classic Pokémon route-block. Every generation has strange things that block off access to certain areas until you get a set amount of progression in the game (remember the Psyducks in Sinnoh?). Galar decided to use some Wooloo blocking the train tracks as one of these blockers. How fitting.
9 ♔ Wrong - Where's the coast?
If there's one thing British geography is known for, it's coastline. Northern Ireland has its emerald hills, Wales has its breathtaking cliffs. B♒ut there's something special about the countless coastal communities and scenic spots around the islands' edges.
The almost-8,000-mile coastline of the U.K. has a diverse array of famous spots and picturesque islands. But, none of th💎is seems to be represented in Galar. Sure, Hulbury is a port town near some water, and Circhester Bay gives some bike-surfing fun. But, there isn't much of a typical coastline to speak of.
8 🃏 Right - Curry-mania
☂Despite originating in India, curry has taken Britain by storm fꦑor a long, long time. Theoretically taught to the British during their colonization of India, it has become a staple dish in the British Isles.
This translated perfectly into 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Sword and Shield's camping system. Players can use berries and other ingredients found in their travels to make a series of curry dishes. There are more than 150 combinations of ingredients in var🌠ious qualities, and Pokémon seem to love it. Everyone in Galar seems to be obsessed with the Indian dish, too.
7 Wrong - Royal obsession 🏅 💜
If there's one thing people outside of the U.K. know about the British, it's that they have a famous royal family. Along with this royal reality comes a royal obsession. Th🐎e Brits, especially the English, are crazed about the royal family and its comings an♈d goings.
This doesn't seem to play a role in Galar. Sure, the historic sword-bearer and shield-bear🅺er seem to be king-like, but their role is shrouded in mystery and legend. The closest anyone in Galar seems 𝕴to come to mentioning a royal obsession is the strange Sordward and Shielbert, who are apparently celebrities with a loyal following (or so they say).
6 🐎 Right - Sports 🍒
While the people of the U.K. can be obsessive with the royal family, it doesn't come close to their love of football (soccer for the Westerners). The sport is so important to British culture that it would seem to an outsider like their lives depend on it. En🐈gland actually has more registered clubs than Brazil, according to some numbers.
Sword and Shield captured this with its gym challenge. The allusions and references to football love are not subtle — from the cheering fan🦹s in stadiums to the green grass pitches, the uniforms and the adoring fans. The gym challenge is a clear translation of football.
5 ꦡ Wrong - English focus
While Galar is said to be based on the U.K., it could be argued that it'🅰s actually only based on England specifically. Landmarks, terrain, routes, slang, fashion, and more all seem to reference more of English culture than that of Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
One could point to places like Postwick or Route 14 as Scottish or Welsh, respectively, but they could resemble parts of England too. For the non-English countries of the U.K., this could be seen ♕as just another slight in a centuries-l🌜ong line of English cultural dominance.
4 🎀 Right - Landmarꦅks
Despite the absence of a strong influence from the countries other than England, the game does get landmarks right. The U.K. is home to several iconic landmarksဣ that can be recognized worldwi🐟de by almost anyone. Some examples include red telephone booths, Big Ben, and the London Eye.
Sword and Shield pay obvious homage to several of these typically-British symbols. Motostoke has a large clo𓆉ck tower, red telephone booths are spotted around various cities, and Wyndon is a straight copy and paste of London, even down to the large Ferris wheel.
3 Wrong - Pokémon MIA ജ
Every generation of Pokémonꦍ is based on a certain region of the real world, and will often include new designs inspired by the culture or geography of that region. In Sword and Shield, players expected to see some of these in Galar. However, many also expected that returning Pokémon (albeit only a few, thanks to Dexit) that seemed "British" would make it into the games.
However, several obvious choices 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:were missed in the Dexit cuts. Snubbull and Granbull are based on English bulldogs, the Lillipup line is based on Yorkshire or Scottish terriers, and Swanna could represent England's famoꦫus royally-owned swans. Somehow, none of these species (and some other obvious ones) were excluded. However, seemingly unrelated Pokémon were brought in, like Mantine and Delibird.
2 𝓡 Right - New designs
Despite the exclusion of fitting Pokémon (and inclusion of 🅠non-fitting ones), hit the nail right on the head in terms of capturing British culture. The U.K. is the bearer of many stereotypes, some true, some false. But, Sword and Shield are filled with prime examples of inspired design.
Some examples include Polteageist, a little ghosty friend that lives in a teapot; Toxtricity, a punk-rock lizard with an organ that plays🐼 like an electric guitar; Cinderace, a football player; Yamper, which looks like the Queen's famous corgis; and the list goes on.
1 🐷 Wrong - Dry season ꦜ
Speaking of British stereotypes — where's the rain? The U.K. (and especially England) is known for its dreary grey skies and consta🅠nt rain. In London alone, .
So, while there is rain in the Wild Area and on some routesꦫ, most of Galar seems sunny and bright. Wyndon especially, which is based on London, should at least see some grey skies here and there. But at any time, the skies are clear and sunny. Of course, sun is nice in a game, but if Game Freak really wanted to capture the mood in the U.K., a little rain could help.