Pokemon Duel

 iOS
Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. Gamezebo
    Feb 2, 2017
    70
    In terms of pure gameplay, there’s no question that Pokemon Duel is superior to Pokemon Go. The competitive nature of it also means it’ll be less faddish and more likely to get better with age. It’s simply too imperfect in its current form to be as fun as it could be, so if you want to dive into it while it goes through its growing pains, be prepared for more lulls than LOLs.
  2. Games Master UK
    Apr 2, 2017
    68
    An intriguing but seriously flawed strategy board game for only the most patient of Poke-fans. [March 2017, p.80]
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  3. Atomix
    Jan 29, 2017
    68
    Pokémon Duel is not a bad game and becomes fun. If it were not for the loading times it would be fun to go in from time to time and play a game with acquaintances or with artificial intelligence; However, we cannot overlook that it has errors in its system that make the experience even more frustrating.
  5. 148Apps
    Feb 2, 2017
    60
    When you're actively in a match of Pokémon Duel, it's a solidly strategic board game that effectively evokes Pokémon. Unfortunately, there's a boatload of garbage you have to sift through every time you want to get to this part of the game. In its current state, this trade-off is hardly worth it, but I can easily see an update or two cleaning up a lot of the rough edges to make Pokémon Duel not only more playable, but a pretty great experience in general.
  6. Destructoid
    Feb 1, 2017
    60
    You need skill to win, but when someone can just spend as much money as they want on booster packs and leveling up their figures, skill may only be able to get you so far.
  7. Nintendo Life
    Jan 30, 2017
    60
    Pokémon Duel is an odd game. It's a smart, strategic board game that also has questionable design choices, a reliance on in-app purchases and a battle system that relies too heavily on luck. It has the potential to be so much more, and it could fulfil that latent promise with future updates; despite its design issues it is oddly compelling and we found ourselves coming back to it as a result. It's a mixed bag, all told, and in the context of the grand nature of the Pokémon brand that's a disappointment - improvements are needed for it to stand tall within the franchise.
  8. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 19, 2017
    50
    Chance and strategy don't go together. [Issue #26 – March/April 2017, p.18]
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed iOS Game of 2017
34
#34 Most Shared iOS Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 27
  3. Negative: 7 out of 27
  1. plinqster
    Oct 30, 2017
    8
    This is a pretty solid tactical board game, with a decent amount of intricacy. The FTP elements are not terribly chincy. If you want to getThis is a pretty solid tactical board game, with a decent amount of intricacy. The FTP elements are not terribly chincy. If you want to get the most out of it, learn how the various attacking mechanucs work, and never forget that the goal is to get a piece to the opponent's back center square.

    It is possible that rushing the opponent's goal is slightly too optimal. Having better pokemon can also be a big advantage. But decent ones are not too hard to get without spending a dime, and tactics routinely trumps power pokemon.

    The wheel spin is panned, but I think the issue is largely pyschological -- it does not undermine the strategy.    … Full Review »
  2. scheelio
    Feb 10, 2017
    8
    THIS GAME IS NOT, IN ANY WAY, SIMILAR TO POKEMON GO OR THE TRADITIONAL HANDHELD POKEMON GAMES.

    This is a very good strategy board game that    THIS GAME IS NOT, IN ANY WAY, SIMILAR TO POKEMON GO OR THE TRADITIONAL HANDHELD POKEMON GAMES.

    This is a very good strategy board game that has received a lot of poor reviews from people that don't understand it. Anyone who's criticism includes "there is too much luck involved", doesn't understand the game. Almost all turn-based battle games involve the same spin/RNG/dice roll mechanic -- they just don't SHOW it to you. I mean, what do think is happening in a game when you attack something and it results in a "Dodge" or "Miss"??? Besides, the real strategy in this game is focused on board positioning and control. In the majority of matches I play, less than 10% of turns actually result in a battle.

    If you enjoy chess or Go and similar strategy board games, then I would recommend checking this one out. If you only want to battle Pokemon, then please skip it and leave it those that actually understand what it is.    … Full Review »
  3. AlexMakesToast
    Nov 20, 2022
    4
    Duel = 4/10
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