Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will have DLC as well, according to Pokemon leaker Riddler Khu. This could mean the Gen 9 games will have a similar approach to extra content as Sword and Shield, adding even more things to do and places to discover. Speaking of locations in the Pokemon series, there are many iconic landmarks and cities in every game, be it because they tie well into the real-world places they are inspired by, or because they play an important role in the games. Pokemon Sword and Shield introduced several unique settings that are worth shedding light on.
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Most Noteworthy Pokemon Sword and Shield Settlements
One of the most unique locations in Generation 8 is the small settlement of Ballonlea, a town situated in the northwestern part of Galar that is only accessible by traversing the Glimwood Tangle forest. Glimwood Tangle shares a lot of environmental set pieces with Ballonlea thanks to the myriad colorful fungi and Pokemon found there, creating a setting that’s partly sinister and partly beautiful. Ballonlea is full of life, with lots of fungi from the Glimwood Tangle scattered all over the place, creating a tranquil and magical ambiance.
What’s interesting about Ballonlea and Glimwood Tangle is that they are likely inspired by the real-world city of Nottingham and the Sherwood Forest. The latter is renowned for its association with the tale of Robin Hood, and the forest itself is home to hundreds of fungi species - although they are not as magical and bright as those in the Glimwood Tangle. The association makes a lot of sense because Galar is modeled after the United Kingdom, paying homage to those places across the pond.
Another memorable location in Pokemon Sword and Shield is Circhester, a large peaceful town in the northern part of Galar that features a hot spring to battle off the cold climate. This settlement does have similar themes to other towns from different Pokemon games, but it’s an interesting one because of the Hero’s Bath that resembles real-world Roman baths of cities like Colchester and Bath in the UK. Circhester is very similar to Bath in terms of buildings and its hot spring, but the climate is quite different in the Somerset area, which is much warmer.
Last but not least is Stow-on-Side, which Pokemon Sword and Shield players encounter while traversing a rocky desert area that connects Hammerlocke with Ballonlea. While officially there are no deserts in the UK, many residents refer to the Dungeness area in the Kent region as a local desert where abandoned rails, sheds, and even land-stranded boats comprise a good chunk of the landscape. Stow-on-Side is based on the Dungeness “desert,” even though in the games it has a more lively atmosphere thanks to the local market and the rich history, not to mention the town’s Pokemon Stadium that houses either Gym Leader Bea or Allister.
Pokemon Sword and Shield are available now on Nintendo Switch.
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