Pokemon Sword and Shield: The Isle of Armor Reviews
The Isle of Armor pales in comparison to previous post-game campaigns included in older Pokémon titles released throughout the years, and you didn’t have to pay extra in order to access them.
In the end, Isle of Armor builds on the foundation of Pokemon Shield’s Wild Area, but there simply isn’t enough to it.
While the story is leagues over the original, its short length and lack of content feels sparse. I think the value of the DLC lies with having both expansion packs together, since Crown Tundra will feature the long awaited Legendary Raids. Isle of Armor is a nice addition for Pokémon Sword and Shield, but only the biggest Pokémaniacs will get the most out of the experience.
I would have enjoyed this DLC much more if it was longer than it was.
Every time I enter my profile on my Nintendo Switch, I get greeted by that message when my Pokémon Sword cartridge is inside. With that amount, Pokémon Sword is the third most played title in my library after Animal Crossing and Octopath Traveler.
It’s streets ahead of the existing post-game, and thanks to the better realization of the Wild Area concept, I feel comfortable calling it an improvement on Sword and Shield’s biggest feature. It may not be a game changer, but the Isle of Armor still manages to be both an enjoyable slice of Pokémon and a satisfying taste of more to come.
Pokémon Sword and Shield: Isle of Armor isn’t the largest expansion available, but it is packed with enough to hold you off until the next DLC. There’s plenty of new Pokemon to catch and raid battles to join as you make your way across this new adventure. The entire expansion features enough to want to reinvest your time into this game that you might have put down a few months ago.
Being able to now Gigantamax Pokemon that previously couldn’t, teach your Pokemon new moves and the ability to find rarer items in the wild area are just a few new quality of life improvements Game Freak deem are worthy enough for audiences to pay for.
The first part of the Pokemon Shield and Sword's set of DLC takes you to paradise, but is it all that it's cracked up to be?
The unquestionable fact here is that the first DLC in Pokémon history could have been something much more grand, or at least memorable. It is possible to have fun, enjoy a few quick moments and you can certainly kill some time. Pokémon fans will feel compelled to buy the expansion, and if they want to extend the Sword / Shield experience, there really is no other option. It is a pity, however, that we fans always have to be content with so little on the part of Game Freak.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The first Pokémon DLC expands the area and Pokédex, and will put us to the test with the equipment we have.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
As an experience, the Isle of Armor DLC feels insufficient and seems to be having many issues.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Pokemon Sword and Shield: The Isle of Armor is a great welcoming add-on to the base game.
Pokemon Sword and Shield‘s Isle of Armor is groundbreaking but it gets the job done in pulling trainers back into its world. It’s exciting to see the expansion of the Galar Region with new geography and new stories. Pokemon catching may be the selling point of these games but this time around it is the story and level design that shines brightest.
The Isle of Armor compellingly builds on top of Pokemon Sword and Shield's experience, even if the main story scenario is rather brief. The new areas are diverse and fun to explore, and they will enthrall anybody who thoroughly enjoyed the base game's Wild Area.
Completionists will relish all Isle of Armor has to offer, with so many new Mon to add to your dex and lots to explore, as well as some new and unique powerups that further alter the way you play, it makes for an essential purchase. If you’re coming into this for story, though, you’re probably going to be pretty disappointed as it’s over before it even gets going and you’ll feel like Game Freak could have done a lot more with it.
Even though the Isle of Armor reintroduces 210 new Pokémon and provides a new and easier way to get certain items and upgrades, its story is too short and not entertaining to really prove itself worthy. However you are a big Pokémon fan and just want to capture more of them, this DLC will probably do the job for you.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
With few summer Switch games this year, The Isle of Armor is a breath of fresh air and its vibe will make you feel like you're on vacation. Plus, exploring the beautiful island while catching new Pokemon has definitely made me re-experience some of Pokemon Sword's magic.
The Pokemon Sword and Shield Isle of Armor DLC is a worthy add-on to the base game, despite being somewhat light on content.
The Isle of Armor changes a classic format to more open-world-ish, but it couldn't reach its full potential.
Review in Slovak | Read full review