Pokemon Scarlet

 Switch
User Score
3.4

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 3197 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 755 out of 3197
  2. Mixed: 290 out of 3197
  3. Negative: 2,152 out of 3197
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  1. kitkatra4
    Dec 6, 2022
    9
    One of the best Pokemon games I've played. Have already put 100hrs into it. I've had minor graphical errors, and no crashes or game breaking glitches.
  2. SimplyDink
    Dec 6, 2022
    9
    Nobody is saying this game doesn't have some performance issues here and there, it needs some polish and bugfixing, but this is still one of the best Pokemon games i've played across the entire series.
  3. Moxxoxo
    Dec 6, 2022
    9
    Some bugs, but not enough to affect gameplay. I love how much there is to explore and also how many tasks there are for the main storyline! I love the direction this game is taking towards an open world concept. I hope future games are continued in this style!
  4. PacNat
    Dec 6, 2022
    9
    Had an AMAZING time playing this game! I feel like this one truly encapsulates the Pokemon experience. Wandering around, finding strange Pokemon and thinking WTF IS THAT (affectionate)!!!! The soundtrack is phenomenal with very memorable tracks, the world is large and filled with Pokemon like Stantler prancing about, and the characters are various and loveable. The only thing that reallyHad an AMAZING time playing this game! I feel like this one truly encapsulates the Pokemon experience. Wandering around, finding strange Pokemon and thinking WTF IS THAT (affectionate)!!!! The soundtrack is phenomenal with very memorable tracks, the world is large and filled with Pokemon like Stantler prancing about, and the characters are various and loveable. The only thing that really bogged down my experience was the performance issues, which was super distracting at first, but as I progressed through the game I sorta got used to it. If they fixed the bugs, lag issues and the like, I truly believe this would be one of the best Pokemon games to have been released (coming from someone who has played through every gen).… Expand
  5. Enthusio
    Dec 6, 2022
    9
    This is an 8.5/10. Other reviewers have said it well, but I'll recap their points.

    This game has some of the best writing for a pokemon game. I don't want to blow this out of proportion, it's not Mass Effect or Portal, but I actually cared about several characters. Compare that to Arceus which had me saying "Shutupshutupshutup" with the A button whenever anyone forced me to listen to    This is an 8.5/10. Other reviewers have said it well, but I'll recap their points.

    This game has some of the best writing for a pokemon game. I don't want to blow this out of proportion, it's not Mass Effect or Portal, but I actually cared about several characters. Compare that to Arceus which had me saying "Shutupshutupshutup" with the A button whenever anyone forced me to listen to their drivel.

    It has a massive pokedex.

    Moving around is fun, and you can quickly go to the action. You have a lot of choice how you want to play.

    With a title this contentious you knew there'd be cons, so here we go:
    -A lack of level scaling makes some gyms trivial, and lack of information can make it confusing to know which is the right destination for a challenge.
    -Outfits, a staple of several previous games, are severely lacking. Hats, gloves, boots, are available but you need to keep your dumb orange-red school uniform. You can't even change the colour.
    -Some technical glitches. The graphical ones are most noticeable and common, with stuttering windmills or terrible walking animations very common. I have also had two crashes so far, and am most of the way through the game. One had no problem (autosave is frequent), the other required me to re-do a gym fight.

    Overall:
    Game Freak made Improvements in many areas, while dropping the ball on what should have been easy things to spot in development. For me, it's familiar Pokemon comfort food, but I understand why others are upset.    … Expand
  6. Azureendpoint
    Dec 6, 2022
    9
    The best Pokemon has ever been. From someone who grew up with the series and never missed a generation, I was losing interest and didn't even know if I'd buy this one, but I'm glad I did. I also got a copy for the rest of my family and we all enjoy playing both own our own and co-op which Gamefreak finally figured out how to do well. I have a few frame rate drops here and there and theThe best Pokemon has ever been. From someone who grew up with the series and never missed a generation, I was losing interest and didn't even know if I'd buy this one, but I'm glad I did. I also got a copy for the rest of my family and we all enjoy playing both own our own and co-op which Gamefreak finally figured out how to do well. I have a few frame rate drops here and there and the game has crashed on me exactly twice, but nothing game breaking. The auto-save works super well.… Expand
  7. Trentacool
    Dec 6, 2022
    8
    As an open world Pokemon game, this takes the best parts of Legends Arceus and integrates them perfectly with the mechanics of the tried and true mainline Pokemon franchise. It's very easy to look passed the visual glitches and frame rate drops. But is understandable a deal breaker for some players. The biggest flaw is the lack of scaling for gym leader to be encountered in any randomAs an open world Pokemon game, this takes the best parts of Legends Arceus and integrates them perfectly with the mechanics of the tried and true mainline Pokemon franchise. It's very easy to look passed the visual glitches and frame rate drops. But is understandable a deal breaker for some players. The biggest flaw is the lack of scaling for gym leader to be encountered in any random order you wish but that is slightly circumvented by all the early areas being so close in level that you can really do them in any order. Overall, this game hits its beats and was enjoyable from start to finish.… Expand
  8. Surio1
    Dec 6, 2022
    10
    Pokemon Violet has been an absolute joy to play. While the technical issues do exist they're minor and in my opinion don't mar the great experience that this game is. They take so many of the refreshing mechanics from Legends Arceus and include many of them, while adding further improvements. The gameplay is great, the graphics for the Pokemon and moves are actually great, and the story isPokemon Violet has been an absolute joy to play. While the technical issues do exist they're minor and in my opinion don't mar the great experience that this game is. They take so many of the refreshing mechanics from Legends Arceus and include many of them, while adding further improvements. The gameplay is great, the graphics for the Pokemon and moves are actually great, and the story is a vast improvement from any of the recent entries. I truly love this game and think it's a great experience for fans of the series and new players alike.… Expand
  9. Katdogcat
    Dec 6, 2022
    9
    This game completely changes the way Pokemon has been played for the past coming years. This one and Violet introduce a full free-to-explore game with great storytelling and fun world-building. Each character is developed well and the gameplay is engaging. The only problems I've had were dome visual glitches but it didn't change the gameplay one bit.
  10. jacobdalambo
    Dec 6, 2022
    10
    This is the BEST Pokemon game I have ever played! Though the glaring technical issues are a walking meme, when hasn't this franchise been a graphical joke carried by its monsters and characters. This is the first true installation that captures how the game should of been played with rivers, oceans, huge mountain peaks and deep caves. With a very active over world Pokemon experience IThis is the BEST Pokemon game I have ever played! Though the glaring technical issues are a walking meme, when hasn't this franchise been a graphical joke carried by its monsters and characters. This is the first true installation that captures how the game should of been played with rivers, oceans, huge mountain peaks and deep caves. With a very active over world Pokemon experience I could only imagine since my childhood. I cant go back to what Pokemon was. I hope they continue in this direction, improve the fps, graphics, textures and Nintendo releases a more powerful consol. Highly recommend to anyone that loves Pokemon and enjoy a true open world experience you can get lost in!… Expand
  11. TAKOB3ll
    Dec 6, 2022
    6
    The grafic are the lowest of all the franchise and technical really need a patch. Its feel like unfinish game. But story and the pokemon are probably the best i see before gen5
  12. Shazam08
    Dec 6, 2022
    10
    Yeah the performance is pretty bad, but it's still the best game in the franchise by a long shot
  13. Lassavins
    Dec 7, 2022
    10
    The best pokemon game yet BY FAR. And I've been playing since red and blue in the late 90s. Most of the bad reviews are from kids coming from their favorite youtube sensacionalist channel that, in their spree for views, over exagerated performance concerns.

    Best story. The open world is gorgeous. The multiplayer is excelent. This is the direction Game Freak should push. And I'm afraid    The best pokemon game yet BY FAR. And I've been playing since red and blue in the late 90s. Most of the bad reviews are from kids coming from their favorite youtube sensacionalist channel that, in their spree for views, over exagerated performance concerns.

    Best story. The open world is gorgeous. The multiplayer is excelent. This is the direction Game Freak should push. And I'm afraid that, with all this internet trolls that didnt even play the game, we could return to those linear 2.5D games.

    Sales dont reflect what trolls say.    … Expand
  14. BladeX95
    Dec 7, 2022
    8
    Scarlet and violet have the best characters and stories we've had in several generations. The game is glitchy in the early game and lags even when offline. Not my favorite pokemon designs and moving TMs back to single use is a step backward. Graphics are a decent improvement from SW/SH, The open world is diverse and decently sized. The ability to explore most areas from the start isScarlet and violet have the best characters and stories we've had in several generations. The game is glitchy in the early game and lags even when offline. Not my favorite pokemon designs and moving TMs back to single use is a step backward. Graphics are a decent improvement from SW/SH, The open world is diverse and decently sized. The ability to explore most areas from the start is great, I wish there was level scaling build in but there seems to be parts of each story line that are a decent challenge at any level. Raids are fun and harder than the ones in Sw/SH.… Expand
  15. Redchook
    Dec 7, 2022
    8
    Obviously the people who give this game low ratings have not played it all the way through or really appreciate what Pokemon is about.
    To me, it is a classic call back to the originals with a good bit fairly quiet plot and excellent music. Also the first game for a long time to introduce an entire rooster of new Pokemon that are all good and I would train up at least for a period.
    Yes, the    Obviously the people who give this game low ratings have not played it all the way through or really appreciate what Pokemon is about.
    To me, it is a classic call back to the originals with a good bit fairly quiet plot and excellent music. Also the first game for a long time to introduce an entire rooster of new Pokemon that are all good and I would train up at least for a period.
    Yes, the game is buggy, but for myself and most players nothing game breaking. And a lot of games are being released like that now, and o believe scarlet and violet can be fixed.
    Yes, the graphics maybe are not quite what the switch is capable of, but for the series of pokemon, they are improving as a whole.
    If DLC was added to make the game longer and most the bugs are patched I would probably give it a ten    … Expand
  16. Danneevee
    Dec 7, 2022
    10
    The best history in a Pokémon game, an amazing open world and incredible new Pokémon with the biggest amount of number in the past 4 generations.
  17. NixyFox
    Dec 8, 2022
    0
    Again GameFreak have let the fans down by not coding in all the Pokémon thus people are not getting the experience they're paying for, Pokémon from 6 years ago still stuck in the Limbo of Pokémon Home!

    The game is a mess, not just because of the disgusting state it was released. We were sold on freedom of playing the game in any way we choose, this was false. Areas all have level    Again GameFreak have let the fans down by not coding in all the Pokémon thus people are not getting the experience they're paying for, Pokémon from 6 years ago still stuck in the Limbo of Pokémon Home!

    The game is a mess, not just because of the disgusting state it was released.

    We were sold on freedom of playing the game in any way we choose, this was false.

    Areas all have level variances so do gyms, titan Pokémon, team star bases etc.

    The experience does not scale to your personal progress, which would have made the games actually great, since you get badges for completing elements of the game those badges should affect the levels of the content you play, but NO! They took the easy lazy option, what's worse is the Pokémon centres are supposed to guide you through the content to give you a smoothe experience but they send you to content that's closest to you regardless of what level you are, it's not good...

    To play the game and have half a decent experience you need to use a guide to follow the true route, oh and you thought you could skip doing certain content you don't want to do because it's monotonous and boring? Guess again, you have no choice but to do it because you need to do it all to complete the main story.

    Honestly I've been playing Pokémon since the beginning in the 90s, the switch games have been a slap in the face, hoping things will improve in the next game, that GF actually listened to feedback and would correct their mistakes, but nope, they've gotten lazy and complacent and worse! because they know their game will sell record numbers regardless.

    I'm done with the series on the switch, I'm not paying into this franchise anymore until GF do better!    … Expand
  18. Standri
    Dec 8, 2022
    0
    Ils se foutent de vous, RÉVEILLEZ VOUS!!!!! La licence la plus lucrative du monde qui pond des jeux comme ça alors qu'on mérite mieux nous les fans et joueurs qui veulent du bien de cette licence qui malheureusement va droit au mur grâce à NINTENDO et ses fans aveugles sans esprit critique.
  19. MightyNMZK
    Dec 10, 2022
    8
    Yes the game is very unfinished, very buggy, has fps drops and has a very bad performance, BUT its still fun to play.

    What we missed in every Pokémon game in the past was the open world. Now we have the open world and finally you can choose your own path, and go where you want to go. The "bad graphics" are mostly in the open world area, but the character models of the trainers and the    Yes the game is very unfinished, very buggy, has fps drops and has a very bad performance, BUT its still fun to play.

    What we missed in every Pokémon game in the past was the open world. Now we have the open world and finally you can choose your own path, and go where you want to go.

    The "bad graphics" are mostly in the open world area, but the character models of the trainers and the pokemon are very good.

    In this game you have three storys like in every other Pokémon games, these are:
    1. Gym battles and league.
    2. Battle against the evil team
    3. Beat the boss Pokémon
    But they did it very good, the story telling and the personalities of the main characters and the pokemon are very nice.

    Collecting all the pokemon is more fun as in legends arceus or shield & sword.

    Thanks for reading my opinion and sorry for my bad english, have fun with gaming, bye!    … Expand
  20. Oslar33
    Dec 11, 2022
    8
    This game has been an ode to all OG pokemon fans, which hasn't presented us with such an interesting story since pokemon Black and White, unfortunately it has a lousy graphic section, although that did not affect my enjoyment.
  21. Evansc915
    Dec 11, 2022
    9
    As a fan since generation one and growing up with the entire series, I have to say this is one of my favorite generations in a long time. Pokémon scarlet and violet breathe new life into the series while lengthening the core story players are used to. The biggest gripe I have is a few performance issues that are noticeable, but have not impacted my game experience. Hopefully patches areAs a fan since generation one and growing up with the entire series, I have to say this is one of my favorite generations in a long time. Pokémon scarlet and violet breathe new life into the series while lengthening the core story players are used to. The biggest gripe I have is a few performance issues that are noticeable, but have not impacted my game experience. Hopefully patches are released so I can give this game a 10 out of 10 score.… Expand
  22. ProjectHMF
    Dec 24, 2022
    0
    Game sucks cock and balls

    -text filler text filler text filler text filler text filler text filler text filler text filler text filler-
  23. freakbot
    Nov 19, 2022
    0
    It's an insult to the gaming world that a game like this is on the market. GF have no affection for their IP and have no minimal courtesy towards their customers. Perfect crap, save your money.
  24. Rayze_Darr
    Nov 19, 2022
    0
    The game simply isn't finished. The glitches, the framerate, the lack of customization, the lack of any competitive endgame a la Battle Tower. Even the monster designs themselves are dull and incomplete feeling. This generation offers nothing over previous, completed generations, and in its current state should just be skipped.
  25. rikip
    Nov 19, 2022
    0
    People are really trying to bot the rating with their tens.
    With every 10 we REAL fans will give a 0.
    We must save this brand
  26. Down_Cast
    Nov 20, 2022
    3
    Plastic playdoh adventure game. Seriously, how can it look and run this bad. Never in my 30+ hours of playing this game does it ever get above 24fps. How can xenoblade and botw run 30fps but Pokémon can’t? A billion dollar company with a multibillion franchise can even optimize an engine.

    Edit: it’s been well over 2 months and not even a single patch released to even glance at the    Plastic playdoh adventure game. Seriously, how can it look and run this bad. Never in my 30+ hours of playing this game does it ever get above 24fps. How can xenoblade and botw run 30fps but Pokémon can’t? A billion dollar company with a multibillion franchise can even optimize an engine.

    Edit: it’s been well over 2 months and not even a single patch released to even glance at the performance issues.    … Expand
  27. Luisguerreroa
    Nov 19, 2022
    0
    Tiene los mismos problemas que las otra versión, la mayoría son problemas técnicos que empeoran la experiencia de manera terrible, uno de los peores pjuegos de pokemon junto a pokemon escudo y espada
  28. KadentheKitsune
    Nov 19, 2022
    2
    I have played for about 10 hours now and would say that i have seen about half of the game so far, the story is... Okay i guess, nothing special, or groundbreaking. Characters are, for a few exceptions pretty boring or stupid.
    The open world is big, but lifeless and pretty ugly most of the time, but nonetheless better than the smal area from sword and shield.
    The biggest problem however    I have played for about 10 hours now and would say that i have seen about half of the game so far, the story is... Okay i guess, nothing special, or groundbreaking. Characters are, for a few exceptions pretty boring or stupid.
    The open world is big, but lifeless and pretty ugly most of the time, but nonetheless better than the smal area from sword and shield.
    The biggest problem however are the technical problems like glitches, textures or buildings not loading properly, weird camera clipping and annoying fps drops that happen regularly.    … Expand
  29. HarryHD
    Nov 19, 2022
    1
    1 star for how disappointing and disrespectful this product is. Potentially fun game held back by bugs, frame rate stutters, bad graphics. Absolutely unacceptable, unfinished game. Feel so bad for the artists who made this game, only for Gamefreak/the Pokémon company to ruin it.

    Xenoblade 3 looks and runs great on the switch. Gamefreak is the problem, not the hardware. Looks like a muddy    1 star for how disappointing and disrespectful this product is. Potentially fun game held back by bugs, frame rate stutters, bad graphics. Absolutely unacceptable, unfinished game. Feel so bad for the artists who made this game, only for Gamefreak/the Pokémon company to ruin it.

    Xenoblade 3 looks and runs great on the switch. Gamefreak is the problem, not the hardware. Looks like a muddy wasteland.
    Legends arceus was a step in the right direction. What happened here?

    Pokémon is the highest grossing media franchise in global history, yet Gamefreak can't be bothered to release a finished game. You need to add voice acting (why do you even bother animating lip movement, incredibly awkward); significantly improve graphics and animations; balance megas and add them back in; and actually finish the product for release.

    Review for violet and scarlet as they are practically the same game    … Expand
  30. BilliamWattrex
    Nov 19, 2022
    1
    I had a long well thought out review for this but I lost it when submitting it.

    All and all, Game is fun, but riddled with bugs and low effort new mechanics. Giving this game an 8 or higher is a joke and a disservice to Pokemon fans who deserved a polished, high quality game for a very long time now. This is not out of hate, it's out of love for a once great franchise. I hope people    I had a long well thought out review for this but I lost it when submitting it.

    All and all, Game is fun, but riddled with bugs and low effort new mechanics. Giving this game an 8 or higher is a joke and a disservice to Pokemon fans who deserved a polished, high quality game for a very long time now.

    This is not out of hate, it's out of love for a once great franchise. I hope people are waking up now and that GameFreak needs more support/time, or a complete overhaul, or even outsourcing (as long as it's not to a mobile game dev). It can be done, but the name alone is enough to ignore the lack of quality and sell the game anyway.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 118 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 60 out of 118
  3. Negative: 2 out of 118
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 24, 2024
    60
    Not a bad game. It still has its solid core, new Pokémon, and what's worked for years continues to work. The open world is a questionable addition in my opinion. [Issue#324]
  2. VideoGamer
    Dec 14, 2023
    70
    Pokemon Scarlet and Violet take the long-awaited step into a fully open-world, but one poorly implemented and marred by frustration. A compelling story and characters are a saving grace in what is ultimately a fun game, but Pokemon's attempts at modernising continue to fall disappointingly short.
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  3. Het Nieuwsblad
    Jul 31, 2023
    20
    A square wheel spins more smoothly and fluidly than this game. If three Pokémon or characters come into view at once, the whole game creaks and falters. Edge-off unplayable. And that's a shame. Because the addition of an open world is "on paper" a puffy idea to refresh the franchise. No more linear walking that takes you past gyms and ever stronger and different Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all. You can go wherever you want. With some tactics, you can take on some very tough challenges with Pokémon that aren't nearly strong enough. Fun! Except this game just wasn't ready. It's shameless that Nintendo and Game Freak are still throwing it on the market. Nevertheless: 10 million games sold in just three days.
    Read full review
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