Pokemon Sword and Shield, X and Y’s Relationship is Much Deeper Than You Think

Prior to the release of Pokemon Sword and Shield, a rumor began circulating about its ties to its predecessor, Pokemon X and Y. It featured the Kalos region, while Sword and Shield is placed in the Galar region. However, at the initial unveiling of the newest installment, some fans theorized that Sword and Shield would feature both regions. Though Kalos didn’t make a return to the main game, this theory isn’t quite dead yet: while the first DLC of Sword and Shield draws inspiration from the Isle of Man and the second upcoming DLC entitled Crown Tundra confirmed to be based on Scotland, a third rumored DLC still has the possibility of bringing players back to Kalos.

While the main purview of the main Pokemon series is to battle gyms and beat the Elite Four, the games have always introduced some lore in each installment, tying the history of the fictional universe into the origins of its legendary Pokemon. Pokemon Sword and Shield is no different, and looking at the histories of both Galar and Kalos can unveil some deep connections between the two regions.

As apart of the Pokemon X and Y story, players discover the Kalos War that occurred 3,000 years ago, sometimes referred to as “The Great War.” For players that don’t already know, Galar is based on the U.K., and Kalos is based on France. Just before the incitement of the Great War, it was thought that Kalos was a strong civilization respected by other regions. Some fans theorize that Galar may have been involved in this war, with some unconfirmed sources calling it the “Kalos-Galar” war that resulted from a disagreement between the two nations. It’s thought that the Kalos War involved Galar as a reference to the historical conflicts between England and France.

But it is confirmed that the war broke out between Kalos and another nearby country, and many believe it to be Galar, though it hasn’t been confirmed canonically yet. During this time, Pokemon were being used as mere weapons by their masters in the war. AZ, the former king of Kalos, ended the war after his beloved Floette died by creating a weapon that would destroy many Pokemon and restore life to his own deceased one.

After the war continued for what some sources say about a century, AZ created the Ultimate Weapon 3,000 years prior to the events of Pokemon X and Y. The weapon was powered by Infinity Energy and was used to wipe out Pokemon on both sides of the war. Not only that, but AZ also gained immortality as a result of the machine and Floette’s life was restored, but the Pokemon left AZ, disgusted by his actions.

Also 3,000 years before the events occurring in Pokemon Sword and Shield was the event known as the Darkest Day. The Darkest Day, which Sonia is searching for information on through the game, is the origination of Pokemon’s Dynamax and Gigantamax abilities. The black storm was a result of the legendary Pokemon Eternatus absorbing Galar’s energy in an attempt to stay alive. Again, there are conflicting sources on some pieces of information, but in Sheila, it’s confirmed that Eternatus came to Earth in a meteorite 20,000 years ago.

Some sources say that Eternatus wasn’t awoken until 3,000 years ago following its arrival to Earth, causing some fans to theorize that the legendary Pokemon was awoken by the use of the Ultimate Weapon and forcing it to absorb Galar’s energy. Some fans also say that the red light emitting from Dynamax energy is a result of the Ultimate Weapon as well.

Either way, it looks like Eternatus is tied to the original use of the Ultimate Weapon 3,000 years ago, and perhaps in the rumored upcoming Pokemon DLC, fans will get some closure on how the two regions are tied together. If true, that rumored third DLC might bring trainers from train stations in Galar to the mysterious Couriway station in Kalos said to bring “trainers from a long way away,” mirroring the real-world train ride between the U.K. and France.

Pokemon Sword and Shield is out now for Nintendo Switch.

MORE: 3DS Games We Want on Switch

电子产品排行榜