While there are many classic features Pokemon fans would love to return in future installments of the series, there is one in particular that they almost universally agree should remain excluded.

This feature is of course Hidden Machines (HMs), which would teach Pokemon unique moves that were needed to progress in the story and access hidden areas. The HMs were a source of endless annoyance for many Pokemon players, as they would have to sacrifice moveslots or party spaces to accommodate HM moves, or risk encountering a roadblock impassable without HMs.

Naturally, the fandom rejoiced when Pokemon Sun & Moon removed HMs in favor of the much more convenient Ride Pokemon system, which served a similar function but without costing moveslots or party spaces. Speaking to Gameinformer, planning director Kazumasa Iwao confirmed Pokemon Sword & Shield would be doing away with HMs as well.

I think they played a role in the series traditionally to be like the relationship between a door and a key; the HM will unlock something and you’re able to progress and feel the ability to go to a new place,”

“We didn’t have them in Sun and Moon, and this time around, we didn’t feel it really matched the concept, especially with the Wild Area and wanting to have this higher degree of freedom. The player can kind of choose how they want to engage with the gameplay. Having the more HM-based elements, we didn’t feel it really matched the game, so this time around they’re not in it.”

What is interesting to note is that Iwao’s comment implies that Pokemon Sword & Shield will have a greater emphasis on player freedom and agency, the lack of which was a common criticism of Pokemon Sun & Moon.

Could we perhaps see a less restrictive and more “open-world” type experience this time around? We will just have to wait and see when Pokemon Sword & Shield launches in November.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.