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
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  1. Mordgesr
    Jul 21, 2020
    6
    This is my first game in the Pokémon series, so I cannot compare it with the previous installments. For a beginner, this is a good game that allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of adventure that was in the old anime series.
  2. pinkdino1
    Jun 19, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. for the first main Pokemon title for a big system, the game is very mhe.

    the new pokemon are good, with a lot of ones i like.
    but the story is very underwhelming. every time it starts to get interesting, the someone tells you not to worry about it and just go to the next gym.

    it also doesn't help the final boss is a guy so worried about something that won't affect the region for almost 1000 years, that he can't wait one day for the champion to do something then come help him with his plan.

    the gimic of this game, dinamaxing, also isn't as fun as i thought it would be. yes its neat to encounter large wild pokemon, but outside battling the gym leaders, the tournament, and maybe 3-4 random times, the gimic isn't used. its a water down mega evolution mixed with Z-moves.
    (even worse is both Charizard and Gengar have new forms dispight already having megas)

    its a good simple game, but not much more then that. (this review is not counting DLC)    … Expand
  3. jona000100
    Jun 21, 2020
    7
    el juego es decente pero pudo hacerse mejor las graficas en algunos puntos en estan bien en otros no las animaciones pocas son buenas y reusan demasiado contenido de sol y luna pero en general es disfrutable y tiene el mejor competitivo de la saga en mi humilde opinion
  4. Danielife
    Jun 22, 2020
    7
    This game is fun, the story is good, even though I didn't like the end. Every character has their own personality. GF always gets better with characters, story and OST in new games. New Pokémon are very cute, they all are very caracteristic. BUT, this game has lots of problems that distract you from the good points. Of course, graphics and animation, those are very bad, and they can'tThis game is fun, the story is good, even though I didn't like the end. Every character has their own personality. GF always gets better with characters, story and OST in new games. New Pokémon are very cute, they all are very caracteristic. BUT, this game has lots of problems that distract you from the good points. Of course, graphics and animation, those are very bad, and they can't justify the choose of Dex Cut... I honestly don't really care about that, but the Cut was done so GF could improve graphics and animations, which has not been done. There are also problems with how they hand backgrounds... for example, there are 2 battles with a character on 2 different bridges, but only 1 of that has the bridge background. So I think this game was done in 1 year, without lots of quality checks. The online wasn't clearly test, because it's terrible. And this is a big problem for a game with a poor post game.… Expand
  5. Darkmagician13
    Jul 22, 2020
    6
    As a massive pokemon fan this surely has been the most disappointing main game yet. The fact that game freak is making us pay extra to "catch them all" the lazy animation and some lazy graphics too. Also the story and plot are really boring and the villain has to be the less memorable of them all.
    On the other hand, the game has a beautiful soundtrack and the multiplayer raids it's    As a massive pokemon fan this surely has been the most disappointing main game yet. The fact that game freak is making us pay extra to "catch them all" the lazy animation and some lazy graphics too. Also the story and plot are really boring and the villain has to be the less memorable of them all.
    On the other hand, the game has a beautiful soundtrack and the multiplayer raids it's something that really is appreciated.
    The champion is actually great, with some charisma and it's actually pretty hard to beat unlike other champions before.
    Overall it's a mesh game, not to bad but not too good.    … Expand
  6. Neku_Tennyson
    Jun 26, 2020
    5
    Pokemon Gen VIII/8 is some mixed feelings for me at its core it's a Pokemon game but doesn't really improve on anything its basically the same formula since the beginning of the franchise. The new addition is the wild area which is great but what's not great so you can't catch a pokemon that's slightly higher level then your pokemon like if your Pokemon is level 28 you can't catch a levelPokemon Gen VIII/8 is some mixed feelings for me at its core it's a Pokemon game but doesn't really improve on anything its basically the same formula since the beginning of the franchise. The new addition is the wild area which is great but what's not great so you can't catch a pokemon that's slightly higher level then your pokemon like if your Pokemon is level 28 you can't catch a level 32 Pokemon, which in my opinion is very dumb. I think The Pokemon Compay should get another company to handle the mainline Pokemon games due to Gamefreak just being done with Pokemon. Gamefreak did handle all the work but I think their workers would be super tired of doing franchise over 20+ years yes I did repeat myself but this needs to be addressed, I'm excited that they are doing DLC instead of making other versions of the Gen 8 games so maybe this a step in the right direction. Oh another thing I didn't like is we lost Megas do to lets make Pokemon gigantic so I hope that for the DLC we get Megas back… Expand
  7. Luts1224
    Nov 30, 2020
    6
    A really basic RPG. Nothing special about it. A few fun moments. Poor graphics. Poor story.
  8. KeybladeHero_05
    Jun 29, 2023
    7
    This game is okay. The only thing I'm going to talk about are the absence of voice acting to some parts of the game. It felt really weird during my first playthrough and I'm sure that I'll feel the same after going through my second attempt.

    The raids however is amazing and honestly, that's the only redeeming thing this game has. A good way to grind via EXP Candies because shared EXP is    This game is okay. The only thing I'm going to talk about are the absence of voice acting to some parts of the game. It felt really weird during my first playthrough and I'm sure that I'll feel the same after going through my second attempt.

    The raids however is amazing and honestly, that's the only redeeming thing this game has. A good way to grind via EXP Candies because shared EXP is a nightmare. If you're playing it for the first time and you don't have any time for grinding, go do the raid den as much as possible.    … Expand
  9. Bahethoven
    Jul 2, 2020
    5
    the game is lackluster and they held back pokemon for the 2DLCS....and the one dlc that realised was bad
  10. rparzial
    Jul 3, 2020
    5
    I really wanted to enjoy this game. I ignored all the bad reviews and bought it anyway to give it a fair shake.

    BUT the game is just not a good game. It did some things well, and had some nice additions, but overall the game took 2 steps forward and 5 steps back. The magic and spirit of Pokemon is missing. The biggest complaint is how easy the game is. It's so easy, that it    I really wanted to enjoy this game. I ignored all the bad reviews and bought it anyway to give it a fair shake.

    BUT the game is just not a good game. It did some things well, and had some nice additions, but overall the game took 2 steps forward and 5 steps back. The magic and spirit of Pokemon is missing.

    The biggest complaint is how easy the game is. It's so easy, that it completely ruins any enjoyment of the game, everything seems inconsequential. From gym battles to even catching "rare" pokemon.

    Between EXP share always being on, and the EXP candies, the game is near broken. And in the DLC you get an EXP charm boosting EXP even further. I barely fight trainers or wild pokemon. Much less than you would have to in say gen 1-4, and i am 10-20 levels higher than every gym or trainer. I could EASILY be 30-50 levels higher if i grinded for even an hour on Raid battles for EXP candies. I just about 1 shot every single pokemon i face, even without type advantages.

    You CAN avoid the EXP candies, but you shouldn't have to set obstacles by omitting features of the game to get enjoyment. And without them, the EXP share is still too overpowered and can't be turned off.

    Everything down to the smallest detail is dumbed down. Gen 1-5 your rival always chose the starter that had a type advantage against you. In this game the rival chooses so YOU have a type advantage against him making it even easier. Your move selection tells you what is super effective, or not effective now. It's like they thought of every possible way to hold your hand.

    This is completely avoiding the other issues it has as well like the national dex cut, the poor performance of the game, DLC just to get all pokemon, bland story, etc.

    I could forgive ALL of that, if the game was challenging and fun. But it just isn't :(

    I can only hope they learn and make the next game better. Because the potential and possibilities are endless on the switch for pokemon. To those saying "Pokemon was always easy", sure it was easier than some other RPG's, but you still needed to grind and be smart about your pokemon/move choices. And i don't know a single person who NEVER got wiped out by a trainer at least a few times over the first few games.    … Expand
  11. Palletown
    Jul 5, 2020
    5
    Nice but not enough.
    The new adventure starts as every generation, it is impossible to contain the hype as you are in a new region, you meet new characters and so on. The problem starts with the unbalanced battles and the lack of interest to keep on playing, why? Well, basically the game rush through the main story, suddenly characters burst out of nowhere with no reason at all ( as    Nice but not enough.
    The new adventure starts as every generation, it is impossible to contain the hype as you are in a new region, you meet new characters and so on. The problem starts with the unbalanced battles and the lack of interest to keep on playing, why? Well, basically the game rush through the main story, suddenly characters burst out of nowhere with no reason at all ( as Oleanna being wicked towards you). The only character who deserves our attention, is Hop, he grows at the same time we grow and he end up being an amazing rival.
    Anyway, GF put all their efforts in this game, but still is not enough to what habitual players are looking for and how the game feels like a long demo and not a complete game. Therefore, the Galar experience turns into something boring and when you end the main story, there is nothing more to do in the game, like back in the first generation.
    In conclusion, as a huge Pokemon fan, this game is not that bad as to receive such bad critics, but somehow it fails in the main story and the experience of training your pokemon as the Exp share in this generation makes the game a complete joke    … Expand
  12. DantiDurum
    Jul 20, 2020
    7
    Esta nueva edición de Pokémon nos ha traído cosas muy buenas como la música, los diseños de las criaturas, los mejorados gimnasios y una mayor facilidad para introducirse al mundo del competitivo. A su vez, estas cosas buenas vienen acompañadas de otras horribles como los gráficos, que son bastante flojos para una Switch; algunas animaciones y texturas o incluso la historia del propioEsta nueva edición de Pokémon nos ha traído cosas muy buenas como la música, los diseños de las criaturas, los mejorados gimnasios y una mayor facilidad para introducirse al mundo del competitivo. A su vez, estas cosas buenas vienen acompañadas de otras horribles como los gráficos, que son bastante flojos para una Switch; algunas animaciones y texturas o incluso la historia del propio juego, la cual no tiene consistencia.… Expand
  13. emilyratesgames
    Nov 20, 2020
    7
    Score: 7
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  14. anxotheboss
    Jul 21, 2020
    7
    Pkmn Shield and Sword are not bad games, they're pretty acceptable Pkmn games, but the problem is that we've been playing the same type of games for two decades. Pkmn needs a big change as Zelda has done with Botw. And Nintendo Switch is the perfect platform for this change. I seriously ask Game Freak and The Pkmn Company to try something new with this franchise. In addition, I think thisPkmn Shield and Sword are not bad games, they're pretty acceptable Pkmn games, but the problem is that we've been playing the same type of games for two decades. Pkmn needs a big change as Zelda has done with Botw. And Nintendo Switch is the perfect platform for this change. I seriously ask Game Freak and The Pkmn Company to try something new with this franchise. In addition, I think this game could be very better in technical aspects, it looks like a 3ds game with HD resolution, while there are other games on Switch like Mario Odyssey, Zelda BOTW, Mario+Rabbids or Doom that look amazing.… Expand
  15. ShaddowMaann
    Aug 3, 2020
    6
    I think there is alot of negative reviews here the game isn't bad but its not amazing its a pokemon game with open world which is pretty cool but battles are too easy
  16. Cormacd69
    Mar 7, 2021
    6
    It’s easy to hate on the game because of the graphics, however even if the graphics were better, would this be a memorable experience? In what is in my opinion are worst the worst games to date, Pokemon must wake up and realise it needs to take a leaf out of it’s book and evolve. From a boring world and open area with next to no little grooves and hidden areas to explore, to the theIt’s easy to hate on the game because of the graphics, however even if the graphics were better, would this be a memorable experience? In what is in my opinion are worst the worst games to date, Pokemon must wake up and realise it needs to take a leaf out of it’s book and evolve. From a boring world and open area with next to no little grooves and hidden areas to explore, to the the abysmal and uninteresting story, these games are a hugely disappointing and lazy entry in the franchise. The open area seeks to be something intriguing but instead is a mess, where Pokemon only roam wild when you are close enough for them to pop in, the first encounters may amaze you but it grows old very fast. The DLC adds more to the wild area idea and is definitely a more polished and likeable wild area(s). However these games have let themselves down hugely nonetheless.… Expand
  17. Crisener
    Sep 9, 2020
    6
    Pokemon formula has been proving to be timeless for many generations of consoles. Here we are, at the brink of a new decade, with Pokemon being the highest-grossing media franchise of all time, and yet it seems like for a good and polished game we will have to wait another few years.
    Every part of the game feels like it's unpolished in some way, the story is predictable and not    Pokemon formula has been proving to be timeless for many generations of consoles. Here we are, at the brink of a new decade, with Pokemon being the highest-grossing media franchise of all time, and yet it seems like for a good and polished game we will have to wait another few years.
    Every part of the game feels like it's unpolished in some way, the story is predictable and not interesting in the slightest and there are many additions which feel unnecessary, and the resources put to make them appear in the game could have been directed to making graphics look better or making multiplayer work intuitively.
    If you haven't played any Pokemon game for some time, go and grab this one (the best option being resale), as it still is a fun game. The Pokemon mechanics still work really well in 2020, the thrill of catching new monsters and making a team is still there, and the new Pokemon designs are very well done. It's just that Pokemon deserve better and releasing a game like that considering the franchise's position is just outrageous. It may not necessarily be Game Freak's fault, maybe they've done the best they could, and it's the pressure or lack of support from Nintendo or The Pokemon Company that resulted in all of this. But something definitely needs to change.    … Expand
  18. Agiru2003
    Jul 28, 2020
    5
    (I'm sorry for my bad English, but I'm Italian)

    +FOR > The new Pokémon designs are fantastic, I love almost all of them > OSTs are the best in the series > I quite liked the main characters, they're very well written (except Chairman Rose) -AGAINST > Graphics and animations are REALLY bad. It looks like a N64 game > The plot had excellent potential, but it turned out to be the usual    (I'm sorry for my bad English, but I'm Italian)

    +FOR
    > The new Pokémon designs are fantastic, I love almost all of them
    > OSTs are the best in the series
    > I quite liked the main characters, they're very well written (except Chairman Rose)

    -AGAINST
    > Graphics and animations are REALLY bad. It looks like a N64 game
    > The plot had excellent potential, but it turned out to be the usual predictable and poorly written story
    > Dexit
    > The main campaing is only 15 hours long, while older games (like HGSS or BW) lasted something like 40 hours
    > Galar is a terrible region, due to its lacking level design > This game's E A S Y. I haven't lost even once
    > They removed MegaEvolutions and Z-Moves for Dynamax, the least inspired novelty in the series
    > The online is horrible
    > If you wanna enjoy a full experience you have ti pay 300$ (Switch) + 60$ (Pokémon Sword or Shield) + 18$ (Pokémon HOME) + 30$ (DLC). More than 400$ for this bad game.    … Expand
  19. EatMyMayo
    Jul 29, 2020
    6
    I think having a mainline Pokemon game on Switch is awesome, and overall I have had a good time with the game. I am well over 150 hours into the game and I enjoy my time shiny hunting and completing my Pokedex. However, the story for this game was atrocious...it was the most mind numbing, hand holding experience that I have ever had in gaming. At every corner I was being told to go do thisI think having a mainline Pokemon game on Switch is awesome, and overall I have had a good time with the game. I am well over 150 hours into the game and I enjoy my time shiny hunting and completing my Pokedex. However, the story for this game was atrocious...it was the most mind numbing, hand holding experience that I have ever had in gaming. At every corner I was being told to go do this or go do that, and I was given little freedom to explore and do the game at my own pace. Hop is also super annoying to the point where I would dread going into new towns or going into gym challenges. Besides the story the game is pretty good in my opinion and I hope that GameFreak can pull their act together and make a really great game in the next couple of years.… Expand
  20. Jose-Colon
    Oct 3, 2020
    7
    Es un juego hermoso gráficamente comparado con los anteriores. Me encantaron los nuevos pokemon y las nuevas dinámicas dinamax, pero el juego tiene muchos errores y la historia es pésima, llega el momento dónde piensa que la historia no tiene importancia, parece cómo si hubiera cortado la historia para sacar el juego antes de tiempo. Con la expansión de armadura arreglan un poco algunasEs un juego hermoso gráficamente comparado con los anteriores. Me encantaron los nuevos pokemon y las nuevas dinámicas dinamax, pero el juego tiene muchos errores y la historia es pésima, llega el momento dónde piensa que la historia no tiene importancia, parece cómo si hubiera cortado la historia para sacar el juego antes de tiempo. Con la expansión de armadura arreglan un poco algunas cosas, pero esa mala historia daño el juego.… Expand
  21. Reed_Reviews
    Oct 28, 2020
    5
    For everything this game does well, it does another thing poorly. There is now a wide-open wild area full of realistic encounters that reduce the tedium of random encounters, but every other route in the game is painfully linear and short. Combat added the new gigantimax gameplay addition to make battles bombastic, but gigantimax is not a particularly strategic core gameplay mechanic. GymFor everything this game does well, it does another thing poorly. There is now a wide-open wild area full of realistic encounters that reduce the tedium of random encounters, but every other route in the game is painfully linear and short. Combat added the new gigantimax gameplay addition to make battles bombastic, but gigantimax is not a particularly strategic core gameplay mechanic. Gym leader battles are now epic with well crafted game feel elements, but there is no Elite Four. Most of the new Pokémon are great, but many of the old Pokémon do not make an appearance. Towns take cultural inspirations from England, but there is hardly any interactivity with those towns.

    Best part of the game: the gym leader battles.
    Worst part of the game: the barebones story and heavy-handed dialogue.    … Expand
  22. hector_bcn98
    Oct 31, 2022
    6
    +
    Fórmula Pokemon, funciona y divierte.
    Muchísimos pokemons a ser capturados y criados. Las áreas silvestres pueden suponer un reto, ya que hay pokemons de todos los niveles. - Gráficamente es para echarse a llorar, de lo peor de la consola. Es para despedir a cada uno de los trabajadores de Game Freaks y otorgarles el premio al vago del año. Inadmisible en un AAA. 0 interés en    +
    Fórmula Pokemon, funciona y divierte.
    Muchísimos pokemons a ser capturados y criados.
    Las áreas silvestres pueden suponer un reto, ya que hay pokemons de todos los niveles.

    -
    Gráficamente es para echarse a llorar, de lo peor de la consola. Es para despedir a cada uno de los trabajadores de Game Freaks y otorgarles el premio al vago del año. Inadmisible en un AAA.
    0 interés en completar la pokédex invirtiendo una descomunal cantidad de horas en conseguir todos los pokemons para que la recompensa sea nula.
    Las incursiones no funcionan y suponen una pérdida de tiempo inmensa.
    La franquicia pide a gritos una revolución. La habrá? No lo creo.    … Expand
  23. sera1
    Nov 17, 2020
    5
    Pretty small step from the 3DS version, a game for a console that is capable of a game like Zelda BOTW shouldn't just be stamped off with a 3DS-Feeling game. The big cut in the Pokedex is my opinion a big mistake, compared to all the reused skins it just feels lazy. I wouldn't mind the cut if we got some new and awesome sprites for the new Pokemon, but everything here seems pretty reused.Pretty small step from the 3DS version, a game for a console that is capable of a game like Zelda BOTW shouldn't just be stamped off with a 3DS-Feeling game. The big cut in the Pokedex is my opinion a big mistake, compared to all the reused skins it just feels lazy. I wouldn't mind the cut if we got some new and awesome sprites for the new Pokemon, but everything here seems pretty reused. Another big nope from me is the lame world, the potential of the nature zone isn't used fully and the lack of content on the routes is just a disaster, boring walks and some couple of fights aren't what i call a "long time adventure". This feels also approved by the fact that EP sharing is always on, there no need to grind before gym fights. Overall its not a bad game but it has its own fight with many missing content, like who thought its a good idea to cut the GTS and put it on a phone app?? Pokemon Shield just gives me the feeling of "laziness" and "filling the market with a new entry". Gamefreak could and can do better. Also i would prefer a open world game like Borderlands, big free explorable areas. after playing this game, ike i read it in many other reviews i don't think Gamefreak is ready for a open world game like BOTW.… Expand
  24. leeaw
    Jan 8, 2021
    5
    I can best describe this game as "it's Pokemon, again!" And while Pokemon is good, this entry feels very, very tired. Yes, it has made some improvements over prior entries, the core gameplay is the same, with all of the dated mechanics therein, rushed into what's at it's core just "another one"- though it admittedly does still preserve the good parts as well. The Pokemon series hasI can best describe this game as "it's Pokemon, again!" And while Pokemon is good, this entry feels very, very tired. Yes, it has made some improvements over prior entries, the core gameplay is the same, with all of the dated mechanics therein, rushed into what's at it's core just "another one"- though it admittedly does still preserve the good parts as well. The Pokemon series has essentially survived on changing very little between entries, but with the jump to much more powerful hardware, it feels more blatant than ever. I did have a fun time with the game at launch, but several playthroughs later, the cracks are definitely showing.
    If you're craving a new Pokemon story, sure. This is just that, and it does have some delightful elements- the exploration of the wild area was fantastic the first time around, and I'm a big fan of some of the new designs- it's the same structure, and it's beginning to rust. I can only hope Game Freak sees the criticism and is overhauling the series, because without, I can only worry the magic will become lost on the public as it now is on me, but with the sales numbers they got, I question whether they truly have the motivation to.    … Expand
  25. fed_up_nerd
    Dec 21, 2020
    6
    Expected way more, it was enjoyable but the mechanics and game design has not changed in two decades.
  26. Firekirb74
    Feb 19, 2022
    6
    Is this game the best PKMN game? Absolutely not. The story isn't that great, the game's map design is pretty terrible, and the game is rather easy overall. I don't mind the lack of the National Dex, but the graphics should definitely be better. There are also not many QoL features in this game. But, this is one of the best games for competitive battling, the characters are all great, theIs this game the best PKMN game? Absolutely not. The story isn't that great, the game's map design is pretty terrible, and the game is rather easy overall. I don't mind the lack of the National Dex, but the graphics should definitely be better. There are also not many QoL features in this game. But, this is one of the best games for competitive battling, the characters are all great, the Wild Area is super fun and enjoyable, and the music is bopping. I don't think this is the best thing in the world, but it certainly does not deserve this much hate.
    Gameplay: great 8/10
    Charm: 6/10
    Graphics: 4/10
    Sound: 9/10
    Other: 5/10
    Total Score: 6/10    … Expand
  27. Shadowsky101
    Jan 22, 2021
    7
    It‘s a fun game. It‘s Pokemon! But technical it‘s not the best. Gamefreak needed one Year more for this game. 7/10 is decent.
  28. cfc1998
    Feb 19, 2021
    5
    This is the worst Pokémon game ever. Gamefreak hited an all time low with this release. The game is to easy and the routes are just a joke, staight lines with no life and personality. The wild area was a good step forward but it feels like a missed opportunity. Lets not forget the graphics, after seeing Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild this game feels just like a Nintendo DS game thatThis is the worst Pokémon game ever. Gamefreak hited an all time low with this release. The game is to easy and the routes are just a joke, staight lines with no life and personality. The wild area was a good step forward but it feels like a missed opportunity. Lets not forget the graphics, after seeing Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild this game feels just like a Nintendo DS game that was port into the Switch. Pretty sad to see what this franchise has become.… Expand
  29. nowhy
    May 6, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The "plot" gets forgotten about halfway through the game, and when you're reminded that there's supposed to be a story, the champion tells you to mind your own business and keep getting gym badges. Then when the story gets decent, they tell you that Eternatus was awakened! Who or what is Eternatus? They don't tell you, and it's an insta-catch. This was a rushed game and it shows.… Expand
  30. GoPackGo08
    Jun 6, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I’ve been a Pokémon fan for almost a decade now, and this is the worst main line Pokémon game I have ever played. Even though this game isn’t inherently awful, I feel like the dev team should have spent a bit longer developing it. The biggest problem many have is the absence of the National Dex. This means that not every Pokémon from past games are in this game. This wouldn’t be a major problem to me, however, the lack of some Pokémon like Squirtle and Bulbasaur at launch really angered me, especially considering Charmander and it’s evolution line had a crucial role in the game. Now, Bulbasaur and Squirtle were added in the DLC, but I’ll hash my massive complaints about that later. The story in this game is incredibly weak. It uses the “create a new world” schtick like half the games before, but the villain was predictable, and it just seems stupid to me. I was ok with the way the villain Pokémon were defeated in the past but “Oh! Now two random dogs are helping us after they came from the woods where we saw them at the beginning, Wow!” Just pisses me off. Also, I laughed to hell and back when the characters Swordward and Shielbert came in, they just look SO STUPID. They have no reasons to exist in this game, other then to add a pointless postgame plot line. Now something I strongly disagree with other people about when it comes to this game is new Pokémon designs in the Galar Region. Even though it has some stinkers, Squovet, Dottler, the entire Galatians Meowth line, it also features some of the best designs in the history of the series. Yamper, Grookey, Corviknight, Copperajah, Hatterene, Runerigus, and so many more. I think the designs are amazing. With the review above, I would have given it a 7/10, and said fine. But the DLC was SO BAD, that I put it at five, and could have put it lower. This DLC is just ass. That’s it. The crown tundra was fine, but I hate Calyrex, and the music was just annoying. My real beef is with the Isle of Armor. Oh my god the isle of armor. It is the most boring, monotonous thing, I have ever played. The fact they locked this many Pokémon behind a paywall is really scummy to me, considering people already payed $60 for the game. Also, Kubrick and Urshifu look COMPLETELY DISGUSTING. I was really worried that one of them would get added into smash bros. It’s way too easy, and it would have been so much cooler if they had made it level scaling with the Pokémon in your party. I didn’t even finish Isle of armor, the first time I haven’t fully finished the story in any Pokémon game. It’s ok if you buy the game, just don’t buy the DLC.… Expand
  31. Fraxxo
    Sep 9, 2023
    5
    I think this one may be one of the worst mainline Pokémon ever created.
    Sure the game has some good concepts like the Wild Area, the camping and raids, but they are all bad executed and boring.
    The game is one of the most linear experience of the entire franchise, even more than the original Red and Green on Game Boy, and the game general design is bland, slow, uninteresting. After a few    I think this one may be one of the worst mainline Pokémon ever created.
    Sure the game has some good concepts like the Wild Area, the camping and raids, but they are all bad executed and boring.
    The game is one of the most linear experience of the entire franchise, even more than the original Red and Green on Game Boy, and the game general design is bland, slow, uninteresting. After a few hours in, there was nothing that motivated me to play the game more since all there was to know and do was throwed at the player face during the first hour and that was it. Nothing more is introduced after the first hours of gameplay, nothing. It never changes, it never tries to give you something new.
    The game is so easy, it's basically a button mashing game since your Pokémon will always be 15 or 20 levels over the average enemy.
    The only good thing about the game is that there's a decent degree of personalization, from your team of Pokémon to your character clothes, and catching 'em all is less frustrating than past games thanks to the high catch rate and how easy is to find any species.
    As for the story, it's mediocre even for the series standard: the character had potential that is just not used at all. Their only purpose is to get destroyed by the player.
    Kinda forgettable soundtrack (Idc Toby Fox made one OST, that's not gonna change the fact I don't remember 3/4 or the soundtrack), dull and lifeless art direction and the worst online interface I've ever saw in a videogame.
    Also, bad graphics, bad performance. A mess of a game...    … Expand
  32. Mark6440
    Jul 6, 2021
    5
    well it's not a secret that the game isn't to good, but its a chill game to just relax to its not that hard you can basically play the whole game without dying once and you don't have to be a pokemon expert to do so. The game is very new player friendly when in battle because it sometimes says what is super effective and what isn't. Pokémon shield isn't as good of a game as Pokémon blackwell it's not a secret that the game isn't to good, but its a chill game to just relax to its not that hard you can basically play the whole game without dying once and you don't have to be a pokemon expert to do so. The game is very new player friendly when in battle because it sometimes says what is super effective and what isn't. Pokémon shield isn't as good of a game as Pokémon black and white, but it does the job all though Pokémons can spawn right in your face when using the bike. which is annoying when you just wanna avoid them and get going in the story, i would much rather recommend Pokémon let's go Pikachua and eevee, even though they are a remaster of Pokémon Yellow.… Expand
  33. Christian_TV
    Apr 15, 2023
    6
    This game it's just what you expect from Game Freak.Nothing more,nothing less
  34. Satsoku
    Jan 8, 2023
    7
    I feel like this game gets a lot of criticism for the poor graphics more than anything else. To me personally however, the graphics are not as relevant if I'm being honest. The story was OK. The gameplay is focused around the traditional formula that fans of the series know and love by now. Even though the small issues that I had with it, this game managed to keep me busy for 200+ hours,I feel like this game gets a lot of criticism for the poor graphics more than anything else. To me personally however, the graphics are not as relevant if I'm being honest. The story was OK. The gameplay is focused around the traditional formula that fans of the series know and love by now. Even though the small issues that I had with it, this game managed to keep me busy for 200+ hours, so giving it anything less would be unfair.… Expand
  35. xSpOokie
    Dec 1, 2022
    6
    stop listening to this critics , the game is great , the graphics are a bit poor but the game is a lot of fun and the story is good , not the better , anyways the generation is so good have some pokemons who are so cool , people nowadays in nintendo always try to make something to give a game a poor rating , they want everything in a game , the cons in this game are the legendarys and thestop listening to this critics , the game is great , the graphics are a bit poor but the game is a lot of fun and the story is good , not the better , anyways the generation is so good have some pokemons who are so cool , people nowadays in nintendo always try to make something to give a game a poor rating , they want everything in a game , the cons in this game are the legendarys and the fact that the game is to easy , but yes if you're a pokemon fan YOU SHOULD buy this game! [UPDATE] after 2 years i replayed the game , after playing brilliant diamond and arceus to , for the record i love arceus 9/10 , after replaying the game , i can tell the game isnt that good , than i first writed , not talking about graphics , but talking about performance itself , a lot of fps drops , and when you connect to wifi to do raids , very laggy servers , the first time i didnt pay to much attention on the story but after replaying i have to say that the story is not that good , you get very confused even if you pay to much attention + is boring and one more thing that is extremely anoying is the fact that you constantly battling with your rival who btw is to much annoying , changing from 9/10 to a 6/10 , the only thing who is preventing me from putting red score is the pokedex , the pokedex was the reason who made me replay the game because the first time i played it i didnt use any of the new pokemons from this gen , and other thing that is preventing me to put score 5/10 is the world building , citys and the wild area + the gym leaders are well designed , concluding i dont change my opinion about the game , if you like pokemon i recommend you buying this game , because after all its still a pokemon game , the mechanics , the thing of training them and the gameplay itself is what can get you through the game and make you have fun , because is still pokemon and the essence is there , so yes if you are a pokemon fan you should buy this , its gonna get you those 25 hours of fun .… Expand
  36. LeGabrielUrbano
    Nov 21, 2022
    5
    The game has very good ideas that it did not know how to take advantage of, the high points are overshadowed by the lowest points, so the game remains a weak product, which hardly supports itself, it is a strong step back then the small advance that had been achieved in the seventh generation.
  37. eye-zitt
    Nov 23, 2022
    7
    The game is a little underwhelming, but overall I really appreciated my time with it and have put more hours into this game than almost any other.
  38. gian_pkr
    Dec 28, 2022
    7
    Animations model and graphic style is really good. Unfortunately this kind of gameplay starts to feel a bit old and repetitive. Performance are fine.
  39. LeJanman
    Nov 29, 2022
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Es ist ok. Ich hatte mein Spaß mit dem Games. Es hat sich aber am Ende nach nichts angefühlt, einfach nur hingeklatscht, als wären die Ideen ausgegangen wie man das Endgame machen soll.… Expand
  40. Luky1996
    Nov 30, 2022
    6
    Tecnicamente arretrato rispetto ai giochi contemporanei, comunque gradevole da giocare.
    I nuovi Pokémon sono molto belli e accattivanti.
  41. ColeEngo
    Nov 30, 2022
    5
    This game was the definition of okay. Nothing insane but nothing great. Just the same old pokemon.
  42. Dyl_lionaire
    Feb 10, 2023
    7
    I know, Its a travesty that I enjoy this game but Its true, I thought the new designs were kind of meh but the best designs are some of my favourites, the trainer designs were very unique and the gym battles were a good combination of Sun and Moon trials and the original battles. I didn't really care that they didn't have all the Pokémon and the story wasn't good, but I've got a lot ofI know, Its a travesty that I enjoy this game but Its true, I thought the new designs were kind of meh but the best designs are some of my favourites, the trainer designs were very unique and the gym battles were a good combination of Sun and Moon trials and the original battles. I didn't really care that they didn't have all the Pokémon and the story wasn't good, but I've got a lot of good memories playing this game, especially doing a nuzlocke.… Expand
  43. Cer2xrafa
    Aug 7, 2023
    6
    De los juegos que más he jugado en la switch, pero fue por una época de cuarentena, haciendo intercambios y combates onine continuamente, por ello, creo que es una experiencia remplazable, y no recomendaría jugar teniendo otros juegos mejores dentro la misma saga
  44. SANTIACO
    Jun 19, 2023
    5
    Un juego que deja mucho que desear. El juego carece de varios aspectos, empezando con el apartado gráfico y en las animaciones, además de que la historia de este juego es bastante lineal y sin profundidad. Aparte de que es la primera vez, que se agrega un DLC a un juego de Pokémon, que sinceramente no agrega nada llamativo y carece de contenido. Honestamente es un tropiezo de Gamefreak, elUn juego que deja mucho que desear. El juego carece de varios aspectos, empezando con el apartado gráfico y en las animaciones, además de que la historia de este juego es bastante lineal y sin profundidad. Aparte de que es la primera vez, que se agrega un DLC a un juego de Pokémon, que sinceramente no agrega nada llamativo y carece de contenido. Honestamente es un tropiezo de Gamefreak, el juego debió de ser algo revolucionario, ya que es uno de la saga principal y además se está lanzado para nintendo switch… Expand
  45. MasterGubbers
    Jul 11, 2023
    6
    Shield certainly has several flaws, but it also brings many new interesting Pokemon into the series. The biggest flaw is that you can blast through the game with seemingly no challenge, as it is easy to level up your Pokemon to level 60 before beatiflng the first couple of gyms. This ruins most of the game, but the Wild Area and new Pokemon make the game better.
  46. fnenamg
    Sep 8, 2023
    6
    Considering it's a product of Game Freak, it's somewhat acceptable.
  47. Killerpummkin
    Aug 10, 2023
    7
    Graphically, it is a change for the better. The wilderness area is a beta, it is very underused as for the story. Compared to the rest of the Pokemon games, it seems to be lacking in some aspects. I hope they use this base well for the future.
  48. assisjunior
    Aug 19, 2023
    5
    Although I had my fun it is really repetitive. After some time you just want to finish it and move on.
  49. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    7
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!! shield
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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.
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  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]
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