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. jernkorset
    Nov 24, 2022
    2
    It has some fun ideas and the open world feels less empty than Legends Arceus, but the performance issues are too big to ignore and completely ruined my experience. I just did a couple of hours of catching new stuff and then the game crashed and I lost all the progress which I've never expereienced in my 20+ years playing pokemon.

    I don't want to keep playing this unfinished garbage. I    It has some fun ideas and the open world feels less empty than Legends Arceus, but the performance issues are too big to ignore and completely ruined my experience. I just did a couple of hours of catching new stuff and then the game crashed and I lost all the progress which I've never expereienced in my 20+ years playing pokemon.

    I don't want to keep playing this unfinished garbage. I stopped pre-ordering games from other big stuidos because they kept releasing trash like this. After this embarassment I'm not putting my faith in Nintendo either, especially anything Pokemon    … Expand
  2. Rowdy_Cloudy
    Nov 25, 2022
    1
    The entire region of Paldea is forgettable. Incredibly uninspiring adventure through a slog of bugs and technical issues. Worst game in the series by far.
  3. Bkeenan
    Jan 7, 2023
    1
    I waited quite a while after release hoping for a patch for all the known issues, as of January 2023 the game is still bad. Frame rate is still awful, people and pokemon just appear right in front of you, you see through the floor with any battle on an incline, koraidon gets stuck in falling animation, object textures pop in and out etc...

    The game has crashed several times and throughout    I waited quite a while after release hoping for a patch for all the known issues, as of January 2023 the game is still bad. Frame rate is still awful, people and pokemon just appear right in front of you, you see through the floor with any battle on an incline, koraidon gets stuck in falling animation, object textures pop in and out etc...

    The game has crashed several times and throughout the entirety of the time that I've owned a switch, no other game has crashed even once for me, none. Then there's the actual game, the story is boring. I quickly skimmed through most conversations, you know what's about to happen because every part of each quest is just a repeat of the previous part. The open world is barren, the cities/ towns are basically all the same. The only thing that differs is the biome. And the Pokemon, like seriously Flamigo? Lazy isn't a strong enough word. Honestly you could have slapped a second head on it or gave it a spiky butt, hell anything, they literally just put a flamingo in, removed the n from the name and that was it. Pokemon fans deserve better than rubbish. It's clearly unfinished and unoptimized. Either the devs were lazy and didn't care or more than likely were under pressure to release it by a certain date, finished or not.    … Expand
  4. Poochdogg
    Dec 6, 2022
    10
    Overall I think this is the best Pokémon game that has ever been made. The game has its flaws but I don't feel they were enough to detract from the fun of this game. I am 60 hours into the game and I can't put it down. It is the Pokémon game I have always wanted, even if a little unpolished. I love this game and I can't stop exploring Paldea. I'm really hoping they release DLC because IOverall I think this is the best Pokémon game that has ever been made. The game has its flaws but I don't feel they were enough to detract from the fun of this game. I am 60 hours into the game and I can't put it down. It is the Pokémon game I have always wanted, even if a little unpolished. I love this game and I can't stop exploring Paldea. I'm really hoping they release DLC because I can't put this down.… Expand
  5. Paps_Yt
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    These games are really cool. Please play the game instead of criticizing it, because it has a good plot, good characters and in my opinion good pokemon designs, so yeah
  6. sharakor
    Dec 9, 2022
    0
    Pokemon is the highest-grossing media franchise on the planet - they should be ashamed to release a game in this state. Without the crippling technical issues (even in handheld mode!), the game would easily be one of the best in the series, right after Black/White 1 and 2 in terms of story.

    But constant framerate dips way below 20 fps, pop-in centimetres in front of the player,    Pokemon is the highest-grossing media franchise on the planet - they should be ashamed to release a game in this state. Without the crippling technical issues (even in handheld mode!), the game would easily be one of the best in the series, right after Black/White 1 and 2 in terms of story.

    But constant framerate dips way below 20 fps, pop-in centimetres in front of the player, animations that reduce to 2 fps or even 0 fps (static) literally right next to the player, extremely bad shadow handling, etc, pp. make this just atrocious to play.

    I'm not a graphics nerd and Pokemon has certainly never been renowned for state of the art graphics. But if a new flagship game not only looks worse than most PS2 games, but also has extreme performance issues, that is just unacceptable.

    Give these games more time to mature, a better team to help development along (as has happened before in the franchise). And, above all, quality over quantity. It is truly sad how Legends: Arceus was criticised for technical shortcomings, yet next to Scarlet/Violet looks like Far Cry.    … Expand
  7. Zio_inopportuno
    Dec 12, 2022
    0
    This game is messy production, a scam that made 10.000.000 of victims in the first week. It doesn't even feel like a Pokémon game, it feels like a rip-off, a fan made game, from a fan that doesn't know how to program. The lazyness is unprecedented even for Game Freak. The game is broken in terms of bugs, crashes and so on. Animations, even in cutscenes are terrible. There is nothing toThis game is messy production, a scam that made 10.000.000 of victims in the first week. It doesn't even feel like a Pokémon game, it feels like a rip-off, a fan made game, from a fan that doesn't know how to program. The lazyness is unprecedented even for Game Freak. The game is broken in terms of bugs, crashes and so on. Animations, even in cutscenes are terrible. There is nothing to explore in this world, or in its cities because there are no caves, no maze, no interns (yes, there are no buildings where you can enter). Pokémon are thrown in the environment without any interactions with it, or with eachother. The league is an empty room where you battle four puppets with no character. The story that the pokesub still want to praise, is trivial. Bullism because you are beautiful, or intelligent or strong? This is an insult to whoever got bullied. Also, the evil character has no motivation, she likes the past, that's why she does things. That's it, the past is, I don't know, beautiful? Better than the present? Yeah, why? Why does she think that. Complex characters and story, my ass.
    Don't buy this game, it's a 60$ scam.    … Expand
  8. Jzx88
    Jan 7, 2023
    1
    Terrible performance, terrible textures, terrible pop-in, terrible animations and a bland empty open world lacking anything interesting. The only redeeming quality is the gameplay loop of catching, training and battling pokemon. A formula that's worked since gen 1 and apparently also the bare minimum a pokemon game needs to sell these days
  9. gibihm
    Nov 19, 2022
    0
    Looks like garbage, how did this product got trough it is bugged and looks horrible
  10. DilsonNeto
    Nov 19, 2022
    3
    The worst map design that i've ever seen especialy in a pokemon game. The games should be fun have an objetivos, but this feels more like an enormous sandbox of a grassland. Boring, has as a sandbox zero dificulty, a shame one of My favourite franchises ending up in this way. HORRIBLE game.
  11. shu98
    Nov 19, 2022
    2
    As a long pokemon fan, i find this game insulting in many ways. I had always tried to find the good in all the last pokemon games to find em more enjoyable and fun, but this is just unacceptable.

    First, let's pretend this is a finished product (when it is clearly not) subjectively find the design of the new pokemon really lame and poorly inspired, the worst generation by far. Too much    As a long pokemon fan, i find this game insulting in many ways. I had always tried to find the good in all the last pokemon games to find em more enjoyable and fun, but this is just unacceptable.

    First, let's pretend this is a finished product (when it is clearly not) subjectively find the design of the new pokemon really lame and poorly inspired, the worst generation by far. Too much humanoid evolution and so many weird evolution. That is just my taste though so it wont matter much in the score.

    The story and narrative is good at times but quite bad and messy overall.
    The difficulty is completely unbalanced, since level scaling dont exist and as such you can trivialize most of the challenges simply chosing a certain order.
    I dont expect much from a pokemon game in these two categories though, so i can let that slide.

    The real problem is: the game is totally void. It is big in its scope, but devoid of any type of activity, sidequest, interaction with npc. City are totally empty and useless, the open world is big without a level design. You just roam around to pick items at some point, since if you challenge all the trainer you will fing yourself overlevelled, unless you constantly change your party making it weaker on purpose. I am not even talking about team star base and "boss", such a disappontment

    The quality of life is reduced from some of his previous interaction, you cannot turn down the animation and fight style is fixed on set, so you cannot decide to turn it down from option, just like the exp share.

    Honestly, a pokemon game even in its lowest moment managed to be fun since its core gameplay is extremely rewarding and functional per se, even considering its poor story, childish character development, low difficlutybut and mid to low level design in puzzle and exploration. This time they manage to make a pokemon game almost boring, even as a die hard fan.

    That would be a 6 for me, if not for the fact that this game is not finished. It should not have been sold in this state, it is like a alpha rather than a finished product.
    Aside for the low quality res and texture, except for the pokemon model which are greatly improved from the previous game, everything is a mess.
    Performance is really bad, 15 fps in some moment even lower, despite being few object on screen,
    camera angle problem, glitch, soft lock and some real issue about lighting and npc modeling.

    The switch is not the problem, optimization is.
    This is the first time i am asking for a refund, it should be illegal to sell a game in this state.    … Expand
  12. xblackdemonx
    Dec 7, 2022
    1
    The framerate is horrible. The game bugs very often. The game textures are very bad. It looks like a PS2 game. It feels like the game is still in early access.
  13. Darkfruit64
    Nov 20, 2022
    4
    Do not understand how people are rating this a 10, despite listing it's many flaws in their reviews? Underneath the various graphical, lighting, clipping issues, poor unstable fps, lag, stutters, and animation flaws there's a lot of fun to be had. But all of the aforementioned issues really dampen the experience, this clearly is an unfinished product which unfortunately we've come toDo not understand how people are rating this a 10, despite listing it's many flaws in their reviews? Underneath the various graphical, lighting, clipping issues, poor unstable fps, lag, stutters, and animation flaws there's a lot of fun to be had. But all of the aforementioned issues really dampen the experience, this clearly is an unfinished product which unfortunately we've come to expect by now.

    Clearly there was a lot more creative vision here than we're used to seeing, but was executed horrifically. But of course since everyone eats these games up every time, they will likely never improve. Truly a shame, as with a little more development time, fine tuning and optimisation these could have been phenomenal entries.    … Expand
  14. AnanasEsel
    Nov 22, 2022
    10
    One of the best Games ever ignore the Dumb Haters.
    Good Overworld,Good Story,Good PVP.
  15. MHuggler
    Nov 19, 2022
    0
    This game doesn’t have subtitles or dubbing in Brazilian Portuguese. Also the game has many bugs at lunch.
  16. lonsde
    Nov 19, 2022
    0
    Pokemon fans really have to play other games to understand how **** games they have been playing for a decade. They are really worse than sonic fans
  17. Clashi
    Nov 19, 2022
    0
    Stuttering unplayable mess, do yourself a favor and skip this game in it's entirety.
  18. SeigneurDieu2
    Nov 19, 2022
    1
    Beaucoup trop facile et les fps on vraiment du mal et les graphiques aie aie aie
  19. Godam
    Nov 19, 2022
    0
    Graphics are better than PS2 games
    Full of bugs and unplayable
    Open world doesn't mesh with Pokemon
    New Pokémon don't appeal to me
  20. Redlock
    Nov 19, 2022
    0
    Most unfunny pokemon game ever created, despite of bugs and frame rate. Shame on GF.
  21. Cocosaurio
    Nov 19, 2022
    1
    A 1 is being very forgiving, customization options are lacking, textures are embarassing and performance is not up to the full price we all paid with real and hard earned money
  22. Galiansias
    Nov 20, 2022
    1
    I've bought every game in the series since Pokemon Red/Blue and it's an absolute SHAME how Gamefreak has left by the wayside year after year, the desire to live up to their flagship franchise, Pokemon.

    Nintendo Switch has shown potential as a console with games like Zelda, Metroid or Xenogears, and yet with Pokemon Scarlet/Violet it feels like a game from 15 years ago, being generous.    I've bought every game in the series since Pokemon Red/Blue and it's an absolute SHAME how Gamefreak has left by the wayside year after year, the desire to live up to their flagship franchise, Pokemon.

    Nintendo Switch has shown potential as a console with games like Zelda, Metroid or Xenogears, and yet with Pokemon Scarlet/Violet it feels like a game from 15 years ago, being generous.

    Not to mention the bugs, glitches, popping, lack of animation, and total disinterest of the developer to pamper their game and appreciate their fans.

    Disappointing at all levels. I hope that top executives of the company leave the company on their own after this insult to the saga and the fans.    … Expand
  23. Lucifer45
    Nov 25, 2022
    0
    The worst performing game ever made. A shameful chapter for the Pokemon history
  24. DD3vourer
    Nov 20, 2022
    3
    While the core gameplay is fun, and *some* innovation from Legends Arceus came through, the game is so fundamentally broken on a technical level that it is impossible to give anything above a 3/10.

    So many features were cut from previous instalments that opens up questions regarding Game Freak's intentions; do they want players to enjoy themselves or feel frustrated? As is with every    While the core gameplay is fun, and *some* innovation from Legends Arceus came through, the game is so fundamentally broken on a technical level that it is impossible to give anything above a 3/10.

    So many features were cut from previous instalments that opens up questions regarding Game Freak's intentions; do they want players to enjoy themselves or feel frustrated?

    As is with every mainline Pokemon game, there is a 1 step forward, 3 steps back rule. The over-world catching and combat is great, but there are no Shiny sound effects. The models are minuscule (the smallest of the Pokemon are neigh invisible which makes it incredibly frustrating). For some reason the Set/Switch option was taken out of the game. Still no sign of a quick-EV training minigame such as the ones from X/Y. So many quality of life features are missing, with little to nothing to show for it.

    The over-world size is as expected of an open world game, but what isn't expected is the poor graphical fidelity of it, as well as nearly every other aspect of the game, besides the Pokemon themselves, which seem to have gotten model refreshes. The most striking ones are the metallic Pokemon, such as the Pawniard line, which have a shiny metallic finish which really gives it an extra oomph. The rest of the game looks like a poor Playstation 2 era port of a game.

    There are so many glitches, bugs and micro (as well as macro!) stutters. Overall, the game does not achieve 30 FPS at any given moment, at least not in my case. There is constant popping, light and shadows completely breaking and stuttering, clipping through terrain and objects, entire cities blacking out, deleting and then reappearing in the span of 3 seconds, horrible FPS drops and stutters whenever Pokemon spawn, or, lord forbid, you enter a city. Seriously, city proximity turns the game into a slideshow.

    Over half of the Pokedex has once again been cut out of the base game and I have no doubts they will once again sell you bits and pieces of it through a paid DLC. Horrible practice, especially for a €60 first-party Nintendo game.

    Game Freak needs major restructuring. Whether it's more development time, more staff, or a complete work environment overhaul; something needs to change. A $90 billion franchise cannot allow itself to treat their mainline games in this manner. Not only are there massive cuts in the content of each subsequent games, the games are releasing more broken than ever. The visuals aren't just outdated, they are antiquated. Either all of the issues need to be addressed, or Game Freak needs to stop charging €60 for broken, unfinished games. Charge it like every other developer releasing what is clearly an Early Access game, a nice and fair €20.

    This is unacceptable, and Game Freak should feel nothing but shame for this product release.    … Expand
  25. deBoer
    Nov 25, 2022
    0
    Terrible gameplay, sometimes it has less than 30 fps, everything you do it's boring
  26. Jelly_Yeen
    Nov 19, 2022
    2
    I was so excited for these games to come out but once I started playing I noticed a lot of issues with the game. First the framerate is all over the place. Second the map will just disappear and you could fall through it or have it break immersion and the camera is awful. Third there are many issues with the character models and issues with the Pokémon. Also they don’t explain that youI was so excited for these games to come out but once I started playing I noticed a lot of issues with the game. First the framerate is all over the place. Second the map will just disappear and you could fall through it or have it break immersion and the camera is awful. Third there are many issues with the character models and issues with the Pokémon. Also they don’t explain that you actually need to battle gyms first pretty much because your Pokémon will not listen to you after a certain level so if you wanted to complete the other two stories first good luck. The open world also doesn’t feel right with trainers being scattered around and there isn’t many of them. Also the Pokémon pop in out of nowhere and they are tiny. You could be running and have a random Pokémon spawn under you or walk into you and you won’t even see it. The battle system also feels stale and broken after playing Legends Arceus. This game lacks polish and needed a few more months and some play testing. I wouldn’t recommend it at all until they patch the game to a point where it’s playable.… Expand
  27. wynat
    Nov 27, 2022
    9
    I've played every mainline pokemon game. This is the most buggy, but it is also the most fun. Honestly, if the graphics and performance were good, this game would have everything. As it is, I'm giving it a 9 to offset some of the review-bombing, but I'd say it deserves a 7.5, maybe an 8.
  28. Julian2809
    Nov 19, 2022
    1
    El juego tiene un rendimiento malísimo, por muy divertido que sea salir a explorar el mundo. El juego se cae a trozos y arruina por completo la experiencia del juego.
  29. Joduodecter
    Nov 20, 2022
    3
    Han conseguido qué los pases qué se forjaron en Pokémon Leyendas Arceus y qué tanto gustaron sean emborronados por un gameplay plagado de bugs y ni si quiera han mantenido todas esas mejoras que Leyendas Arceus qué tanto gustaron y fueron aplaudidas.

    Es el peor juego de Pokémon qué existe a día de hoy.
  30. Bludnika
    Nov 20, 2022
    2
    *Cyberpunk 2077 theme starts playing*
    15 fps, lags, awful graphics. But gameplay is good.
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Awards & Rankings

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#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.
    Read full review
  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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