Alright, we've looked over some of the footage for mechanics changes... ...But are we not gonna talk about
that GameInformer article tho? A lot of it is redacted, but there's still some interesting implications and new information.
"However, instead of it being the typical professor giving the monologue, Sword and Shield open with a speech from Chairman Rose in the middle of stadium in the style of a TV broadcast. The speech goes over the same beats as your typical Pokémon opening, but sets the tone for the sports-centric atmosphere in the Galar region. " Nothing really earthshattering here, just a neat subtle change of pace that as OP says gives some insight into Galar.
"After a brief speech, undefeated Galar champion Leon emerges
to begin a battle with a character I can’t yet discuss. Leon calls out his trusty Charizard and the broadcast cuts away just as his Charizard grows enormous in size." A while back, I remember a screenshot being added to the website teasing Leon which showed him addressing someone named "Raihan". Could he be more important than we initially thought?
"Leon then recalls the sole remaining Pokémon, Grookey.
With a subtle emphasis on Leon bringing the grass-type back to his possession, I ask if we’ll ever see that particular Grookey again. The team declines to comment." Sounds like Leon will use the final form of whatever starter neither you or Hop choose in the final battle with him. Kukui did this too in Sun and Moon!
" As I venture deeper into the woods,
a mysterious creature appears before me. While I can’t spoil what happens, I eventually exit the Slumbering Weald, Wooloo by my side, and am back on track toward Wedgehurst. " This could mean all kinds of things. Eternatus? A member of the secondary legendary group, i.e. the cutscene in Sun and Moon where your character gets saved by Tapu Koko? Something else entirely?
"While I can’t say any of the creatures aside from Yamper,
I love how different Pokémon appear in the tall grass through random encounters than do as creatures that roam in the environment." 0_0 sounds like you can't catch the entire Galar Pokedex without good ol' running through grass. If I'm interpreting this right, that means we haven't seen everything the currently showcased environments have to offer.
"However, before venturing out of the town, I swing by the Pokémon Center. Galarian Pokémon Centers continue down the path of being one-stop shops for many of your Pokémon needs.
In addition to healing your Pokémon through the nurse, you can also have their nicknames rated, rename them, or even delete moves. You can also access the PC and buy supplies in the shop
. After stocking up, it’s time to venture to Professor Magnolia." The Name Rater is dead! Now you can change nicknames anytime you head to the Pokemon Center, right at the start of the game on top of that! Neat QOL improvement.
"Once I receive the Letter of Endorsement,
a shiny object falls from the sky. This Wishing Star grants me access to the Dynamax ability, which causes your Pokémon to grow massive and powerful in battle. " Woah, woah, woah, what?! Access to Dynamaxing literally falls from the sky??? The writer didn't mention a cutscene to go along with this of other characters explaining the source, so in my eyes this strongly implies there is an unseen Pokemon (likely a Legendary or even a Mythical) responsible for Dynamaxing being a thing.
