Pokemon Shield

 Switch
User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 3465 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,154 out of 3465
  2. Mixed: 587 out of 3465
  3. Negative: 1,724 out of 3465
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. BrownKnight
    Jul 15, 2021
    5
    This game is just a disappointment, I'm genuinely sad this is the direction Pokémon is going. This game had so much potential on a much more powerful consolle but it's all wasted. The cause can be summed up just with one concept: laziness. Most of the things they put in was rushed, half-finished, it looks like they don't even care anymore. This game should cost 30 $ AT BEST, it's surelyThis game is just a disappointment, I'm genuinely sad this is the direction Pokémon is going. This game had so much potential on a much more powerful consolle but it's all wasted. The cause can be summed up just with one concept: laziness. Most of the things they put in was rushed, half-finished, it looks like they don't even care anymore. This game should cost 30 $ AT BEST, it's surely not worth 60. Too bad, if they go on like this the franchise is doomed.… Expand
  2. jsharkey621
    Aug 13, 2020
    5
    Simply put, Pokemon Sword and Shield can best be described as phoned in games that take one step forward and 3 steps back for the Pokemon series.

    The Bad: When Gamefreak said they were cutting down the number of available of Pokemon in the game in order to improve the models and animations I was hopeful that we would finally get a main game that had animation quality equal to or    Simply put, Pokemon Sword and Shield can best be described as phoned in games that take one step forward and 3 steps back for the Pokemon series.

    The Bad: When Gamefreak said they were cutting down the number of available of Pokemon in the game in order to improve the models and animations I was hopeful that we would finally get a main game that had animation quality equal to or surpassing games like Battle Revolution (a Wii game from 2006). Instead we get terrible animations where barring signature moves, most Pokemon have a single unique animation or just hop in place to attack and which one they use seems incredibly arbitrary and can lead to comically awful results like pokemon doing a kicking animation for a charging or punching attack and just hopping in place for kicking attacks. In addition, many of the idle animations seem lifeless. In a game that’s main gameplay loop revolves around battles, this is unacceptably bad. Another aspect where this game fails is the content. The routes in this game are incredibly short and linear compared to previous generations and offer no ability or incentive to explore since there are no optional routes and only one item that allows you to explore additional areas that is used in 1 route you can backtrack to. There’s also almost no endgame since the only things you unlock after the endgame are stupidly rare gigantamax raids and the Battle Tower. There are no new routes or optional legendaries to explore/find. Compounding this, all of the towns are small and offer no fun activities to do outside of checking out new clothing options in towns that have boutiques. There are only two “mini-quests” in the game that both occur in the same town. Where are series staples like the safari zone, arcades, and contests? As is you basically just go from town to town to complete the main story and then have nothing to do but grind out max raid battles and the Battle Tower. Finally, why did they remove QoL features like super training for easy EV training? Instead you have to put your Pokemon on jobs in your PC and then can’t use them until the job is done.

    Finally, the online features are abysmal. Playing online in the Wild Area makes your game lag like crazy. They also removed the ability for you to search for online trades based on what you want and then see what others want in turn or vice versa, and instead force you to post a public trade offer and hope that whoever decides to take your offer has what you want... when there’s no in-game chat so you can say what you want. Finally, they didn’t put a refresh button for event cards so half the time you try to join someone else’s raids you discover they already have a full party or started the raid already.

    The Good: I like a lot of the designs for this gen (which is admittedly entirely subjective). I love new mons like Appletun and Corviknight. Also, certain QoL features like being able to transfer egg moves between breeding partners are really convenient. Finally, the Wild Area is a (small, unpolished) step in the right direction for what the series can hopefully become.    … Expand
  3. ND-Bringer
    Nov 11, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pokemon Sword and Shield is perhaps the most controversial game of Generation 8. I remember hating this game during my first play through back in high school. With its overpriced DLC and its lackluster post game content. But while taking a look back before the release of Scarlet and Violet, some positive memories came flooding back to me.

    And with more critical eye, I can tribute the moments I did really enjoy all those years ago. Because when you take a moment to ignore the overpriced DLC, as a stand alone game, it's actually quite enjoyable. Let's take look into one of Game Freak's ultimate mixed bags.

    The game starts off with you and your best friend Hop obtaining your Galarian Starters from the Champion himself, Leon. Who decides to endorse your Gym Challenge, hoping to meet worthy opponents in the future. The Gym Leader challenge has returned, now paired with a "Sporting Event" theme. With Galar's design heavily based off of Great Britain, it makes sense to throw the country's love for sports in the mix.

    And while not every Gym Battle is a winner, hearing that roar from the stadium took me back to the days I watched Ash Ketchum compete in the Pokemon League. The closest games to create that effect were the Pokemon Stadium games and it's great to play a core-series game that creates the same effect.

    And to add to the flavor, trainers can now Dynamax their Pokemon and transform them into giants. Increasing their HP drastically and giving them the ability to use powerful new Max Moves to crush opponents into dust. Some Pokemon even have the ability to change their form and Gigantamax, allowing them to use powerful signature Max Moves and show off a Kaiju inspired appearance.

    The only thing standing in the way of my enjoyment is the story. Which isn't as bad and yet somehow just as bad as I remember in multiple portions of the game. Problem number one, Hop, the Master of None.

    While not as pathetic as the X and Y rivals, Hop doesn't build a decent Pokemon team until the post game. And is entire character can be summed up as unfocused. He's really positive like Hau but also pretty bland like most of the Gender-Swap Rivals. And at the end of the post game when he decides to become a Professor, I'm simply confused. Enter the Pokemon Hall of Shame on your right.

    Whenever the story annoyed me, I went to to explore the wild area. A large world designed for those who love to capture Pokemon. At the surface it's really fun to explore. You get to find rare items, high leveled monsters, gorgeous lakes to surf on...it's everything you would want out of long Pokemon level. Hiking through this open world is incredibly relaxing, it's a grand mechanic that several Switch games are aiming for these days. It doesn't feel like you're exploring Galar anymore, it feels like you're exploring the world of Pokemon itself.

    Their's one fatal problem with this set up, some Pokemon are exclusive to the wild area. Making Pokedex completion an eyesore since some Pokemon will only appear once per week...half of the time. I'm not joking when I say it took me two real life weeks to build my original ultimate Pokemon team, because certain members couldn't be found in the wild area yet.

    It's not that there are no decent Pokemon to capture in the main game routes, but it's really annoying that the game will only allow certain Pokemon of the week to appear. It's bad enough that Gamefreak had to remove several Pokemon and moves in order to make room for this new content. But it's outright scummy to make some of those rejected Pokemon obtainable through overpriced DLC.

    And as for the adventure itself, it's still enjoyable. Rising from the ranks of the Gym Challenge tournament aiming to dethrone Leon. But the game gets unbelievably easy after the fifth gym. Version exclusives mean nothing to me, Rock Types and Ice Types are not difficult to defeat.

    The villains of this game are a huge let down as well. With Chairman Rose being a weak twist villain with a pathetic Steel-Type Team to match. His plan is to use the Legendary Pokemon as an energy source, he just needed a master trainer to control it. And while Leon did say he would comply and battle Eternatus after the tournament, the Chairman proceeds without him, due to his inability to wait one day.

    And then theirs Sordward and Shielbert...who are perhaps the most annoying villains in the entire Pokémon franchise. They have all the most annoying quirks. Ex Machina fleeing powers, an army of evil NPCs, boring Pokemon teams. And if you want the new staple legendary Pokemon on your team, you have to complete a post game challenge where Sonia mentions her new assistant, who has no name.

    So in conclusion, the game gets annoying half way through. It reminds a lot of Skylanders Trap Team. A game with really fun new gameplay mechanics, a predictable story, overpriced extra content, and a bunch fun boss battles mixed in with pathetic ones.    … Expand
  4. LordJazbin
    Apr 19, 2021
    5
    I think there's too much hate around them, Sword and Shield are definitely not bad games... But after Sun and Moon that was great... This is just: disappointing. In every way. And even worse than XY.

    Good part is: Pokémon designs and music. But in terms of the story is one of the worse, difficulty is really bad, game is dull...
  5. Pnwotter
    Apr 19, 2021
    5
    I have been a long-standing pokemon fan and the degredation of the series is really starting to get tiring and sad. This game is playable but hardly much fun. I spent 30 hours on it and finished all the main fame and the tiny bit of postgame content, then paid for the DLC and finished that in 10 hours. The DLC is way wayyyy more fun than anything in the main game. The DLC should not makeI have been a long-standing pokemon fan and the degredation of the series is really starting to get tiring and sad. This game is playable but hardly much fun. I spent 30 hours on it and finished all the main fame and the tiny bit of postgame content, then paid for the DLC and finished that in 10 hours. The DLC is way wayyyy more fun than anything in the main game. The DLC should not make the total game cost 90$ though. Absolutely not worth the money.

    Performance and presentation-wise there is such a mixed bag in this game- some areas are really pretty, some are and interesting and fun- but then a majority of it is poorly textured and the pop-in of the pokemon in wild areas, especially in the DLC is massive in its immersion-breaking and made me put down the game multiple times because it was so jarring. The storyline is bland and the game doesn’t stop holding your hand, it has not even 1/2 the depth and lore of earlier games like Gold/Silver or Diamond/Pearl. I found myself also uninterested in any of the lore put in this game because its breezed over so quickly and is only used as a plot device to bring you to the next gym. None of the characters are memorable and they don’t have any complexity to them.

    The raid-battles and gigantamax mechanics DID add some interesting and fun changes to battles, but not enough to save the very poorly written story and dialogue. I wanted so much more for this game and got a “meh” experience.    … Expand
  6. Bearoo
    Aug 18, 2021
    5
    Rather mixed feelings regarding Pokemon Shield and Sword. The game seems rather lazy with it's design. No new animation for battles, not all Pokemon are available and the Dynamax... not really an innovative idea. I much more prefer mega evolutions from back in the day.
  7. grimreapersims
    Nov 1, 2021
    7
    ....................................................................................................................................................................................................blank
  8. Hkeitz323
    Nov 8, 2022
    5
    Pros:
    - A myriad of well-designed pokemon
    - Really cool gym leaders - Added a lot of cool features (accessing the PC from the menu, G-max) - Easy-to-access online features Cons: - Game has horrible pacing, and shoves in the entire plot at the very end of the story - Can't transfer pokemon without a pay wall (pokemon home) - Is way too short for a $60 game - No difficulty and no    Pros:
    - A myriad of well-designed pokemon
    - Really cool gym leaders
    - Added a lot of cool features (accessing the PC from the menu, G-max)
    - Easy-to-access online features

    Cons:
    - Game has horrible pacing, and shoves in the entire plot at the very end of the story
    - Can't transfer pokemon without a pay wall (pokemon home)
    - Is way too short for a $60 game
    - No difficulty and no postgame
    - The game feels unfinished at some parts, with the Wild Area specifically being very buggy
    - Extra content is locked behind payed DLC, which is an extra $60    … Expand
  9. kems
    Oct 29, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Historia 5
    Historia sencilla, predecible, sin mayor complejidad. Después de la 6ta medalla se vuelve excesivamente acelerada, muy probablemente por los tiempos de desarrollo. Mediocre inclusive para lo que se espera de un Pokémon.
    Desarrollo 8
    El desarrollo del juego es bueno, sin muchos altibajos. El momento más débil es justamente la parte final, donde más debía relucir, quitándole mérito a un avance con un buen ritmo la mayor parte del juego. El cambio en los gimnasios es bastante positivo, el torneo que reemplazó el Alto Mando pudo haber sido bueno, pero fue muy soso.
    Personajes 9
    Cada personaje secundario que acompaña la historia tiene su carisma, personalidad y desarrollo armonioso Lo más débil son los personajes principales y el team Yell, que podría no estar y de hecho mejoraría.
    Diseños 8
    En cuanto a personajes, nuevamente son sobresalientes sus diseños, todos menos los protagonistas. En cuánto a los nuevos Pokémon, son los mejores en mucho tiempo, ya sea por su apariencia final o por el concepto que está detrás de éstos, teniendo en su gran mayoría una gran armonía; son muy pocos los casos donde haya un pokemon genérico o con un concepto débil detrás. El diseño del mapa es pobre, donde al salir de la Wild Area, las rutas son básicamente pasillos que conectan a la próxima ciudad.
    Gameplay 9
    Los cambios en gameplay que apuntan a modernizar mecánicas que ya hace tiempo se sentían antiguas es bienvenida. El fin de los encuentros aleatorios, el wild area, los raids (que pudieron ser más difíciles, pero es una buena adición), la mayor accesibilidad para la crianza. El core gameplay se mantiene igual que siempre, pero sigue siendo efectivo y cuenta con agregados atractivos.
    Duración 9
    El juego es tan largo como quieras que sea, pudiendo ser bastante extenso si te gusta explorar y ser completista al 100% o cazar shinies y criar Pokémon perfectos. A pesar de ello, luego de cierto punto se hace evidente que tuvieron que lanzar el juego antes de terminar todo lo que tenían planeado.
    Postgame 3
    Patético. Únicamente en su evento final hay algo bueno. Terminado ese pésimo postgame, existe un frente de batalla que pese a ser simplón, se agradece su adición.
    Gráficos 5
    Las gráficas de los Pokémon y los personajes está bastante bien, pero desentona con el pésimo apartado gráfico y texturas del resto de los elementos, principalmente el wild área donde algunas texturas a plena vista recuerdan los tiempos del N64.
    Música 9
    Banda sonora bastante cumplidora. Algunos temas a veces se sienten genéricos o fuera de lugae, pero en general cumplen bien, con buenos temas y buena implementación de éstos. Sin estar al nivel de otras IP donde es realmente sobresaliente, cumple en totalidad su cometido.
    Sonido 6
    En contraste con unos temas que acompañan bien al juego, se encuentra el tema sonoro, donde la mayor deficiencia es la falta de voice acting. Mientras el juego era portátil, jamás se sentía necesario contar con uno, pero al dar el salto a una consola de sobremesa, pide a gritos el haber tenido. Desde que inicias el juego, la intro que intenta ser épica, se cae sola al ver un estadio repleto con el presidente Rose anunciando a gritos lo que nos encontraremos, mientras mueve la boca sin emitir sonido.
    Performance 2
    Todo el apartado técnico es lo más deficiente del juego, se vio en la parte gráfica y sonora, pero también en ciertos tiempos de carga, como en el online. Si intentas hacer algo online, lo más recomendable es quedarse parado esperando a conectar. porque el framedrop es severo, especialmente en el wild área. Incluso si no te interesa el online, el pop up es increíble. Los personajes, los árboles y los Pokémon, prácticamente te saltan en la cara, más aún si vas en bicicleta. Faltó tiempo de otimización.
    Multijugador 9
    El multiplayer y el online es un aspecto muy fuerte en Pokémon, de lo más positivo y da para jugar cientas y cientas de horas. Queda al debe la falta de personalización al no poder buscar intercambios y depender de la suerte del jugador que te encuentres o tener que coordinarte con alguien mediante otro medio previamente.

    Valoración final 7
    La experiencia se nota muy recortada, pero a la vez es disfrutable. Finalmente la sensación que deja es agridulce, siendo el mejor de la saga en muchos aspectos y el más deficiente en otros muchos. Queda la sensación de ser una oportunidad desaprovechada, donde teniendo el cuidado que se merecía, pudo haber sido de los mejores de la franquicia.
    Finalmente, siendo fan de Pokémon hace más de 20 años, debo decir que una vez más me atrapó sin soltarme, pero queda claro que el enfoque es sacar el juego más recortado posible que permita ser funcional para continuar exprimiento la franquicia al menor costo.    … Expand
  10. denisferro
    Nov 16, 2021
    5
    Nada nesse jogo funcionou direito...
    Acredito que as únicas coisas de positivo são as batalhas (inclusive online) que ficaram ótimas, a wild area que dá um gostinho de mundo semi-aberto e a trilha sonora que é ESPETACULAR.
    De resto, é tudo muito fraco... História contada de forma totalmente horrível... Após a metade é percebe-se que é tudo rushado.. Graficamente tem hora que é bonito    Nada nesse jogo funcionou direito...
    Acredito que as únicas coisas de positivo são as batalhas (inclusive online) que ficaram ótimas, a wild area que dá um gostinho de mundo semi-aberto e a trilha sonora que é ESPETACULAR.
    De resto, é tudo muito fraco...
    História contada de forma totalmente horrível... Após a metade é percebe-se que é tudo rushado..
    Graficamente tem hora que é bonito até, e tem hora que é simplesmente terrível...
    Um game que tinha um enorme potencial e acabou sendo um total fracasso em termo de qualidade...    … Expand
  11. BADxPENY
    Sep 19, 2021
    7
    I would like to give this a higher rating, But there are some parts of the game that just dont work. One is if you can only use one uniform in gym battles the whole game, what is that point in obtaining new gym suits? its is a waste of time to change into a suit you have no control over, when in the tv show they wear what ever they want!
  12. carlosplays
    Nov 6, 2021
    7
    Pokemon games follow a standard formula and this one was no different. I was surprised how easy the game was though...despite not being quite familiar with the new Pokemon after skipping generations it was still a breeze and the game felt a little on the shorter side. Still it wasn't bad at all. It's definitely not a bad game to spend a week or two with if you grind through. I kept puttingPokemon games follow a standard formula and this one was no different. I was surprised how easy the game was though...despite not being quite familiar with the new Pokemon after skipping generations it was still a breeze and the game felt a little on the shorter side. Still it wasn't bad at all. It's definitely not a bad game to spend a week or two with if you grind through. I kept putting it down and then forcing myself to finish it and then I finally did without too much fanfare.… Expand
  13. Parco8
    Mar 5, 2022
    7
    This is a great Pokémon game. I don't care about the missing Pokémon. The bad critics are only caused because of the bad answer Game Freak gave about the Dex cut. It is a thing they would have done someday. The story is linear, a sufficiency without any problems. Designs and musics are perfect, those are things Game Freak never made a mistake about. Besides that, the short time theThis is a great Pokémon game. I don't care about the missing Pokémon. The bad critics are only caused because of the bad answer Game Freak gave about the Dex cut. It is a thing they would have done someday. The story is linear, a sufficiency without any problems. Designs and musics are perfect, those are things Game Freak never made a mistake about. Besides that, the short time the developers have for making these games are the main reason why it shows big criticisims. At the end of the game it slowly loses originality like they didn't have enough time to think exciting challenges to put at the end. Single player endgame's kind of absent, too. It can't be less then a 7 for me by the way.… Expand
  14. gameing
    Aug 16, 2021
    5
    Pros: its Pokémon
    Cons: its Pokémon
    Its a very flawed experience however it is still fun at the end of the day.
  15. Luche
    Aug 14, 2021
    5
    Este fue el primer juego que terminé en la Switch (y será mi primera review en la web), lo adquirí junto con la consola y era de los que me incluía la compra de segunda mano, así que no tenía muchas expectativas y tras muchos años fuera del mundo de las consolas me dejó bastante frío. Me pareció excesivamente sencillo, no es que esto fuera un problema si no fuese porque no sentí que meEste fue el primer juego que terminé en la Switch (y será mi primera review en la web), lo adquirí junto con la consola y era de los que me incluía la compra de segunda mano, así que no tenía muchas expectativas y tras muchos años fuera del mundo de las consolas me dejó bastante frío. Me pareció excesivamente sencillo, no es que esto fuera un problema si no fuese porque no sentí que me plantease ningún tipo de desafío. El uso de los tipos de pokemon es casi irrelevante, no tuve que modificar mi equipo durante todo el juego salvo una vez para el gimnasio de hielo. Mi recuerdo de los pokemon de antaño no era excesivamente complejo pero si planteaba desafíos no ya en las batallas en sí, si no en ciertos momentos del juego como aquella cueva tras el primer gimnasio en el rojo/azul.
    Es destacable que hay elementos que parecen señalar un camino muy interesante para la saga (que quizás culminen en el Arceus) como el área silvestre o las pruebas de gimnasio, personalmente el Dinamax no me entusiasmó pero es otro elemento a explotar. Pero ambos elementos se sentían en una fase beta, sin explotar completamente, quizás en el caso de las pruebas de gimnasio precisamente por su escasa dificultad.

    La parte gráfica no me decepcionó tanto como he visto por aquí, personalmente el juego lo vi bonito, no soy un experto en este aspecto y pienso que no soy muy exigente pero puedo decir que me agradó.

    En conclusión, el juego me dejó un poco frío y sin interés en rejugarlo o probar las expansiones y un poco decepcionado con mi recuerdo de infancia, y desilusionado con próximas entregas. Espero que sea de alguna utilidad pese a que ya hay tropocientas críticas del juego.

    Saludos!    … Expand
  16. BoopWalks
    Sep 5, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Its alright?
    the game has some elements of greatness - dynamaxing being a much better system than the past two power-up gimmicks (Mega's being restricted to only 48 pokemon, z moves just being one-hit ko buttons). Dynamaxing has great side effects that come with its moves, which change how you look at battling - do you use max overgrowth for its healing side effects? Or do you use max knuckle to raise your attack? A game where all pokemon can power up is great, and the pokemon's stats do not change - no absurd base 180 dragon ascents or insane "Light that burns the sky" here.

    The rival's are mixed - Bede is your typical rival like Silver, or Blue, who is out to be better than you, who has this snobbish attitude. He often tests you, blaming his defeat on stupid excuses, obviously acting like a spoilt child. Which is not a bad thing - whenever you see bede, you want to beat his team. However, he is not the games main rival, and dissapears between gyms 4 and the game's end.

    Your main rival Hop, starts off as your typical friendly rival, similar to Hau or Bianca, until his confidence is effected, and he begins to doubt himself. This doubt could have gone somewhere, but ends up with Hop cheering up after 1 or 2 more gym badges, going back to normal. His sudden announcement that he wants to help at the pokemon centre comes out of nowhere, and should have been developed more. Your final rival is Marnie, who is just a throwaway character. They're just there to be "cute", and don't show much emotion at all.

    The evil team is probably the worst. They're just a group of fans. There's no evil organisation which is a mafia that steals pokemon like team rocket. They don't match the morally grey team plasma, or just the deviant team skull. They're just ugly-looking fans, who never cause that much trouble. The other evil team in this game, Macro Cosmos, are drived by the dumbest plot. "Energy will run out in 1000 years so lets resummon a pokemon warned about in ancient times!". Stupid.

    Animations are reused from the 3ds games. Not many old moves look better. Blastoise still shoots water out of his head.

    The game's story is feeble, it's routes are not expansive, but some of the environments are rather nice looking - like the slumbering weald, or glimwood tangle. The best thing about the game compared to its predeccessors is the gym challenge, and how it feels like a sport, not fighting in a room with 2 or 3 other trainers watching.

    The national dex cut was pretty annoying also. But the game introduced a lot of items competitive players welcomed - nature mints and heavy duty boots for example.

    The game is ok if you like it for battling or whatever    … Expand
  17. Raftalos
    Sep 26, 2021
    5
    The game has no reason for being this ugly, it looks like an upscaled 3ds game. The innovation is minimal, mostly just some generational gimmicks as usual. It's still a pokemon game and there are some cool new ones so I wouldn't give it below 5, but if you want better pokemon games, don't buy this one.
  18. ChristianBentro
    Oct 20, 2021
    7
    Is a great looking game compared to 3DS titles. Falls short on the story but makes up for it in the environment. I would have liked to have seen more animations, seemed as though they used upscaled 3DS models. The DLC was very good and added some much needed story elements.
  19. Herbalmouse1305
    May 29, 2022
    6
    this is a pokemon game

    plain and simple, if that statement does not appeal to you, please god dont buy this game. luckily it does appeal to me, and i mustered quite a bit of fun out of this. not enough to get the dlc tho. Btw dexit is fine, it was inevitable. their excuse kinda sucked, as this game doesnt look too good, but with PLA and Sc/Vi it looks like the smaller scope is    this is a pokemon game

    plain and simple, if that statement does not appeal to you, please god dont buy this game.
    luckily it does appeal to me, and i mustered quite a bit of fun out of this. not enough to get the dlc tho.
    Btw
    dexit is fine, it was inevitable. their excuse kinda sucked, as this game doesnt look too good, but with PLA and Sc/Vi it looks like the smaller scope is starting to pay off    … Expand
  20. sunny_rip
    Feb 5, 2022
    7
    Pokémon Sword and Shield are alright games in the series, I feel like they deserve more credit, but as time goes on, I'm more willing to point out it's flaws.

    Pros: -Really high quality batch of new Pokémon. -Stunning looking towns and cities. -(With the DLC) you get a lot of content and ways to play online. -Competitive Battling is incredibly accessible and easy to get into. -Cool    Pokémon Sword and Shield are alright games in the series, I feel like they deserve more credit, but as time goes on, I'm more willing to point out it's flaws.

    Pros:
    -Really high quality batch of new Pokémon.
    -Stunning looking towns and cities.
    -(With the DLC) you get a lot of content and ways to play online.
    -Competitive Battling is incredibly accessible and easy to get into.
    -Cool characters with some really nice designs.
    -Dynamax and Gigantamax are fun.
    -Z Moves are removed.

    Cons:
    -Wild Area graphics can look kinda rough sometimes
    -The story isn't that good.
    -Some evolution methods are incredibly annoying.
    -If you don't get the DLC, then there isn't much to do in the post game.
    -Removes Mega Evolution.
    -Some Pokémon are very hard to obtain.    … Expand
  21. PokeMaester
    Nov 22, 2021
    7
    I absolutely love this remake, opening the game gave me goosebumps and playing it gives me flashbacks of playing this game with groups of friends in high school. So many fond memories. However I only have 1 real complaint which took away quite a bit of my personal rating which are the flash animations that pokemon make during an attack even when animations are shut off. Normally theseI absolutely love this remake, opening the game gave me goosebumps and playing it gives me flashbacks of playing this game with groups of friends in high school. So many fond memories. However I only have 1 real complaint which took away quite a bit of my personal rating which are the flash animations that pokemon make during an attack even when animations are shut off. Normally these flashes do nothing to me; I can't say the same for others. But for me, if I'm in a Team Galactic fight the flashes can trigger seizure auras. I remember pokemon would blink in the DS version; in this one the moves make brilliant tiny flashes. I quickly took some medication before it got serious, but it would be very nice to be able to shut the flashes off and I would give it a 10.… Expand
  22. FullFeeder
    Jan 26, 2022
    5
    Amazing game, overall a fantastic addition to the franchise, even though graphic wise it's average at best.
  23. albegres
    Feb 5, 2022
    7
    70/100
    If you're into competitive Pokémon battles, this is one of the best in the series! If you're not, this game has a boring story, even more than the previous games. Artstyle and music good as always. Story and graphic are terrible, sadly.
  24. SIRBIGWELD
    Mar 8, 2022
    5
    Pokemon Sword and Shield are very lazy, uninteresting games. Whereas previous pokemon games specifically the DS era had significant charm and plenty of content, these games lack miserably in both regards. With very limited post-game content and the most flaccid graphics ever produced, they are just unpleasant to look at and have no semblance of an interesting story to give you a reason toPokemon Sword and Shield are very lazy, uninteresting games. Whereas previous pokemon games specifically the DS era had significant charm and plenty of content, these games lack miserably in both regards. With very limited post-game content and the most flaccid graphics ever produced, they are just unpleasant to look at and have no semblance of an interesting story to give you a reason to look. Battle timers for online battling are still a major issue, and the lack of many pokemon from previous games is disappointing. DLC feels like it made up for what should have been in the games, to begin with. They are still pokemon games, however, and there is some fun to be had, it's nice to have a legitimate online ladder and competitions from time to time. New pokemon designs are a very mixed bag, generally on the worse side. Dynamax is a generally unpleasant gimmick. The game is laughably easy. The two strong points in the game are the wild area, which definitely could be improved, and the fantastic soundtrack, as is the case in most pokemon games.… Expand
  25. Ventuski
    Apr 6, 2022
    7
    First Pokemon game I've played since Gold on GBC. Probably a timid entry regarding the changes they wanted to introduce in this console generation, specially after playing Legends Arceus. The main story felt short and the post game was ackward story wise. Still a enjoyable Pokemon journey.
  26. VincentKirby
    Jul 9, 2022
    5
    This game is lazy af and we know Game Freak can do better than this. Also the absence of the National Dex is sad to see and the game looks flipping hideous
  27. FireBroFilms
    Aug 15, 2022
    5
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  28. Derpcat
    Dec 6, 2022
    5
    I haven't played many Pokemon games. Before this, only Diamond. But this game was the reason I bought a Switch. I thought it would be great! But, as you can see, I didn't love it so much. Why? Isn't a Pokemon game a Pokemon game, at heart?

    The story-where to begin? They highlighted gyms, even though they were gone for, like, 4 years. Whatever. This chairman guy sees potential in you,    I haven't played many Pokemon games. Before this, only Diamond. But this game was the reason I bought a Switch. I thought it would be great! But, as you can see, I didn't love it so much. Why? Isn't a Pokemon game a Pokemon game, at heart?

    The story-where to begin? They highlighted gyms, even though they were gone for, like, 4 years. Whatever. This chairman guy sees potential in you, and same as the champion. So you join the Pokemon league. Oh boy! Pokemon games always have at least satisfactory stories, but this one makes no sense.

    Pokemon games play very similarly. Don't fix something that isn't broken, right? Well, it gets stale. These games have become more and more linear, and you don't get to do decide your fate... at all. It becomes very, very, VERY boring. There is an open-world area called the wild area. I think that it is the predecessor to Legends: Arceus or Scarlet & Violet. But it's just so worn in and small. 6/10 gameplay. Way too boring.

    The presentation isn't great. It doesn't load that well. If you're expecting a game that looks good and runs well, like Super Mario Odyssey, don't be surprised if it's not what you want. It doesn't load that well, look good, and runs at 30 fps. The music is pretty good, though. Toby Fox composed a song. 7/10 presentation. Nothing to say.

    It's content is a bit light. The main adventure is too easy, and takes 10 hours. The post-game takes about 5 hours. Then you can "Catch Em All!" and shiny hunt. Yeah, this should be a 40 dollar game. Captain Toad Treasure Tracker cost that much. I didn't play it, but I hear it has a lot of content. 6/10 content.

    It is way too linear, and what was good in it is way too worn in. I don't get why Scarlet & Violet has a lower user score. It is ambitious, big, and creative. Gen 8 was pretty good, but this game wasn't. I'm sorry, everyone in the U.K.    … Expand
  29. baja_dan
    Oct 27, 2022
    6
    A solid entry in the franchise mixed with a few new ideas. I enjoyed the online play and battling my friends from across the world. The new "open" areas were interesting, but felt like they could have benefitted from some more polish. I noticed some frame-rate issues and a few bugs during my 200hr playthrough. I've been a fan of the series since the red/blue/yellow days, but I stoppedA solid entry in the franchise mixed with a few new ideas. I enjoyed the online play and battling my friends from across the world. The new "open" areas were interesting, but felt like they could have benefitted from some more polish. I noticed some frame-rate issues and a few bugs during my 200hr playthrough. I've been a fan of the series since the red/blue/yellow days, but I stopped playing the series during the DS run due to fatigue and how the Pokemon Company hadn't really strayed from it's basic formula. I think that helped me view this entry with a fresher set of eyes overall.… Expand
  30. saplign
    Feb 2, 2023
    5
    ‎this one is definetly a 5 out of 10‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
  31. Spington
    Nov 20, 2019
    6
    Let's just get this out of the way real quick. Pokemon Sword and Shield are NOT 0/10s. While Pokemon Sword and Shield aren't perfect, they also don't deserve that unfair rating.
    The graphics in Pokemon Shield are a hit or miss to be honest. Sometimes they look really good, and other times they look pretty shaky. But overall, I will say the game does look...nice. Not fantastic,    Let's just get this out of the way real quick. Pokemon Sword and Shield are NOT 0/10s. While Pokemon Sword and Shield aren't perfect, they also don't deserve that unfair rating.
    The graphics in Pokemon Shield are a hit or miss to be honest. Sometimes they look really good, and other times they look pretty shaky. But overall, I will say the game does look...nice. Not fantastic, just...nice. I'd give the graphics a 6/10. They aren't bad, but they aren't anything to talk about.
    As for the animations...Yeah they can be pretty bad. Some of the animations for specific attacks in a Pokemon Battle can look really good! The same goes for the Pokemon Trainers when they first send out their Pokemon. Something as simple as throwing a Pokeball was given so much character and personality. However, I will say that a lot of the Pokemon battle animations just resort to the Pokemon hopping in place while an effect plays to show an attack happening. Some of the choices are really strange too (For example, Scorbunny will run up and kick a Pokemon when using "Tackle", but will only hop in place when using "Double Kick"...? Also, the Pokemon Dubwool will use it's hind legs and kick when using the move "Headbutt"). While some moves are given actual animations, as confusing as some of them may be, most of the moves that I've seen resort to simply moving the model around and using fancy effects instead of giving us an actual animation. Not to mention the models are ripped straight from older games, instead of what GameFreak promised, which was giving us brand new models. Speaking of ripping from older games, even some animations for trainers were ripped from older games, such as Hop having some of the exact same animations as Hau (Pokemon Sun and Moon).
    I also have a complain that I haven't really seen going around before, and that's...the lack of brand new Pokemon, and the mass of older Pokemon. When there's a brand new Pokemon game, with a brand new region, people want to see the new Pokemon, catch and train them, to see how good they all are! However, the game features...a surprisingly small amount of brand new Pokemon. They do give you a good handful at the beginning, but after that it becomes rather difficult to find new Pokemon, you just keep finding the same Pokemon you've already seen before (and no, Galarian forms of old Pokemon don't count as "brand new Pokemon"). In my opinion, all the routes should have been filled with brand new Pokemon in order to support the new region, while the "Wild Area" would be filled with Pokemon from other generations for those who want to seek them out.

    Despite these negatives...I can't say it's a bad game. It's definitely a breath of fresh air from how all the other Pokemon games are handled. Participating in the gym challenge is treated more like a sort of sports league, and it's a whole celebration for new and upcoming trainers. It gives you a far greater feeling than just grabbing a Pokemon and walking up to a gym leader, for them to say "Oh, you're a trainer. Cool, let's fight, I guess." This game's gyms are handled just differently enough for them to feel nice and fresh. This also extends to the final challenges in the main story, which I will not spoil here.
    The fact that you can see all the Pokemon just walking around, doing their own thing, is really cool. I know that the "Let's Go!" games did this before Pokemon Sword and Shield, however it's still something to appreciate.
    The Galar Region is absolutely beautiful, and is easily one of my favorite regions in all of Pokemon. The land is filled with such diverse areas and it's so fun to simply just look around them.
    The ability to customize your character in this game is very diverse (for a Pokemon game) and it really does help add your own personal touch into this game. It may not be anything ground-breaking, although it is a nice addition to see included.
    Dynamaxing is also a really nice mechanic...although I will say, gym battles will often just resort to "Let's Dynamax our last Pokemon, then see who hits harder." Also, the idea is just...really dumb in my opinion. It's just the Pokemon growing bigger. I feel like they could have used a bit more creativity here.

    If you like Pokemon, you'll like this game. I only give it a 6/10 due to the negatives listed earlier, and since this doesn't feel like enough of a change from the other Pokemon games. It feels like they did the bare minimum of what they could do for a new Pokemon game. Today, we expect more from Pokemon, especially when The Legend of Zelda and Mario have games like Breath of the Wild and Odyssey. So in short...it's what you'd expect from the next Pokemon game. Changes are made, but not as much as you'd like.    … Expand
  32. Metacritic90
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    While the gameplay was enjoyable and has a fresh concept in an open world, there were way too many flaws in the game to give it a good score,first of all, the game was way too easy and fast compared to other game, completed it within the first 24 hour of the game, but not only that the full party exp share makes it so easy to get pass anything without much grinding which let's you clearWhile the gameplay was enjoyable and has a fresh concept in an open world, there were way too many flaws in the game to give it a good score,first of all, the game was way too easy and fast compared to other game, completed it within the first 24 hour of the game, but not only that the full party exp share makes it so easy to get pass anything without much grinding which let's you clear the game even faster than Mostyn oteer game not to mention u can switch out pc pokemon at anytime anyplace, the part where you can't catch overleved pokemon is also annoying, if you can't cathc it why even bother making them. Available in the open world in the first place?? The story is very mediocre just like most games didn't expected much from it, and the animation is just bad in a lot of ways, the fog, the background, how when you climb ladders the game freeze feels way too lazy from gamefreak.I like the dynamax system it was fun and refreshing but why make it an only gym battle thing and you can't use it in the wild, that's kinda pointless after a while when u beat the game and can't use it outside. But my biggest problem is the dexit, sure I understand cutting out some of the pokemon so that we can try out new ones but why on earth cut off all the starter lines and legendary which are the icon pokemon for the past games in 2 decades??? I can't Even trade off my starters that I breed for so long to get shiny perfect Iv into the new games whats the point? This game feels way t o rushed just so they can make a new generation and get the TV series ongoing and the merch to sell better too, I hope the next game gets a better improvement and maybe even include more than 600 pokemon's and let the fans be happy with it, anyways since I'm finished with this game Im probably going to resell it, my hopes weren't high on this game yet after playing it I was still kinda disappointed with it. It was enjoyable at best but I Would rather play the old games that has more challenge to it… Expand
  33. Reciter5613
    Dec 27, 2019
    7
    I've played through it and didn't feel the hate and disappointment like most have. I guess they were expecting something groundbreaking when getting a new game on the latest system. I rent my games and I thought it was OK to try but not great enough to keep.

    The usual formula of the series is still here as to be expected. I wish they would make a more new unexpected story but whatever.    I've played through it and didn't feel the hate and disappointment like most have. I guess they were expecting something groundbreaking when getting a new game on the latest system. I rent my games and I thought it was OK to try but not great enough to keep.

    The usual formula of the series is still here as to be expected. I wish they would make a more new unexpected story but whatever.

    Graphics seem OK since I don't expect them to focus deeply on them. I'm not gonna be like them whining about the tree textures so long as it's not getting in the way of the game.

    Some are angry for not having the national Pokedex keeping them from getting all Pokemon in the game. I mean there are some I wish were in this but it was not a deal-breaker for me.

    The Dynamax system is awesome! Of course, I'm not into having to capture or breed ones for Gigantamax forms. I have a Butterfree and Drednaw that I've trained the whole time and it's sad I can't have them get their Gigantamax forms.

    Online features needed work though. I mean I don't know why they don't let you pick what specific Pokemon you want in online trade and only let you do the random surprise trades.

    The Max raids were great but hard to find other players for the hard ones. They should have it so the notifications pop up faster so players can find other player's raids to enter. I mean at least have a refresh option.

    All in all, Sword and Shield is nice but not groundbreaking. Hopefully, they improve on this in the name game and get less controversy against them.    … Expand
  34. Ignoritus
    Nov 18, 2019
    6
    Minor spoilers; no details.

    Pokemon Sword and Shield feel like the incomplete beta of a really good game. I mean that in both a technical and a design sense. These games are fun to play through, no doubt. But most of what's ultimately fun about these games are the basic mechanics that have made up the Pokemon franchise for 20 years. When you look at everything these games do that    Minor spoilers; no details.

    Pokemon Sword and Shield feel like the incomplete beta of a really good game.

    I mean that in both a technical and a design sense. These games are fun to play through, no doubt. But most of what's ultimately fun about these games are the basic mechanics that have made up the Pokemon franchise for 20 years. When you look at everything these games do that doesn't fall back on "being Pokemon" you're left with a very half-baked array of good ideas that feel like they weren't given the polish or thought they needed to really shine.

    First of all, the elephant in the room: these games suffer on a technical level. Badly. I honestly cannot understand the constant defenses these games have received in terms of "who cares about that" when talking about frequent and incredibly visible graphical bugs that one would expect out of a demo, not a triple A release. In my playthrough I encountered dozens of cases where the games glitched visually or just lacked in aesthetic polish. And that's only to speak of the GRAPHICAL problems. These games actively lag, especially in the Wild Area. Their framerate varies from "perfectly fine" to "genuinely unplayable" based on a lot of circumstances, including what video output I used.

    But the technical shortcomings aren't the only ways in which these games feel incomplete. The Wild Area is an incredibly promising new mechanic that makes it fun to explore and discover new Pokemon. But after the initial magic of it wears of you start to realize that it is actually rather small and that there is very little to really "explore". You can find various items lying about on the ground, and of course different patches of grass feature different Pokemon, but that's about it. The Pokemon just exist, wandering endlessly in circles and leaving you with little real interactivity besides running into them to battle if you want. You can't even experience the joy of seeing something exciting off in the distance and journeying over to discover it because the render distance is absolutely pitiful. The Wild Area is a big step in the right direction, but it would benefit greatly from Pokemon being a bit more natural rather than just all popping into existence and wandering in circles. The Wild Area is a concept that invokes our imaginations of a wide open area full of Pokemon living and waiting to be discovered, but ultimately its execution is effectively a big space with a controllable camera and the overworld Pokemon mechanics from Pokemon Let's Go. The raids featured here are similarly fun at first, but start to become very frustrating when you begin to take on higher level ones. The NPC partners you can team up with border on sabotaging you at times with ridiculous sets and terrible Pokemon choices for the raid, meaning high-tier raids are really only fun with human partners. Waiting for human partners takes a while and requires you to pay for Nintendo Switch Online.

    The Galar region is genuinely gorgeous and I commend the team on the aesthetic design. However, it's just that: a gorgeous setpiece. The game consistently places superficial barriers in your way to make sure you stay in very tight designated "play areas" which often leave you no room whatsoever to explore the environments. They're pretty backdrops but don't feel like real places because you're given no room to explore them. There is one town late in the game in which the Pokemon Center is literally the only building you can enter. Routes are similar in that despite there only being 10 of them only about 3 of the routes in the game actually feature any level of exploration or depth. Most of the routes are simply straight lines from point A to point B with no real exploration available. When you couple this with the constant interruptions for large chunks of NPC dialogue you begin to spend the entire game feeling like you're on rails.

    And the NPC dialogue interruptions really are a problem. The games feature a whole host of characters almost all of which ultimately never end up being relevant. Sonia spends the entire game trying to crack a mystery that is blatantly obvious to anyone who has seen the game's box art. Hop interrupts you in virtually every route and town yet almost never says anything of any importance to you. Bede and Marnie were the bearable rivals because they were more conservative with their interruptions, but both ultimately end up being of minimal importance in the grand scheme of things. Bede's story is entirely self-contained and Marnie's doesn't really culminate in any character growth for anyone involved. Despite the game interrupting you non-stop for exposition throughout its entire playtime, the actual plot climax comes out of the left-field with no buildup and resolves in under an hour. The rushed plotpoints don't make a lot of sense in the bigger picture and left me genuinely scratching my head trying to understand certain characters' motivations.    … Expand
  35. UniversalReview
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    Pokémon Sword/Shield are fun, fresh, new Pokémon experiences. You can catch nearly one-hundred new creatures, explore never before seen towns and cities, and interact with a colourful cast of new characters. However, the same can be said for every new Pokémon generation in the history of the franchise, and for perhaps the first time ever, the cuts and flaws really start to bring thePokémon Sword/Shield are fun, fresh, new Pokémon experiences. You can catch nearly one-hundred new creatures, explore never before seen towns and cities, and interact with a colourful cast of new characters. However, the same can be said for every new Pokémon generation in the history of the franchise, and for perhaps the first time ever, the cuts and flaws really start to bring the experience down.

    Through two decades of handheld releases with the same formula, the question was always there: “what if?” What could Pokémon look like, what could the series achieve, if finally freed from limited handheld hardware and brought onto modern home consoles?

    As it turns out, the answer is more of the same. And that is exactly the problem.

    Sword/Shield are a graphical upgrade from their 3DS predecessors, yet still look mediocre for their hardware. They offer plenty of new features, at the expense of everything new introduced the previous generation. They promise a new experience, yet have less content than DS and Gameboy Advance games released 10-15+ years ago. All the boxes are ticked, but that doesn’t account for everything that is missing.

    It could be argued that Sword/Shield are a product of Gamefreak’s shifting design philosophy. Since 2013’s X and Y, franchise leaders have made it clear that accessibility is a priority. Case in point, 2014’s ORAS famously removed Pokémon Emerald’s Battle Frontier because “kids would get frustrated with the difficulty”, completely disregarding the millions who grew up with the games regardless.

    This mentality is overwhelmingly present in every aspect of Sword/Shield, to the extent of actively removing player-choice in many situations. Sword/Shield are arguably the most linear games in the franchise: outside the Wild Area, you’ll mostly be moving from A to B, with a noticeable lack of traditional “dungeons”, various inaccessible areas and major plot points happening off screen. Even worse, the EXP-Share is no longer optional. To many, it was a major factor in X/Y & Sun/Moon being far easier than previous instalments, resulting in the player often being comically over-levelled in major battles, and here its removal limits player choice for simply no good reason. By focusing on simplicity and linearity, everything suffers, producing easier and shorter experiences that feel less like RPG adventures and more like a guided tour.

    But now comes the main event: Dexit. Pokémon’s largest ever controversy, and for good reason: you are finally unable to “Catch ‘Em All”. Roughly 500 creatures simply cannot be transferred into Sword/Shield. Disregarding the ethics of forcing players to use a (likely paid) service to store Pokémon that might be in a future game, improved graphics and animations were specifically cited as the main reason for this decision. Sadly, that explanation simply doesn’t hold true. Sword/Shield look mediocre for their hardware, in many cases lacking simple details such as battle backgrounds, decent textures or proper attack animations. Furthermore, many animations and models are outright reused, and while the jury is still out on whether Gamefreak lied about using “new models”, it’s indisputable that a AAA title in 2019 shouldn’t look this poor, especially if visuals are used to justify shortcomings elsewhere.

    However, perhaps Sword/Shield are expansive enough to justify the cut content? Sadly, this isn’t the case either. At a moderate pace, Sword/Shield are roughly 15-20 hour games, average for the franchise, and offer significantly less post-game content compared to many previous instalments. Sword/Shield cost $20 more than previous Pokémon experiences: console prices for console games, but nothing about the story, formula, length or breadth of content reflects that. New features like the Wild Area, Dynamax and Pokémon Camp are fun, but every new Pokémon game in history has brought new features to the table, and nothing about Sword/Shield particularly screams bigger or better.

    Sword/Shield are undoubtedly fun games. Pokémon’s core formula is one that works. But to many, they are also indicative of a stagnation that has plagued the franchise over the past five or so years. Sword/Shield are on a home console, but downgrade the graphics and they would be indistinguishable from any 3DS Pokémon release. Even with Sword/Shield being the series’ fourth consecutive yearly releases, they can expect to sell 10-15 million copies, so there really is no incentive to give the franchise the “Breath of the Wild” moment it deserves. But in 2019, on the most powerful hardware yet, the bare minimum simply isn’t good enough anymore.

    When your visuals are rivalled by a Wii spinoffs from 2006, you offer less content than DS releases from 2009, and players have less freedom than in your Gameboy debut, that’s a sign things need to improve.    … Expand
  36. LuckyAbsol
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    Your average pokemon game that'll probably be fun for the casual fan. The story is below par compared to past pokemon games, suffering from clear pacing issues towards the end. The graphics were only slightly better while some of the animations are also lacking. Clear pop ins and low resolutions textures litter the game while severals bugs are also present. For example, the battleYour average pokemon game that'll probably be fun for the casual fan. The story is below par compared to past pokemon games, suffering from clear pacing issues towards the end. The graphics were only slightly better while some of the animations are also lacking. Clear pop ins and low resolutions textures litter the game while severals bugs are also present. For example, the battle backgrounds not always matching up with battle. The quality of life changes were very welcomed but the EXP Share was still too strong and could not be turned off. On a more personal level, I believe Shield has the better exclusives.

    I must also add that the soundtrack was very forgettable this time around which is strange for a pokemon game, the postgame is also extremely short with it only being about 1-2 hours long. The battle tower makes a return but it's been stripped down to it's bare bones.    … Expand
  37. Skizor
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    I have already cleared everything including postgame. This is going to be a spoiler free review, i will only focus on the positive and negative aspects and what needs to be improved.

    Positives: *Some areas in this game look absolutely gorgeous, like the towns Ballonlea and Circhester. *Most of the new Pokemon look pretty good. *IVs and EVs, and by extension Competitive battling,    I have already cleared everything including postgame. This is going to be a spoiler free review, i will only focus on the positive and negative aspects and what needs to be improved.

    Positives:

    *Some areas in this game look absolutely gorgeous, like the towns Ballonlea and Circhester.
    *Most of the new Pokemon look pretty good.
    *IVs and EVs, and by extension Competitive battling, are more accessible than ever.
    *You can change your Pokemon's Nature with Mints.
    *Pokemon Camp, with new features, such as said Currydex.
    *New "Open-World" Wild Area for encountering higher level Pokemon.
    *Most in-depth trainer customization to date.
    *Move Tutor/Remover/Name Raters are now in every Pokemon Center.
    *You can access PC almost anywhere.

    Negatives:

    *Hundreds of Pokemon were cut from the game, such as previous Starters, Legendary Pokemon, and many others.
    *100+ Moves were cut, the most notable being Return/Frustration, Pursuit, and Hidden Power. Signature moves of certain Pokemon were also cut, even though the Pokemon themselves are in the game, like Vespiquen's Heal Order and Woobat's Heart Stamp.
    *There are multiple examples of the game feeling rushed or unfinished, like how the "Corviknight Taxi" Fast-Travel system doesn't have an animation and is just a screen fade, every NPC walking on rails, time stopping when you climb a ladder, and the entire Wild Area feeling empty, with low-resolution textures, pop-ins, and broken shadows.
    *Any battles that are not major battles, such as Wild Battles and most Trainer Battles, have the same generic backgrounds. When you are outside, the battle always takes place on a dirt road with grass, trees, and mountains in the background, and when inside a building, the battle uses a generic white void for a background.
    *Post-Game Content is confirmed to be very short, less than 2 hours to complete, similar to X&Y. It's basically just "catch Box Legendary, go to Battle Tower."
    *Most Pokemon Moves, and the Pokemon themselves, have had no noticeable improvements made to their models or animations. Everything that isn't brand new is recycled, and even some of the brand new stuff, like Hop, uses recycled animation, from Hau.
    *Riding a Bike forces you to wear an ugly biking outfit instead of your custom clothes.
    *Most of the "Story" takes place off screen, and only really makes an appearance near the end of the game. The "Story" itself is also lackluster, in that it's incredibly short and forgettable.
    *The EXP Share is mandatory, and cannot be turned off. This makes the game very easy.
    *Strange changes that don't make much sense logically, like how the sound control settings are locked behind a Key Item you get from a random NPC in Motostoke City.

    Summary:

    IMO this is the most disappointing Pokémon game i played, since i had high expectations about this game being on a console like Switch.
    They really need to add all Pokémon back in the game since there is nothing here to justify the cut of so many Pokémon.
    GameFreak need to hire more devs so they can polish and finish this games better.    … Expand
  38. Kevin12
    Nov 15, 2019
    6
    El juego es más de lo mismo en torno al pokemon de toda la vida, con mejoras gráficas evidentes. Sin embargo se nota que Game Freak no ha explotado la capacidad de la Switch especialmente en las animaciones que lucen genéricas y mediocres. El mundo es vacío y te obliga a continuar la historia lineal, y no explorar el mapa
  39. josephfry4
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    While I think any longtime fan can find SOME enjoyment in this game, the minimal improvements made to the Pokemon experience are not enough to overshadow the cut content and the general lack of polish. More than half of the total Pokemon are missing and the visuals and animations are underwhelming at best--especially in outdoor sections. The postgame is practically non-existent. The gameWhile I think any longtime fan can find SOME enjoyment in this game, the minimal improvements made to the Pokemon experience are not enough to overshadow the cut content and the general lack of polish. More than half of the total Pokemon are missing and the visuals and animations are underwhelming at best--especially in outdoor sections. The postgame is practically non-existent. The game does make some quality of life improvements, especially so in menus and in battle. Some of these changes seem like no brainers, so I'm glad to see them implimented. However, the EXP share is now forced, only making the game more of a breeze. In the end, it's a more streamlined version of a soulless Pokemon game, obviously rushed and obviously missing a lot of passion. At its base, it's at least as fun as X and Y. But even then, that was a 3DS game that still has more content than this Nintendo Switch game on hardware as powerful as a home console. It just shows how outdated the design philosophy is at Gamefreak. This game is a heartless cashgrab. Do yourself a favor and avoid it.… Expand
  40. Zoomzeta
    Nov 15, 2019
    6
    While I don't believe there is anything wrong with the game, I do feel it is rather in several areas given how far RPGs have gone prior to Gamefreak making the jump to consoles. Overall, I have hope this merely the first step for something better.
  41. Prequarantine
    Nov 15, 2019
    6
    This game is not the game for long-standing Pokemon fans that was promised last year. Few of the new features are new. This should have been a game similar in scope to other Nintendo franchise on the Switch, but it really isn't. Ultimately, this is just another Pokemon game. Hopefully next year the game will be improved, as this release feels half baked.

    The positives: +A minimum    This game is not the game for long-standing Pokemon fans that was promised last year. Few of the new features are new. This should have been a game similar in scope to other Nintendo franchise on the Switch, but it really isn't. Ultimately, this is just another Pokemon game. Hopefully next year the game will be improved, as this release feels half baked.

    The positives:
    +A minimum of 20 hours of new adventure
    +New Pokemon
    +Raids
    +Overworld Pokemon!
    +Game is Pokemon and includes many Pokemon you have always loved
    +Breeding made even more approachable, allowing more people to dip into the competition
    +Game will likely maintain the majority of its sale price for at least a year
    +Dynamax adds an interesting fusion of megas and z moves

    The negatives:
    -Overworld Pokemon are currently not capable of being shiny
    -Half of all Pokemon removed, including many days favorites like Greninja, Dragonite, and Metagross. Even Arceus is removed.
    -Roughly 150 moves removed. Most of these are irrelevant, but there are some very notable removals that threaten the balance and encourage rain teams more than ever, which were very strong already.
    -the endgame is essentially just the battle tower and raids. Something larger would have been nice.
    -GTS REMOVED
    -Game feels incredibly unpolished, including many bugs
    -no ability to set difficulty of game or turn off experience share, or turn off the forced healing given at ever corner. Game is incredibly easy as a result. You will find yourself bored.
    -Very few routes
    -No real dungeons
    -The removal of megas and z moves. Megas were incredible because they turned awkward Pokemon into powerhouses, fixing many of their flaws and making them finally usable. Gigantamax essentially reset this important progress.

    Overall, this game is fun for the 20 hours it lasts, but for its price and console, it really leaves you wanting a lot more. The game as a whole feels half baked. 6/10.    … Expand
  42. ilikechikin
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    IGN is trippin, pokemon sword & shield are easily the 2nd worst games in the series after sun/moon. As someone who has played every game since red in 1999, the mainline games have become somewhat stale over the past few iterations. Sword/shield are literally just HD 3ds games that Nintendo is selling for $60 and that's kind of disappointing to me. I still give it a 5 because well, it'sIGN is trippin, pokemon sword & shield are easily the 2nd worst games in the series after sun/moon. As someone who has played every game since red in 1999, the mainline games have become somewhat stale over the past few iterations. Sword/shield are literally just HD 3ds games that Nintendo is selling for $60 and that's kind of disappointing to me. I still give it a 5 because well, it's Pokemon and it's still decent for a Pokemon game but it is super underwhelming for being the first mainline game on the switch console. Super short story too btw, completed in 12 hours even with a couple hours of messing around in the wild area. Oh, and #GameFreakLied.… Expand
  43. Gus42
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    This game is clearly neither a 10 nor a 0 and I'd even say it could be great without all of the clear issues which are the result of a rushed launch. And while I feel that this level of hate is pretty necessary I also believe that it's pretty unacceptable for pokemon (literally the biggest franchise in the world) to cut corners and release a sub par entry to the series with the excuseThis game is clearly neither a 10 nor a 0 and I'd even say it could be great without all of the clear issues which are the result of a rushed launch. And while I feel that this level of hate is pretty necessary I also believe that it's pretty unacceptable for pokemon (literally the biggest franchise in the world) to cut corners and release a sub par entry to the series with the excuse that it's not manageable for them especially as the price has been increased to that of all other big AAA titles.… Expand
  44. souma2312
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    Yo sinceramente si que soy nintendero pero tampoco es que sea fanboy de la compañia y hay que decir sus verdades aunque la desarrollada es gamefreak y este juego no tiene la mas minima justificacion los puntos malos mas notorios son: Las animaciones por dios que un juego del 2019 salga con unas animaciones tan flojas si que daria bastante vergüenza,otra cosa las texturas en el mapa que seYo sinceramente si que soy nintendero pero tampoco es que sea fanboy de la compañia y hay que decir sus verdades aunque la desarrollada es gamefreak y este juego no tiene la mas minima justificacion los puntos malos mas notorios son: Las animaciones por dios que un juego del 2019 salga con unas animaciones tan flojas si que daria bastante vergüenza,otra cosa las texturas en el mapa que se podria decirce que es mundo abierto se nota que no pusieron nada de optimizacion y por eso las texturas van tan mal y otro punto la pokedex nacional sinceramente me parece tambien algo muy flojo de su parte viniendo de un juego de switch que no quieran metar a todos los pokemon ni si quiera es tan complicado porque tienen los modelos anteriores de 3ds que si algunos es reutilizados aca asi que no hay justificacion para esto,quizas lo unico bueno que tenga serian los diseños de los nuevos pokemon y ahora es mas facil jugar al multijugador competitivo y otra cosa que recalcar es que el juego tiene una duracion sumamente corta siendo el juego mas corto de la saga sinceramente se nota que no le hecharon ganas al juego y es una pena porque sino el juego sin duda hubiera sido un exito pero ni modo solamente la gente que quiere tirar su dinero ala basura lo comprara sin duda.… Expand
  45. MikeRose87
    Nov 22, 2019
    5
    These are my thoughts with the pros and cons I found for this game after a full playthrough with hours of wild area, raids and such over 34 hours.

    Pros I like the new Pokemon: One of my better liked generations of new Pokemon designs. The starters are all equally as good and the story behind the legendaries is solid. Wild area is an excellent idea: This is what I was hoping for in a    These are my thoughts with the pros and cons I found for this game after a full playthrough with hours of wild area, raids and such over 34 hours.

    Pros

    I like the new Pokemon: One of my better liked generations of new Pokemon designs. The starters are all equally as good and the story behind the legendaries is solid.

    Wild area is an excellent idea: This is what I was hoping for in a console Pokemon game and I feel like it was executed quite nicely. Not perfect but a good start. A super wide area with different sections, dynamic weather conditions that affect where and when Pokemnon would spawn. Also have them at all levels available but limit what you can catch to your current gym badges to avoid getting too op early on as well as to motivate you to carry on the quest in hopes to finally be able to catch that certain Pokemon who was beyond your reach.

    Gyms are pretty well done for the most part: I enjoyed the gym challenges quite much (except a couple of really lazy ones). A good change of pace from just battling a few trainers before getting to the leader. Plus the stadium showdown against the leader shows the scale of the battle as well as the fantastic music especially when they Dymanax/Gigantamax.

    Cons

    Presentation sucks: For a console game this just looks bad. Bad textures, pop ins right in your face, and poor animations (aside signature moves). Also, why dont we have voice acting in 2019?

    Story sucks: Team Yell is by far the worst antagonist team in the game. Nothing much other than to go and do the Gym Challenge to face the Champion who keeps boasting on how unbeatable he is which gets really old and corny as well as segments which should feel more epic are rushed with no substance.

    Dungeons suck: Caves, hideouts, forests etc. used to be bigger, leaving room for exploration and resembled a maze of sorts where you need to find your way out or go through multiple floors to finally reach your destination. Now they are pretty much a straight road with a few patches of grass and a couple of trainers.

    Towns/Cities suck: Whats the point of showing you an overview of a huge city leading to believe that there is much to it just for the playable area to be as big as Pallet Town?

    Rival sucks: I cant stand a "rival" that is just so nice, friendly and with such corny lines througout the game. Even complimenting you during a match when you land super effective hits and such. We need rivals to be a-holes again to really push you to want to destroy them every time you meet like Gen 1 and 2.

    From easy to braindead mode: I get the intention of aliviating some of the more tedius aspects of the game but all this together makes it so easy/convinient that there is no challenge whatsoever. You just go through the motions of the game until you beat it. Things like XP Share that cant be disabled, Box Management everywhere, no HM's, Flying Taxi, Remembering/Forgetting Moves, Changing Names, Seeing if your move is effective or not before selecting it etc.

    No National Dex: Bla bla bla, we heard this a thousand times but needs to be mentioned, whatever...

    Dynamax battling is dumb: There is no depth to Dynamax since there is just one standard move for each typing that all Pokemon use (aside Gigantamax exclusive moves) Ok, two for some. Whoop dee doo...

    Verdict

    If you want a Pokemon game to do Pokemon stuff then you will most likely have fun with this despite it's shortcomings. But if you were hoping for the first console Pokemon game to take the already great core and expand it to add true substance, challenge, and depth. This aint it chief.    … Expand
  46. Dagatansky
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    I'm gonna be very honest here, this game is not finished at all! The game isn't bad, but it's not good either. I am about 8 hours in and honestly have no desire to finish it. I have been a Pokemon fan since I was 7 when Gen 1 came out, and this is the most disappointing entry ever in the Pokemon series. The models don't look bad, but not great either, just reused 3DS models. The battleI'm gonna be very honest here, this game is not finished at all! The game isn't bad, but it's not good either. I am about 8 hours in and honestly have no desire to finish it. I have been a Pokemon fan since I was 7 when Gen 1 came out, and this is the most disappointing entry ever in the Pokemon series. The models don't look bad, but not great either, just reused 3DS models. The battle animations are boring and lazy. A lot of the new Pokemon designs are uninteresting, I do like some of them, but a good chunk of them are just bland. I do like some of the new character designs though, but Dynamax is dumb. Just another gimmick to be abandoned next generation. I was really hoping that Mega Evolution would stick around, but it got ditched just like every other gimmick. The always on EXP Share makes the game way to easy, I have blown through all 3 gyms I have fought so far. Absolutely destroying the Dynamax Pokemon the leaders use. The new Wild Area is very lackluster as well. We deserve much better than this game that feels more like an unfinished spin-off, especially from the largest media franchise to ever exist. The Pokemon Company and Game Freak are squandering this series and I honestly have no intentions of playing the next games, especially if this continues. These games are marketed towards kids eventhough the core audience is between the ages of 18 and 30, we want a challenging game. Very disappointing entry, could've been so much better than it is.… Expand
  47. amandamagliaro
    Nov 15, 2019
    7
    Switch is a better console than 3DS, so I was expecting more. But anyway, I was still surprised with the game and the news in this new generation
  48. slothvan95
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    Pokémon Shield is your average run off the mill Pokemon adventure. The characters are charming, the new creature designs are wonderful, and the adventure itself is lackluster. It is not that these games are bad games, they’re just not great games, and they certainly do not live up to their own potential. Routes are nothing more than a straight line without diverging paths or things toPokémon Shield is your average run off the mill Pokemon adventure. The characters are charming, the new creature designs are wonderful, and the adventure itself is lackluster. It is not that these games are bad games, they’re just not great games, and they certainly do not live up to their own potential. Routes are nothing more than a straight line without diverging paths or things to discover. The wild area is empty, and bland. The towns lack any sort of side quests, or personality of their own. Sure, these games will always scratch that new Pokémon itch, but gosh darn if it wouldn’t be wonderful to see these games live up to what they could ultimately be.… Expand
  49. noleme
    Jan 28, 2020
    7
    I had a lot of fun playing this pokemon game. Being able to see the pokemon in the grass is a great addition as I can choose the encounters instead of random annoying encounters. Because of this, this is the first pokemon game where I actually wanted to catch them all. The exp share takes away the annoying grinding and encourages you to try new low level pokemon you catch in your party. InI had a lot of fun playing this pokemon game. Being able to see the pokemon in the grass is a great addition as I can choose the encounters instead of random annoying encounters. Because of this, this is the first pokemon game where I actually wanted to catch them all. The exp share takes away the annoying grinding and encourages you to try new low level pokemon you catch in your party. In prior games I would just use a couple strong pokemon as I did not want to grind to level up additional pokemon. There was not an hours long tutorial or as much hand holding as ultra sun had. The gyms being arenas like a sports competition made them feel exciting.

    Dynamaxing pokemon is nothing special. The z-moves from ultra sun are better and provide more strategy in battles. The story in the game is dumb and uninteresting. Especially the team baddies which are just obnoxious fans of an opposing gym challenger and provide no real challenge. Previous games baddies like team magma from ruby were actually interesting and had motivation. The game had no good puzzles to get through. The story advances illogically as if they forgot about it. The wild area was not as fun and interesting as I thought it would be. You can't even catch all the pokemon in it until you beat all the gyms. It is so annoying encountering a pokemon and realizing it is too high a level for you to catch.

    As a casual fan who had no idea the national dex even existed until the outrage from a very vocal minority, I enjoyed this game; Although pokemon can and should be much more than this.    … Expand
  50. TheAmazingBot
    Nov 15, 2019
    6
    The game does have its charm in the fun pokémon designs and flavortext. The gameplay has teken a step back since the 3ds days removing Z-moves an mega-evolutions to the simpler "dynamax". There are pokemon fan games out there I enjoy more than this newest entry and withe the power of the switch I was expecting a lot more. This game is great for someone who hasn't played a pokemonfame for aThe game does have its charm in the fun pokémon designs and flavortext. The gameplay has teken a step back since the 3ds days removing Z-moves an mega-evolutions to the simpler "dynamax". There are pokemon fan games out there I enjoy more than this newest entry and withe the power of the switch I was expecting a lot more. This game is great for someone who hasn't played a pokemonfame for a couple of years, but lacking for people who played the latest 3ds entries.… Expand
  51. PointingGaming
    Nov 15, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think the game is extremely good so far, as someone who has played Pokémon since Gen 1 I am quite happy, there are some features they did remove, some with obvious reasons some without. Such as global trade, in the previous games they were flooded with cheated in shinys and legendaries. It adds more challenge to the game so you can’t just trade a garbage Pokémon for one super high leveled, and they made it so you can’t catch a Pokémon higher level than what your gym badge allows.

    I enjoy the wide open areas and being able to see other players in the wild areas. I think the dynamaxing is cool, and a lot better than the mega evolutions and the special moves and other gimmicks they have had in the previous games in the main storyline.

    In terms of new pokemon it was a hit and a miss, they have some good ones and some terrible ones. It’s about the same as gen 5 where they had some great ideas, and they also had some absolutely retarded ones.

    So far I am happy with this game, and I am about half way through it I have to say it was money well spent. A lot of people may hate on this game but I believe that it deserves more credit than it is givin considering this is the first main story game that has come out for the Pokémon franchise that isn’t completely pixelated.    … Expand
  52. Dahcs
    Nov 15, 2019
    7
    Before finishing the game, I am actually enjoying this game a fair bit. So far, this is definitely the best the Pokemon series has looked to date. Period. The games run at a stable framerate out side of the wild area, and the battles actually feel pretty immersive. Dynamaxing is a cool feature, and it really shows that that's where a lot of the love and effort really went into, along withBefore finishing the game, I am actually enjoying this game a fair bit. So far, this is definitely the best the Pokemon series has looked to date. Period. The games run at a stable framerate out side of the wild area, and the battles actually feel pretty immersive. Dynamaxing is a cool feature, and it really shows that that's where a lot of the love and effort really went into, along with the gyms. Alot of the user reviews are baseless, and it shows that they have obviously not played the game. I went into this game expecting Pokemon and I got exactly what I expected, and even a bit more. So far, I reccommend it, but definitely not for the full price. Will update my review when I finish the game.… Expand
  53. AGGuy
    Nov 15, 2019
    6
    Want more Pokémon? This is more Pokémon (except with fewer Pokémon). It's the same it's always been - stilted presentation, good music, so-so gameplay comprised of thrilling highs and frustrating lows, a mix of good additions and subtractions and bad additions and subtractions... and the story is not worth mentioning (actually even less so than in past games).

    It's kind of just... more    Want more Pokémon? This is more Pokémon (except with fewer Pokémon). It's the same it's always been - stilted presentation, good music, so-so gameplay comprised of thrilling highs and frustrating lows, a mix of good additions and subtractions and bad additions and subtractions... and the story is not worth mentioning (actually even less so than in past games).

    It's kind of just... more Pokémon.
    Is "kind of just more Pokémon" what you're looking for? Yes? Then this is worth 30 bucks, I'd say.
    Is "kind of just more Pokémon" not what you're looking for? Then don't bother.    … Expand
  54. Pardner
    Nov 16, 2019
    6
    Very disappointed. While many issues have already been pointed out, there are a few major ones that few, at least from what ive seen, have pointed out.
    1. The handholding. Everyone hates hand holding, from kids to adults alike. Unfortunately, Hop, the "rival" is literally everywhere and won't let you take a few steps before he needlessly tells you what you already know. There's hand    Very disappointed. While many issues have already been pointed out, there are a few major ones that few, at least from what ive seen, have pointed out.
    1. The handholding. Everyone hates hand holding, from kids to adults alike. Unfortunately, Hop, the "rival" is literally everywhere and won't let you take a few steps before he needlessly tells you what you already know. There's hand holding everywhere. We aren't idiots. The handholding makes us feel like one, however, and it very quickly makes you hate Hop. 2. The lack of challenge. This game is incredibly easy. The EXP share is always turned on, so your Pokemon are usually overleveled. Along with that, there's zero puzzles or dungeons. The old games had plenty, and completing these made you feel accomplished. There's none of that here. Without challenge, are you truly playing am JRPG? Challenge is what makes Pokemon games fun. So no challenges or puzzles really hits hard here.
    3. Shiny locked and gigantamax locked Pokemon. Unfortunately, there are shiny locked Pokemon again. This time, it's not only legendary Pokemon, but gift Pokemon as well. Keeping shiny Pokemon locked behind events doesn't feel like you earned it. There cheap grabs. It's insulting. Not only that, but you can't just give the gigantmax trait to any Pokemon. You have to catch them. This means any Pokemon you have been with for a long time cannot gigantamax. You must replace them if you want a gigiantamax version of your Pokemon, even shiny versions. This feels cheap to me.
    4. Lack of new Pokemon animations. While Gamefreak did have to create new textures and tweaks to the wireframes, it doesn't excuse about how they lied about new animations. While the moves are wonderful to look at, the Pokemon themselves aren't wildly animated like this. It's all the same. It seems the animation budget went towards moves and not Pokemon. Now that all the moves have new animations, hopefully the Pokemon themselves will get more animated in the next games.
    5. Non Scaled Pokemon. I gripe I have is that Pokemon aren't properly sized in battle and in the campsite. Pokemon that should be massive are the size of the player. An example of this is tyranitar. Hes proper size in the overworld, but he's absolutely short in battle and the campsite. Same is true for the third legendary. Absolutely giant in cutscenes and in the overworld, but it's the size of a charizard in battle and the campsite. It makes no sense.
    6. Mediocre wild area textures. The textures in the wild area are awful compared to the rest of the game. Unfortunately, the wild area is a large part of the game, so you can't escape it. The trees look like they came from the 64 era, the grass looks like it was smothered on, the water looks a bit glossy and doesn't even have water ripple around swimming Pokemon, it's just bad.

    All in all, Pokemon Sword (and shield) is a mediocre Pokemon game. It feels like this should have come out on the 3ds. It just isn't as good as it should have been. I mean, it's a decent game, but it's not a great game. Hopefully with the reported longer development time for future titles, we can get the Pokemon game that truly earns the title of #1.    … Expand
  55. Arcayon
    Jan 10, 2020
    5
    This game is a pokemon game. So most people are going to enjoy it. I regrettably bought it because it was a pokemon game, but I've still had fun with it. That being said, this is likely the worst pokemon game ever released by Game Freak. They lied multiple times to consumers about their decisions in order to take advantage of their loyal fanbase. The business tactics are alone areThis game is a pokemon game. So most people are going to enjoy it. I regrettably bought it because it was a pokemon game, but I've still had fun with it. That being said, this is likely the worst pokemon game ever released by Game Freak. They lied multiple times to consumers about their decisions in order to take advantage of their loyal fanbase. The business tactics are alone are shameful. The game itself is not polished or finished. You'll need to pay an additional 30$ to get a finished game via DLC around a year from now.

    Pokemon are missing. The designs of new starters is really bad. Gyms are great, but there is a huge lack of story missing and I feel like I'm not doing much other than going from town to town beating gyms. The lack of the GTS is a killer if you are a collector. Wonder trade is still there but requires a nintendo online subscription of 5$ per month. In order to transfer your pokemon from previous generations, you need to have a pokemon box which costs money. Pokemon must then be transferred from their legacy storage pokemon box to pokemon home which is an additional fee.

    This game is all about additional fees and reminds me of an EA games business model. Tons of microtransactions to enjoy the base game. The base game is not a finished product. But hey no matter what, Pokemon is always gonna be fun.    … Expand
  56. Lone_Wolf_Sones
    Feb 2, 2020
    5
    Where to start with Sword and Shield. Are they bad games? No. Are they great games? No. So what are they then? Well they strangely find themselves sitting in the middle. Considering these were to be the first console mainline installments in the series? Expectations were understandably high.

    That is not to say that there aren't any redeemable aspects about these titles. However for    Where to start with Sword and Shield. Are they bad games? No. Are they great games? No. So what are they then? Well they strangely find themselves sitting in the middle. Considering these were to be the first console mainline installments in the series? Expectations were understandably high.

    That is not to say that there aren't any redeemable aspects about these titles. However for every step forward? It feels like one step was taken back. First we have to talk about the cuts to the national dex as well as the move pool. Game Freak said this was in an effort to deliver high quality animations. Unfortunately, we do not really have "high quality animations" here.

    The Wild area is easily the biggest new addition and it is a positive step forward. However this is tempered by the fact that you will find high level pokemon early on. You can't catch them. This would have been somewhat tolerable if you could catch them but couldn't use them in battle due to the level restrictions that have been in place since the series' inception. Also a bummer is that while online the frame rate tanks and trainers you come across can't be interacted with.

    The games also have a shocking lack of visual polish across the board. There are some glaringly low resolution and muddy textures. The cities and towns feel like window dressing and facades. Many doors can't be entered. Interior's of buildings have been copied and pasted with the same layout in each.

    Dynamax and Gigantamax battles feel like gimmicks. They add very little to the meta and feel like nothing more than damage sponges even if you exploit elemental advantage. I would rather the time spent on these have been spent on creating more new pokemon or getting more of the roster in there.

    The new pokemon we did get are generally cool. Regional variants though again I could do without in favor of more new ones or more of the proper national dex.

    Now we come to the really scummy part. They revealed DLC where many of the cut pokemon will be added back in for $30. They said there would be a "Free" update. But many people fail to consider this isn't really free. We also have been given the news of Pokemon Home and that it will cost $16 for a year. Also placed behind Pokemon Home is the GTS system that has been carved out from the previous games.

    IF you want to transfer from pokemon Bank which itself already costs $5 a year? You need Pokemon Home which is another $16 for a year. This is on top of paying for Switch online at $20 for a year. That means you will have spent $41 on subscriptions alone just to transfer/trade and battle online. And if you want the DLC which most fans are probably going to want as there are yet new legendaries in there, that's another $30. That's $71 total on top of the $60 for the base game where you already were paying $20 more up front being a switch title vs. a 3DS title.

    This kind of excessive monetization of Pokemon is my greatest fear come true.
    (copied from my review of Pokemon Sword)    … Expand
  57. Digi
    Nov 24, 2019
    7
    This game is a well made, beautiful looking pokemon game. However huge flaws include the lack of a hard mode, that veterans have been awaiting for decades. Finally the story was quite lacking compared to previous games.
  58. R4F43LL
    Nov 16, 2019
    6
    No geral o jogo é muito bom , porém o corte da dex com a falta de qualidade gráfica acaba deixando o jogo mediano para ruim
  59. ZonnedX1
    Nov 16, 2019
    6
    It's not bad, but they could have done more. My feelings on this game are mixed. It's a Pokemon game it has almost everything you would expect from a Pokemon game. However the GTS system and the national dex are both missing and these were things I loved playing with in past entries. You have to endure an almost hour and a half tutorial before you can even start the game but once youIt's not bad, but they could have done more. My feelings on this game are mixed. It's a Pokemon game it has almost everything you would expect from a Pokemon game. However the GTS system and the national dex are both missing and these were things I loved playing with in past entries. You have to endure an almost hour and a half tutorial before you can even start the game but once you finally free yourself the game picks up a bit. I like the new Pokemon and the wild area is an interesting addition. However the game has no real story to speak of the villainous team in this game is something of a joke. This kind of makes me sad because I was expecting at least a generic save the world story. It hits most of the check marks that will make a casual fan enjoy it. There are Pokemon to catch, places to explore, gym battles to win but it's not really a step up from what we had on 3DS aside from the visuals. I would argue it's a step back because the improved visuals don't make up for lacking the GTS and national dex. Though despite the visuals being improved they do not look like the best the Switch can do I have seen better in Breath of the Wild. I have mixed feelings on this game part of me likes it because it's a Pokemon game but the other half just feels there was a lot of lost potential here. Overall I recommend this for casual Pokemon fans who liked the Let's Go games but I think the more dedicated players will be a bit disappointed with so much missing.… Expand
  60. CupidStunt
    Nov 17, 2019
    5
    I am not review bombing this game like some publications are accusing people of, just giving an objective opinion.

    Firstly what I like. The new Pokemon designs look like they could fit in well with the original Pokemon. The battles are as good as ever and I like being able to switch Pokemon in and out when ever you want. Also the British themed setting. Now what I do not like. The    I am not review bombing this game like some publications are accusing people of, just giving an objective opinion.

    Firstly what I like. The new Pokemon designs look like they could fit in well with the original Pokemon. The battles are as good as ever and I like being able to switch Pokemon in and out when ever you want. Also the British themed setting.

    Now what I do not like. The game is exceptionally low budget and feels unfinished. This is inexcusable from a £90billion franchise. So much has been taken out. The Pokedex is less than half and no older Mon will ne transferrable from older games. The GTS has been removed making trading for the Pokemon you want so much more difficult. The graphics are pretty bad in places and the battle animations are poor. Game Frwak definitely lied about the games being more completely animated. The lack of voice acting is just jarring. It is criminal that the games now are not on par with the anime, with the silly Pokemon speak and full character acting. This is 2019 and the games should now feel like a fully interactive anime. Take note from games like Ni No Kuni. There are games that sell a tiny portion of what these do with full voice acting just brimming with character. Also the music is an exceptionally bad midi-soundtrack. Really it is ear melting bad, as are the Pokrmon sound effects. Worst of all is the difficulty. Why is there still mongers mode to prepare people for playing online. A lot of Pokemon fans are older now, and the complete lack of challenge is frankly insulting for us. also the story is probably the worst yet. This is a rushed mess of a game and Nintendo should be ashamed to have taken so much and given so little. Even the Woldcarea is a bland and ugly place. This looks like it was made for the 3DS and then ported badly. Easily the worst mainline entry with little new to add. Dynamaxing is nowhere near as interesting competitively as mega evolutions were    … Expand
  61. TeaCrusader
    Nov 17, 2019
    5
    It’s an amazing game with beautiful graphics and a world which has a lot of depth. I’m still playing the game, and I’m meeting up with friends soon to fight some dynamax bosses, cook some great curries, play with each other’s Pokemon at Pokemon camp and battle. Overall, I love all of the elements of the game, especially the story and how the gyms work. They really feel real. Seriously, IIt’s an amazing game with beautiful graphics and a world which has a lot of depth. I’m still playing the game, and I’m meeting up with friends soon to fight some dynamax bosses, cook some great curries, play with each other’s Pokemon at Pokemon camp and battle. Overall, I love all of the elements of the game, especially the story and how the gyms work. They really feel real. Seriously, I can’t state enough how great this game is. I’d definitely recommend getting it.… Expand
  62. oPROJECTMAYHEMo
    Nov 18, 2019
    5
    This is a non Biased and fair review from someone who is not overly emotionally attached.

    First off - I am a fan of Pokemon and have played the vast majority of them. (Pokemon Doesn't rule my life). I am 6 hours or so into the game and there is plenty to like and there is also plenty that could have been much better, hence my score being middle of the road. This game is far too    This is a non Biased and fair review from someone who is not overly emotionally attached.

    First off - I am a fan of Pokemon and have played the vast majority of them. (Pokemon Doesn't rule my life).

    I am 6 hours or so into the game and there is plenty to like and there is also plenty that could have been much better, hence my score being middle of the road.

    This game is far too easy. You don't have to grind or power level anything to progress through the game. I have so far only battled the random people along the way and tried to catch one of each pokemon encountered so far and I am over leveled by 8 levels.

    I really don't like being able to see the wild pokemon you encounter before the battle starts, for me half the fun was hunting in each area not knowing who you were going to encounter and the joy of finally finding the ones you wanted.

    Pokemon Shield and Pokemon Lets Go give wild access to strong and later forms of pokemon way too early in the game.

    Battling isnt difficult, at all. I started with Scorbunny and he has been the only pokemon used so far except for 1 battle.

    Forced XP share just adds to the ease of this game. I have used 1 pokemon all game so far and have a team with an average level of around 22. I miss the grind the early games offered.

    The graphics are great. I like that pokemon haven't been given voices and they still use the old retro noises.

    The characters are annoying and not very interesting. Team Yell are poorly designed make it blatantly obvious they are only there to add to the length of the game rather than being a part of the story or a side story. Some poor pokemon designs too- Who wants an ice cream pokemon or one in the shape of a tea pot?

    You have access to a bike and fishing rod without having to work for them - again, adding to the lack of difficulty.

    Gigantamax is pointless and adds absolutely nothing to the game. I am glad it is used only once every now and then in a gym battle.

    I know I have mentioned a lot i feel is wrong with this game but.... it is fun, albeit very easy.

    Would have been perfect if
    All wild encounters are hidden
    Make the game harder - Opponents have to strategy and low leveled
    Remove Gigantamax
    Add the vast majority Pokemon (far too many missing)
    Its feels empty - Whats the point of a big map if your going to leave it with not much to actually do.

    Again, my biggest gripe is this game is FAR TOO EASY and everything is just handed to you on a plate.    … Expand
  63. SniperKnighter
    Nov 24, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Let me start off by saying i'm in favor of #bringbackthenationaldex so anyone who hates opposing opinions can leave quicker.

    Now let's get started.

    My experience through Pokemon Shield did feel like a pokemon game that was a mesh of X and Y and Lets Go Pikachu and Eevee, but it seemed to be just be a spit shined version of X and Y with somehow less features of which i'll explain.

    In order to make this review its necessary in my opinion to be clear that Gamefreak did in fact lie about the reasoning for taking out more than half the pokemon and from what i saw from this game i honestly can't justify why they made this move.

    That being said let me explain what i was talking about early about being somehow less features.

    #1: In the trailers for this game one of the features they advertised was customization that would be coming back with more than there was before with inclusions like makeup but that is false. There are a total of 5 boutiques in this game and unlike in X and Y the clothing does not change out each day for something new but instead sells the same small selection with small differences like color, on top of the makeup and hairstyles being rather limited. To give credit they made the trainer cards you get in every game the most customizable it's ever been with differing poses, expressions, backgrounds and a gloss pattern like a licence but that was not part of the aforementioned customization they were advertising.

    #2: They advertised the camping feature where you can play with your pokemon and a curry feature that you can make and eat with your pokemon similar to breath of the wild to an extent. I can't say that i can deny thats what was delivered but in a limited capacity. The camping feature is good to allow you to take a break on a route without wild pokemon bothering you but the play with your pokemon part has much to be desired. You have 2 options, throw a ball or have them attack a poke toy (cat toy basically), both of which get old and display subpar animations for each pokemon that sometimes are so bad they are laughable. Playing with your pokemon increases there affection however so there's that if you have the patience. The curry feature is surprisingly not bad because it heals your pokemon when you make it but doesn't replenish your moves which is fine sense the game is quite easy, however the animation for that too is laughably lacking.

    #3: They advertised that there would be a variety of pokemon in the wild area and technically there are, however you only need to explore for about 10 minutes before you've seen them all and or catched them all. To the wild areas credit it's probably the most challenging and rewarding area in the game because when you battle dynamaxed pokemon they give you powerful moves, rare candies, and EXP boosting items but that can be also a double edged blade that causes the game to be easier than it already is. Also they advertised online Dynamax raids with players online along with visiting their tents, and receiving items from them and the receiving items part is true but the online mode is an appalling joke whether that be on Nintendo's new paid for online gameplay services or game freak it makes no difference. When online you lag like in previous games but even harder, you see other players glitching around, it may take several tries to MAYBE see a single other person wanting to dynamax raid when there are 4+ players hovering over the den, and visiting other players tents works but you basically can just add your main mon to their tent and do the same 2 things you can do in your own so it's again very lacking.

    #4: The amount of times i had to stop in this game to hear a character dribble out a list of dialogue was ridiculous. The games allows you to skip tutorials but gives quantities of dialogue in exchange while seemingly babying you by always telling you where to go next when you travel via map. Your also given way to many free rare items just for doing a simple task that any trainer can accomplish. The games not as easy as X and Y but it only steps up a bit by being similar to Alpha Ruby and Omega Sapphires difficulty level.

    The plus sides to this game are your rival has the most development i've seen from any rival (he's not hard to beat but you really feel like he's gone through a journey), dynamaxing can be satisfying to use, though some pokemon don't look like pokemon there are some good looking and hard hitting ones as well, there are likable and good looking characters, it's definitely not an eyesore, and the gym challenge storyline and idea felt more like your character earned their status (it's still an easy game but it felt better story wise aside from Black and White).

    Overall it's not a bad game but me and many others expect better from the #1 franchise in the worlds mainline game.    … Expand
  64. AlenJeir
    Nov 21, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. We waited for this Game for so long and 4 years of development sounds like an awesome experiencies but. OVERSCALED and adding a pink light under the reused models the price is high. Not our fault this is GF first Game of this kind, the económic growth of the company does not translate in better games. They told this was bigger and better than it actually is.… Expand
  65. Geeksgoboom
    Nov 24, 2019
    5
    Loving this game, best one yet. Super smooth controls with no issues, in handheld mode I haven't noticed any lag or glitches. Enjoying the new pokemon, it's not the hardest game for a 33 year old but hey it's for KIDS!!
  66. harry_j_harry
    Dec 22, 2019
    7
    The story and difficulty of the game felt non existent. The lack of every Pokémon is lazy. But this is a decent Pokémon experience with a bunch of cool Pokémon design's.
  67. jorgeben292110
    Nov 16, 2019
    5
    Es un "buen" juego si ignoras ciertos apartados (gráficos, etc), lo mismo con la otra versión, sin embargo es cuestionable el hecho de haber eliminado de forma masiva la mayoría de Pokémon, también megaevoluciones , etc. No es lo que esperaba, espero que la próxima entrega sea mucho mejor que esta.
  68. maxspin
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    I have just played this game for 5 hours and all I can say is that the rumors were right. Graphics are lackluster (to not say bad) for a Switch game, animations are not detailed like Nintendo promised, routes are boring and most are just straight lines, national dex is nowhere to be seen (I was expecting this but whatever), and tons of other small issues that end up causing a snowballI have just played this game for 5 hours and all I can say is that the rumors were right. Graphics are lackluster (to not say bad) for a Switch game, animations are not detailed like Nintendo promised, routes are boring and most are just straight lines, national dex is nowhere to be seen (I was expecting this but whatever), and tons of other small issues that end up causing a snowball effect. I really did expect it to be a bit better, but as a long time fan, I'm just disappointed.… Expand
  69. FruitJuicer
    Nov 16, 2019
    5
    !!WARNING!! I HAVE TERRIBLE GRAMMAR I'M DOING MY BEST

    So pokemon sword/shield I wasn't going to buy this game cause of all the lies that came from the pokemon company, gamefreak, creatures inc and Nintendo. Now why do I blame all of them cause they all have hands on the pokemon license and they know how big it is, so why they decided to not put there time and effort in one of there    !!WARNING!! I HAVE TERRIBLE GRAMMAR I'M DOING MY BEST

    So pokemon sword/shield I wasn't going to buy this game cause of all the lies that came from the pokemon company, gamefreak, creatures inc and Nintendo. Now why do I blame all of them cause they all have hands on the pokemon license and they know how big it is, so why they decided to not put there time and effort in one of there biggest IPs, unfortunately I don't know. What I do know is the game is a below average game and doesn't deserve to be sold at 60 bucks. From low resolution textures to frame drops and most agregious the pokemon count has been decreased dramatically and the pokemon models are still the old models from PokemonX/Y. These models aren't even scaled properly. In pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee all the pokemon were to scale is Sword/Shield they aren't, also you might make the argument that there were just 150 in let's go but there isn't alot of pokemon in Sword/Shield. (I don't know the exact number o haven't beaten the game yet but I know its below half the pokedex) Now the game is fun for what it is I like the wild area idea but it isn't implemented, dinamaxing (I know I didn't spell that right) is a cool idea but Megas were better and you can use then in any battle. It is better then Sun/Moon but that's not saying much. There is alot of dialog but it wasnt as bad as Sun/Moon. The bike just sucks we have all these cool creatures and we can't us them to sure and why do we need to have on that ugly bike suit... its ugly as @#$%. Customizing your character is nice and fun you get a good variety of clothes and makeup up. Its still limited but its better and going into the right direction. They need to stop making making digimonmons and start making pokemonmons. The pokemon in Sword/Shield are okay but I found out that all the pokemon or alot of newer pokemon are humanoids and when you try to picture them in there environment... well you can't... atleast I cant and I now that's probably just me but I feel like they could he better. Gyms are fun but nothing special they were advertising that each game had had different gym leaders that's cool but the gym gimmicks are the same just diffrent color. For example: they showed off the ghost and fighting gyms and said they were exclusive to one of the games but what they didn't say is they were going to copy and paste the mini game you do before you fight the gym leader. The music is shallow and limited beside the gym leader track (witch they play when you fight any gym leader) witch is pretty cool all the music is stock or just boring. The game isn't difficult but I will say please for the love of mewtwo stop forcing us to use the XP share god let us turn it off or have a different difficultly setting please. In conclusion this game is blow average and isn't worth 60 or 40, this is a 20 dollars game. I am enjoying my time with this game but if you are going to charge 60 bucks a game and with the highest grossing game franchise in the world you guys can do better. But I know they won't they don't car about the license or the fans they just want to appease the casual. So that includes my thoughts I know I'm missing some this but you get the picture right? Well enjoy and have a nice day.    … Expand
  70. Josepain
    Nov 16, 2019
    5
    Me parecio algo muy repetitivo,lo cual lo hace aburrido,todavia que quitan mas de la mitad de los pokemon's
  71. mashedtatter
    Nov 18, 2019
    6
    I originally posted a review giving Shield a perfect 10, mostly to offset the review bombing of angry former fanboys who haven't even played the game and believe bogus reviews. But that doesn't really help out in the end, so this is going to be a very honest review.

    I like this game. I don't LOVE it. But it's not bad. If I had to rank this generation against the rest, I can say it's at    I originally posted a review giving Shield a perfect 10, mostly to offset the review bombing of angry former fanboys who haven't even played the game and believe bogus reviews. But that doesn't really help out in the end, so this is going to be a very honest review.

    I like this game. I don't LOVE it. But it's not bad. If I had to rank this generation against the rest, I can say it's at least better than every Pokemon game that isn't Heart Gold/Soul Silver, Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, or Black/White/2.

    I don't really miss any of the old Pokemon, and even though I having a Living Pokedex on my copy of Ultra Sun, I don't mind not being able to bring them all over to this game. That said, I get why people are upset, but also think they're blowing it out of proportion. Anyone with half a brain would realize they couldn't just keep throwing the same 800+ Pokemon into each game forever. You call it "laziness", I call it realizing a lot of the Pokedex is useless filler.

    The story thus far (I've only gotten up to fourth gym as of this review, currently 15 hours in and I'm taking my time exploring the wild area) isn't really much to write home about, sure. But you don't REALLY play these games for story, do you? I don't. I play to catch cute creatures.

    The music is some of the best Masuda had done yet. All the battle themes just might end up being my favorites of the whole series.

    The graphics/art are much improved over the last gen, though I will always miss the sprite art.

    Overall, I'd say this game is worth your time if you're not horribly attached to old Pokemon and don't mind that a bunch of moves were cut as well. It's not bad. It's just not great either. Middle of the road, I guess.    … Expand
  72. LunarD3ATH
    Dec 30, 2021
    5
    Shills making reviews now? These are FAR from the best Pokemon games ever made. In fact, they're low-tier and average *at best* but even that feels like it's giving Game Freak too much credit.

    Let's ignore the lies about needing more time to spend on animation and the drama of cutting out the national Pokedex and, worse than that, going a step further and making it impossible to get    Shills making reviews now? These are FAR from the best Pokemon games ever made. In fact, they're low-tier and average *at best* but even that feels like it's giving Game Freak too much credit.

    Let's ignore the lies about needing more time to spend on animation and the drama of cutting out the national Pokedex and, worse than that, going a step further and making it impossible to get those Pokemon in-game AT ALL. Let's ignore that these games can be ugly in the wild areas and that your Pokemon don't follow you anymore, because the games are actually quite beautiful on the linear routes despite some pop-in. Let's ignore the technical issues.

    As long-time Pokemon fans, many of us have grown to expect some level of both quality and muck. Old, cool mechanics are tossed in the bin to make each game feel "special" and new features are added to differentiate the new ones from the old. Gen 3 and 4 had their own variation on contests that were great, for example, whereas Gen 6 had things like the Battle Maison and introduced Mega Evolutions. The latter of which was scrapped almost completely (may return someday, but they are not present in Gen 8).

    These games are still fun, but if you've ever played a Pokemon game before you WILL notice the untapped potential. These games were rushed out for no discernible reason, cutting a large portion of content and leading to very linear, bland route designs with no opportunities to explore (all of that exploration is thrown into the wild areas, which are not that interesting to explore beyond just seeing how it changes when you go from area to area). Many new Pokemon designs are very cool and I think they did a fantastic job with the regional forms they added, like Ponyta and Zigzagoon. A few shiny designs are quite interesting now that palette swaps are mostly a thing of the past, such as shiny Galarian Zigzagoon, but many are also quite boring and don't fit that well with their base form shinies, like Gigantamax Centiskorch.

    But I guess those are small complaints. Really it's just the fact that you're bound to see less to praise the game for and ultimately feel disappointed. In older games there was usually enough to make up for the older content being cut, some new gimmick that at least made things interesting. Now, not so much. Unless you really like making curry in the game, which I can't imagine why you would, there's not much going on.

    It's a good game, it's just not a very good Pokemon game. You'll have fun with it if you really try and give it a shot, but you're going to feel ripped off for full price, especially with the cost of the DLC being a whopping $30 extra, and even after the DLC there are still many of your old favorites that won't be available in the game at all. And from now on you'll have to get used to checking compatibility lists to determine if you can build your team the way you want with your favorite Pokemon because no game will ever include all of the old Pokemon, even though the models have been ready since the start of Gen 6.

    Seriously, what's the point of future-proofing models if you're just not going to use them?    … Expand
  73. riverkev95
    Jun 17, 2020
    5
    Es un juego con muchas ideas interesantes pero ejecutadas de una forma cuestionable.
    Muchas decisiones del juego son polémicas y definitivamente se nota que le hicieron muchas horas de desarrollo para obtener una experiencia decente.
    El juego brilla por sus mecánicas clásicas, accesibilidad a nuevos miembros y curiosas innovaciones, pero falla terriblemente en quitar cosas de    Es un juego con muchas ideas interesantes pero ejecutadas de una forma cuestionable.
    Muchas decisiones del juego son polémicas y definitivamente se nota que le hicieron muchas horas de desarrollo para obtener una experiencia decente.

    El juego brilla por sus mecánicas clásicas, accesibilidad a nuevos miembros y curiosas innovaciones, pero falla terriblemente en quitar cosas de generaciones anteriores que ya estaban muy bien recibidas por los jugadores.
    Un gran error fue recortar casi la mitad de los pokémon y carecer de un post-Game decente. Este contenido faltante se venderá en un pase de expansión de $30.00 que contendrá más de 200 pokémon y el post-game que le hizo falta, aún así no se completará la pokedex nacional.

    En conclusión, Pokémon Sword/Shield no es un pésimo juego, pero está lejos de ser un buen juego. Es un juego entretenido, pero mediocre. Los más fanáticos, aquellos que compraban ambas versiones desembolsarán mucho dinero ya que pasarán de gastar $80.00 a $180.00 ya que el pase de expansión es ligeramente diferente para cada juego y se vende de esa manera.    … Expand
  74. BlooperTanooki
    Mar 20, 2020
    7
    It's without a doubt a step backwards from what seasoned Pokémon fans were accustomed, especially with games like Platinum, HGSS and Black an White 2 existing. However, the games do give a fun time, a nice roster of new Pokémon, good characters and incredible music. It's a shame nothing blends together nicely either. It's like a sandwich made of a lot of nice things: Nutella, Jam, Cheese,It's without a doubt a step backwards from what seasoned Pokémon fans were accustomed, especially with games like Platinum, HGSS and Black an White 2 existing. However, the games do give a fun time, a nice roster of new Pokémon, good characters and incredible music. It's a shame nothing blends together nicely either. It's like a sandwich made of a lot of nice things: Nutella, Jam, Cheese, but they don't taste good in the final thing.… Expand
  75. Kashmoney
    Apr 17, 2020
    7
    Intro: (note, this review comes from a long time casual player)
    After playing through the game fully now, I can say Pokemon Sword and Shield are still very decent pokemon games and still deserve around a 6 or 7 out of 10 for me. While there are still issues with the games that could use some rework, I still had a very good time playing through the Galar region.
    The Good: Let's start    Intro: (note, this review comes from a long time casual player)
    After playing through the game fully now, I can say Pokemon Sword and Shield are still very decent pokemon games and still deserve around a 6 or 7 out of 10 for me. While there are still issues with the games that could use some rework, I still had a very good time playing through the Galar region.

    The Good:
    Let's start off with the good, the game has a great look pretty good. Yes, the wild areas could be better, but the cities/towns, gyms, and pokemon look pretty solid. The gyms in this game, while easy, felt the closest I believe to the anime. Battles are fought in large coliseums and it's pretty **** cool to see your player battle through the game's leaders and feel like your actually part of the game. Also, in my opinion, this region has some of the most likable new pokemon hands down. All of them felt unique and are some nice additions to the world of pokemon. Character customization is back and it's nothing too amazing, but it's nice that they are still on this trend of being included in the games. The characters in this game are also really great for the most part. Many main characters have a unique personality or cool design to them and it's a really nice crowd of people (my personal favorite is Melony if you know what I mean ;3). Also, this is a very unpopular opinion, but I really like Dynamaxing. Having your pokemon grow to the size of Godzilla and blow up your opponent is really fun and feels like it can give everyone a chance to shine like with z-moves. And while it's not as cool as Megas, I welcome this new way of battling,

    The Meh:
    While the wild area is a really cool idea and is fun, it looks a bit bland. Some areas look like it wasn't properly textured and does look like some old grass stains were left on there (and no, the trees are not the best, but it's a **** tree so who cares). The game also suffers a bit with the National Dex issue. While I personally did not feel affected in my gameplay of the lack of the National Dex, I do still wish they would have allowed players to transfer their Pokemon into the new games with not dex entry like in USUM. 400 pokemon are still a lot however and what's here is a pretty solid roster of mons.

    The bad:
    The game really lacks in the number of dungeons and possible wild areas. There have been many times in the story I wished that there were some dungeons to fight through or more wild areas then what we have. The game's evil team, Team Yell, is also the worst in the WHOLE series. Being nothing but some punks who could have been more was a huge letdown. I felt that there was so much more the team could have done, but they didn't do **** which sucks. This game also suffers from poor post-game. Like X and Y, this game has a lack of post-game and doesn't offer much. I feel once the DLC comes out this could change, but still, it's not great at all.

    Overall:
    This game is fun like other pokemon games. It does need a lot of work, but it's not as bad as some people were putting this game out to be (but hey we all have our opinions). Also with the new DLC coming out, I feel this game might be a start to how pokemon "definitive titles" will play out so here's to hope everything turns out great.    … Expand
  76. Herowill
    Nov 18, 2019
    6
    Gentlemen, you have talked a lot about the game. Your rating should not be 3.3 how it is valued in metacritical, however, the game should not cost $ 60 either.

    In my opinion, I give it a 6.8, Gamefreak should check and fans who defend the indefensible too, as well as those who are not obedient to it (hate). The franchise is not on the right track, Pokémon played from Red and Blue and it    Gentlemen, you have talked a lot about the game. Your rating should not be 3.3 how it is valued in metacritical, however, the game should not cost $ 60 either.

    In my opinion, I give it a 6.8, Gamefreak should check and fans who defend the indefensible too, as well as those who are not obedient to it (hate). The franchise is not on the right track, Pokémon played from Red and Blue and it is worth it.

    The comparison is made taking into account the console where it runs and this game does not take even 60% of the benefits of Nintendo Switch. You just have to see Zelda.    … Expand
  77. Freesteff
    Nov 15, 2019
    7
    Nach 5 stunden spielzeit finde ich pokemon schild im grossen und ganzen sehr gut die grafik sehr anständig die naturzone ist riesig die sogenanntentem raids machen spass
  78. GrungeHamster
    Feb 16, 2020
    6
    The game does scratch the itch for capturing and battling fun, colorful monsters. However the game feels lackluster in a number of departments.

    The game admittedly does get some things right, things such as accessing all monsters from anywhere in the game world except for battles. Creating battle ready teams is easier than ever. Though some changes are a little strange. The Escape Rope,    The game does scratch the itch for capturing and battling fun, colorful monsters. However the game feels lackluster in a number of departments.

    The game admittedly does get some things right, things such as accessing all monsters from anywhere in the game world except for battles. Creating battle ready teams is easier than ever. Though some changes are a little strange. The Escape Rope, a dungeon escaping item is no longer limited to being a purchase item and has unlimited uses. This would normally be a good thing, however there are no dungeons in the game and no puzzles.

    This leads to the next issue that the game is fairly hand-holdy. You can explore the 'Wild Area' which allows for real defeat and failure. Outside of this however the game feels and plays like a theme park.

    The story isn't very engaging, while this may not be the primary reason one plays these games it needs to be said that the game doesn't seem to have a clear idea of what it wants the player to focus on. Without any spoilers, the game wants you to focus on your journey through the land, all while hinting at some corporate issue go on in the background. Characters will tell you to pay it no mind, then 20 minutes later interrupt your adventure to have you pay attention to the very thing they just told you to ignore.

    Finally, graphics are fairly off here. The game feels and looks like it was mashed together by several different teams and studios, and we see that is the case in the end credits. Some visuals are very clean and clear, while others are muddy, bland and polygon-like. The final icing on the cake is the fact that you can literally see a mouse cursor in the end credits as the editor was working on their computer to edit the sequence.

    It's an okay and playable game, but it is not out of this world. If you want more of the same or are a returning fan, you will likely enjoy it. If you were hoping for something to blow your mind, look elsewhere.    … Expand
  79. Listerine
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ok look, it’s not bad. It’s not great either, which is unfortunately what I was expecting from the first console game. Big pluses: I really like the pokemon designs. They were creative and refreshing. Which makes it all the more sad to realize that the rest of the game wasn’t made with the same care. Minor plus: some QOL improvements. Big minuses: the game looks...sloppy. Animations seem to be thrown away without a care. Also, the hand holding is just ridiculous. Hop is probably the worst rival we’ve ever had and the game is incredibly linear with no exploration in the non-wild area (also disappointing). Some of the towns feel like straight up Potemkin villages, it’s eerie. The difficulty curve is nonexistent and I’ve already beat much of the main content. I probably won’t keep playing this much, since from what I’ve heard, the post game isn’t fleshed out either.

    I was debating giving this a lower score just because of unmet expectations, but it’s honestly not bad per se. It’s a solid 5/10. Half of all games are better and half are worse. Given that video games are fun, that’s good! Given that it’s Pokemon, that’s atrocious. Very disappointed. Also I love Flapple.    … Expand
  80. DiscoToot
    Nov 16, 2019
    7
    An honest review for the common player, bias aside. If you’ve already played through the entirety of Pokemon Sword/Shield, you had the time on your hands and that’s cool. Personally, I have not played through. I don’t doubt the most popular disdain; a considerably short story and post-game, lackluster character diversity and dynamax features. But I want to point out some review pointsAn honest review for the common player, bias aside. If you’ve already played through the entirety of Pokemon Sword/Shield, you had the time on your hands and that’s cool. Personally, I have not played through. I don’t doubt the most popular disdain; a considerably short story and post-game, lackluster character diversity and dynamax features. But I want to point out some review points you’re going to read that are more than likely the fault of bias and nostalgia. - Wild areas don’t lack the richness players claim. The wild area is a new concept. It’s not supposed to be the open field in Breath of the Wild. The mechanics of the wild areas are exciting and challenging. Seeing your wild opponent before entering battle changes how you’re gonna play the game, for the better. It makes it more fun to train, without all of the running away from Zubats so you can battle a Graveller. Much easier and fun to hunt down a Pokemon with a certain nature or ability. - Graphically, the game is just taking flight. The first true 3D Pokemon rendition since Colosseum/XD, this game fulfills the wishes those games dreamed of. While maybe underdeveloped, it’s not ugly or underhwelming. There were no textures and objects to operate from, aside from X/Y/Sun/Moon monster designs. This is the first modern rendition of Pokemon in 3D, it serves in its flashy and expressive gloat. - As for the story, I can’t speak to that. I have not completed the game. BUT. Sun and Moon earned the worst story award. If you don’t tout through the game gingerly, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Pokemon in the context of Shield/Sword is meant to be played more like the pace of a slice of life game. In summation, you will enjoy this game if you like to take your time but not if you like to play through competitively and fast. If you want a fulfilling Pokemon experience instead of a jam-packed Pomemon experience, you’ll enjoy this game.… Expand
  81. Somonoxide
    Nov 16, 2019
    7
    The wheel hasn’t been reinvented. No giant leap forward.

    However! If your a Pokemon series fan this will satisfy your itch. Wild zone has huge potential for future games. Gyms are back with fun “all be it simple” puzzles. The games still aimed at kids, it always will be.... And tbh how many people actually completed the National Dex anyway.
  82. RandomS0lar
    Nov 18, 2019
    7
    It's an average game and although I thought what game freak did was wrong, I thought it was a pretty decent game. I'm neutral on the national dex because I feel bad for the people that got affected by this but at the same time it doesn't really affect me. I liked the new pokemon and the dark type gym but, I wasn't a fan of Hop. He seemed a little annoying and some of the facial design inIt's an average game and although I thought what game freak did was wrong, I thought it was a pretty decent game. I'm neutral on the national dex because I feel bad for the people that got affected by this but at the same time it doesn't really affect me. I liked the new pokemon and the dark type gym but, I wasn't a fan of Hop. He seemed a little annoying and some of the facial design in this game feels out of place.… Expand
  83. Rare289
    Dec 12, 2019
    7
    So, let's just get this out of the way: the story is very meh. To be frank, I haven't felt as engaged with a Pokemon story in a while, with the last time I actually enjoyed one being in Pokemon X and Y. But this go around, I feel like this is mainly do to the lackluster characters involved in the story. Not to mention that, rather than let my character get more involved in theSo, let's just get this out of the way: the story is very meh. To be frank, I haven't felt as engaged with a Pokemon story in a while, with the last time I actually enjoyed one being in Pokemon X and Y. But this go around, I feel like this is mainly do to the lackluster characters involved in the story. Not to mention that, rather than let my character get more involved in the mystery/world-ending phenomenon, it just gets pushed aside so that I can "continue my journey while the adults take care of stuff". Aside from that, what did save this game for me was the new quality of life improvements, the Wild Area, Surprise Trade and the new Pokemon from the Galar region. I love Dreepy, Grapploct and Boltund, but all the other new Pokemon are cool and unique in their own ways and in their designs. Especially since I found Sun and Moon's new pokemon to be pretty bland, Shield really did impress me with it's Pokemon. And I've put tons of hours into just exploring the Wild Area, doing Max Raids, and doing tons of surprise trades with people. And, I've got to admit, I've had fun. This is still a fun and enjoyable Pokemon game. I would say try it out before completely rejecting it, but I do hope that we can see and even better game, with an actually good story, in the next generation. Not sure if I'll write a Sword review, but it will probably be similar to this.… Expand
  84. Insight_Sami
    Jan 4, 2020
    7
    I like pokemon shield,but it lag.
    Bruhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    I love pokemon!!!!
    I don't know what i can write.
  85. BlockXI
    Jan 31, 2020
    6
    It's Pokémon, which I like and I do enjoy these games. But it's the worst games in the series (except for VGC). No graphical upgrade worth the name, no evolution on gameplay but a new price tag for being on console. I like it, and it's a total cash grab.
  86. Maxtron
    Feb 12, 2020
    7
    A good game but it falls in some parts like in the main game it seems that is unfinished an the climax appears from non-where; the graphics are not the same quality as the other games from the console. But at the end is fun, I would recommend it? Only if you are a big Pokémon fan.
  87. MonkdemMan
    Feb 20, 2020
    7
    Ok gamefreak didn't really push the boat out too far and kinda played it safe. Fanboys giving it a zero need to get a life. This is a game made for all ages and all level of "fans" not the obsessive angry weirdos. Its exactly what I expected from a pokemon game. Travel a decent looking world catch all the pokemon take on gyms ect. I like the graphics not every game needs high detail theOk gamefreak didn't really push the boat out too far and kinda played it safe. Fanboys giving it a zero need to get a life. This is a game made for all ages and all level of "fans" not the obsessive angry weirdos. Its exactly what I expected from a pokemon game. Travel a decent looking world catch all the pokemon take on gyms ect. I like the graphics not every game needs high detail the art work works. The sounds is more of the same and can't say I'm a fan of the music.
    I had a good time with pokemon shield it's an innocent piece of my childhood bought to a colourful great map. It's not a perfect masterpiece but should we really expect that from a game that is made for ages 3 and upwards. I can enjoy it and so can my kids.... when I eventually have some    … Expand
  88. TheFanOfFans
    Mar 11, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So I thought that this game was pretty cool, but has many flaws. First off, the national dex doesn't bother me. It can be a game breaker if you want to use your favorite Pokemon. However I like using the new ones the most, and to anyone on the fence about the game because of this. I say get it and just try some new Pokemon, you might find a new favorite! Now the game is slow paced. The main characters will stop you over, and over. This is definitely a damper on the experience as a whole as when you want to go somewhere you are almost guaranteed to be stopped by a character. The graphics are nice when in towns and on the routes. Nothing crazy, but sometimes the towns actually look great. But in the Wild Area stuff goes downhill. The graphics aren't too great. The tree's look very strange and pokemon pop in and out (though this is an issue with the whole game). In the Wild Area you can do these Dynamax pokemon battles. These I am a bit mixed on. Once you beat the game most if not all raids are 5 stars. This means they put up their shield multiple times. The shields in my opinion aren't very good. A Dynamax pokemon deals 2 bars, while regular does 1. If there is 1 bar, a dynmax pokemon wastes it's attack and still only does one. This wouldn't be an issue except it wastes 1 of your 3 turns in as a Dynamax. Also the CPU players aren't to great. I'll get to the online after this but just know that you get the same pool of CPU Pokemon and it can feel really bad when one just keeps using stat boosters. Now the online (at least for me) is very hit or miss. Sometimes when I try to trade it takes a while to connect, other times it's almost instant. It definitely works more then it doesn't, but that's just something to keep in mind. The gameplay is great, it's just pokemon. The gyms this time are the best they have ever been, definitely a highlight. After you beat the game you can make tournaments with the gym leaders and that is constantly fun. Now there isn't much of a story in this game. Basically Leon and Sonia get most of the action and just tell you about all the crazy stuff that happened. Towards the end stuff starts picking up and you fight one of the Legendary Pokemon. The scaling of him was very weird though. His size seemed to change a lot. Overall I don't mind the lack of story, it would have been nice though and if you want one this game will not deliver. The difficulty is a bit too easy, but I've come to expect that with Pokemon at this point. I might have left some things out, but overall, it's a fun experience that has it's faults. Get it at a discount because $60 is a bit to much.… Expand
  89. Vinnyyy
    Mar 18, 2020
    5
    I've played over 200 hours of this game I got enjoyment from this game, the competitiveness of this game is great the rest is kinda **** this game was obviously rushed also the dlc should be free wait for this game to go on sale 60 bucks aint worth it
  90. Snowtooth
    Mar 24, 2020
    5
    I loved this game, it was different than any of the past games. I was crazy impressed with a number of the new podex, I also loved cooking it was something I hadn't imagined seeing. Good job Game freak
  91. RichSwish
    Apr 21, 2020
    6
    I don't have that much problem with the 400 pokemon, its sad and I understand why others are mad too. The main problem I think we should all be mad about is the fact that Gamefreak said the reason there are 400 pokemon is because they wanted to make other aspects of the game better. Take a look at the tree texture you are introduced to right away. That explains it. To me it doesn't feelI don't have that much problem with the 400 pokemon, its sad and I understand why others are mad too. The main problem I think we should all be mad about is the fact that Gamefreak said the reason there are 400 pokemon is because they wanted to make other aspects of the game better. Take a look at the tree texture you are introduced to right away. That explains it. To me it doesn't feel that much of a pokemon game, but it is OK. Not worth 60 dollars. Also a buggy mess at times, still OK story, and basically a below average pokemon game. If I had a problem with the National Dex issues, this review would be a 4.… Expand
  92. rireefrif
    Apr 19, 2020
    6
    this game is quite enjoyable, end up binge playing it for 30 hours-ish before finishing the whole "story" part. the cooking feature is actually not as dumb as i thought, it's actually kinda fun completing the dex. but other than that, it's still just an ok game, not bad, but not that good either in my opinion.
  93. Andydoo
    Apr 19, 2020
    6
    It's really not as bad as people make it out to be. Sure, it's got an underwhelming... well, everything, but it's not painfully bad in most regards.

    It's not as good as Sun and Moon or Black and White, which I believe to be the best the series has to offer, and while it has no right being any worse than these, it's not really that huge a deal compared to everything else. I hate to say    It's really not as bad as people make it out to be. Sure, it's got an underwhelming... well, everything, but it's not painfully bad in most regards.

    It's not as good as Sun and Moon or Black and White, which I believe to be the best the series has to offer, and while it has no right being any worse than these, it's not really that huge a deal compared to everything else. I hate to say that "people only hate it because it's popular", but people really bandwagonned on hating this game because most people who played this hadn't played a Pokemon game before it. It's really harmless.

    While the story is kinda bland and really, really bad, I think the characters are some of the strongest in the series. This game has some high highs when it comes to animations, but it also has some low lows. The character animations in battle and in Pokemon Camp are genuinely really charming, especially the gym leaders which are likely the most human-feeling gym leaders in the entire series.

    The battle system is the same as it's always been, and while I am against that notion of "don't fix what isn't broken" in RPGs, that doesn't mean it's not fun. Because it's fun. But it's the same fun as it was before. Dynamax offers no real difference in strategy, especially since you always know when the opponents are gonna use it and it's basically just a guaranteed win if you use it right (which, again, is very easy). But it's still Pokemon, and I still think it's great.

    My friend wasn't sure about it after he saw all the bad publicity, but once he got it he really, really liked it. He still noticed all the things that held it back, but ultimately most of it didn't matter because he was having fun. And that's sorta the same thing that happened to me. I own a copy of every game in the series (or at least one game of each pair for each generation) and I still had a grand ole' time with Pokemon Shield. Don't get me wrong, probably every bad thing people say about it is totally true and it's still an objectively bad game, but you'll have fun with it. If you like filling the Pokedex, congratulations, it's so much easier now and more fun because of that. Sure, the Dex cut is still heartbreaking and unnecessary, but if you're not someone who's got a full living Dex from other games, this really won't matter to you in the slightest past, "I wish {this Pokemon} was in this game."    … Expand
  94. Azzytap
    Apr 26, 2020
    6
    I’ll keep this short because most of what I’ll say has probably been said before.

    Graphics were not up to snuff, animations were wonky, and the removal of so many Pokémon is an insult to fans. This would have been fine if this was a fangame or spinoff but for a full on main title this is embarrassing. But otherwise it was a totally fine Pokémon game. Not great, but the new gym leaders    I’ll keep this short because most of what I’ll say has probably been said before.

    Graphics were not up to snuff, animations were wonky, and the removal of so many Pokémon is an insult to fans. This would have been fine if this was a fangame or spinoff but for a full on main title this is embarrassing. But otherwise it was a totally fine Pokémon game. Not great, but the new gym leaders are some of the best in any Pokémon game, they did try to add some new mechanics, and the story was decent.    … Expand
  95. BrunoMacielS
    Apr 29, 2020
    7
    I really had a very high expectation for this pokemon. Unfortunately it is a good game but not what I expected.
  96. Daichigo
    Jun 21, 2020
    5
    Lack of an interest story, no real postgame even with the dlc, no interest explotation, very lineal, lazy game design. Still I had fun but there is nothing new here.
  97. Arturos
    Jul 1, 2020
    7
    Fun game to play with friend a family, if you are a big pokemon fan but it.
  98. LucarioSmash246
    Sep 1, 2020
    7
    Lets get this out of the way: I get why people might not like the fact that not all the Pokemon are in the game but that alone doesn't make it terrible. There is still enough mons to play with and alternate between. As for the graphics, I do agree that some of the textures aren't great but there are some good or great ones too like the caves, cities, and forests. The main characters haveLets get this out of the way: I get why people might not like the fact that not all the Pokemon are in the game but that alone doesn't make it terrible. There is still enough mons to play with and alternate between. As for the graphics, I do agree that some of the textures aren't great but there are some good or great ones too like the caves, cities, and forests. The main characters have great arcs and personality and Gym leaders are interesting to listen to and aren't only standing at the end of the gym like some of the other games do while also having personality. All the pokemon designs are either fantastic or just okay and the pokemon animations are either really awesome or bland. I like the activities you can do in the game like the Max Raids and the timed bicycle runs. The Wild area is a great idea though it really needs to be expanded upon(i don't mean size of the area). The only things that i'm not a big fan of is the Y-comm ,though I do like the idea of what it is and it just doesn't update very well, and having a little more people in the bigger cites as well as being able to look at more in said cities. Overall, I think Sword and Shield are good games but not fantastic games and believe they can do better. I don't think they are bad games since they still work and play well. They just aren't groundbreaking games.… Expand
  99. ScottishFan013
    Apr 2, 2022
    5
    Bruh, The Pokedex was the problem, i dunno why, but i like the characters than Pokemon
  100. ZYMROD
    Nov 25, 2022
    7
    El juego prometía mucho pero al final se quedo en nada, solo fue una actualización grafica de 3DS y con arboles de PS1. Si hubiese salido con todos sus DLCs incluidos, hubiera sido mas amena la experiencia y no seria decepcionante por su escaso contenido. Las mecánicas Dynamax son entretenidas en el competitivo, siendo lo mas destacable gracias a la propia comunidad.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best Switch Game of 2019
3
#3 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 89 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 89
  3. Negative: 0 out of 89
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Apr 30, 2020
    90
    Sword & Shield have a lot to love for old and new fans, and they're pure quality from top to bottom. [Issue #44 – January/February 2020, p. 72]
  2. GameCritics
    Feb 6, 2020
    75
    I enjoyed my time with Pokemon Sword and Shield, but I ended feeling conflicted. I appreciate many of the changes and felt that it generally respected my time, but I almost felt like a passive participant. The more complex gym challenges had a meatier role, but the narrative shouldn’t have been shoved to the side. Overall, I would recommend it to players who want to have a Pokemon experience, but this one won’t stick with me the way the older ones have.
    Read full review
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Jan 14, 2020
    78
    Pokemon Sword/Shield is uncharacteristically user-friendly: now there’s no need to backtrack half across the world to heal your entire team of pokemon or to get to a particular city, for example. [Issue#242, p.66]
See all critic reviews »