Countdown to Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield

We've not been this excited for a new game for a while. Yes, there are National Dex(or lack thereof) 'woes' but we can't wait to jump into a new region, on the big screen, we're relatively spoiler free and there seems to be a tonne of quality of life improvements including, finally, thankfully being able to change natures of pokémon (easy mode though?).

Will the open fields and valleys actually be open? Will the end game content be more Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby or X/Y? Will the new additions to the pokédex end up as fan favourites or niche beasts? Has Omastar made it in?

Funny how games can sometimes still get us like this.