Look for clues in the Japanese logos
X and Y had a mega evolution symbol
ORAS had the primal symbol
SM had a Z Crystal
USUM had Ultra Necrozma’s prism symbol
Sword and Shield (not getting into an abbreviation debate) have the same symbol that’s seen on the outside of gyms. That, plus the fact that supposedly these gyms are different, having “gym masters” instead of leaders, makes me think that
>>38087254 is right and there either isn’t a gimmick at all, or it’s a new battle mode to do with the gym battles.
