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. Danikyo-Inverso
    May 13, 2023
    10
    De lo mejor en toda la franquicia, y aunque no es tan bueno como la gloriosa 7ma generación, este juego supone un gran paso adelante en el aspecto gráfico y competitivo, con mas de 400 pokémon capturables, uno esta servido en cuanto a contenido se refiere, y aunque muchos digan lo contrario, las animaciones son de lo mejor en la saga
    Artísticamente hermoso.
  2. ThankUGamefreak
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    This is the most important review you will ever read on metacritic. These are the best games ever made. The criticisms are unfounded and dumbfounded. Why are you complaining about only having 400 pokemon to play as? Other RPGs like final fantasy and xenoblade and persona typically only have 7ish characters to play as. Yet people are upset about 400? Bad argument. Bad graphics? That's notThis is the most important review you will ever read on metacritic. These are the best games ever made. The criticisms are unfounded and dumbfounded. Why are you complaining about only having 400 pokemon to play as? Other RPGs like final fantasy and xenoblade and persona typically only have 7ish characters to play as. Yet people are upset about 400? Bad argument. Bad graphics? That's not true. These games are cartoony beautiful appealing graphics. They'retimeless. I think the Thanos snap of pokemon is the best thing to happen to the series. It exposes the fake fans and shows who really cares about pokemon. If you dislike these games then you need to purchase them again and try again. And if you don'tbuy them then dont talk. .… Expand
  3. Shaposa
    Nov 28, 2019
    10
    These games are absolutely fantastic. The Dynamax/Gigantamax mechanics are fun, the OST is fantastic, the characters are memorable and the visuals are stunning! Now. There are a few things keeping this game from a 10. There's a tiny bit of lag in some areas. Marnie doesn't feel developed enough. And the online can be **** sometimes (That's just because Nintendo Switch Online is hotThese games are absolutely fantastic. The Dynamax/Gigantamax mechanics are fun, the OST is fantastic, the characters are memorable and the visuals are stunning! Now. There are a few things keeping this game from a 10. There's a tiny bit of lag in some areas. Marnie doesn't feel developed enough. And the online can be **** sometimes (That's just because Nintendo Switch Online is hot garbage.). But there's a reason I'm giving it a 10 instead of the 9. To counteract the review bombing that this game is receiving.… Expand
  4. TheTrueFacts
    Nov 29, 2019
    10
    I wrote this whole big long reason for why I love Pokémon Sword and Shield over on Pokémon Sword but since I don’t want to waste another hour of my life I’ll summarize it. I like the story, characters, character development, Pokémon in it, and graphics.
  5. sheep455246
    Jul 13, 2020
    10
    After seeing the evolution of other Nintendo franchises in the Switch like "Mario Odyssey" and "Breath of the Wild", it is just lame to see Pokemon receive little to no evolution at all, it is a 3DS game with a Switch price tag.
  6. EllEll
    Jul 10, 2020
    10
    Great game for Pokémon fans I think the reason why the graphics are not so good is because they wanted to focus on the gameplay!!! Worth your time.
  7. MrGoombs
    Aug 21, 2020
    10
    it’s overhated it’s not a bad game or a good game but it’s still fun and that’s what matters i wouldn’t give it a 10/10 but i am to counteract the trolls in reality i’d give it a 8/10
  8. MagicMikey
    Aug 23, 2020
    10
    The absence of the National Dex in my opinion means nothing to me. Gen 3 didn't bother me when I couldn't trade up my boys then. The New Pokemon added in my opinion are some of the best in series. Most JRPG games let you have like 4-8 characters 400 is more than enough for me. The only problem I had with the game was the curry dex. Sword/Shield are leagues better than X/Y and Sun/MoonThe absence of the National Dex in my opinion means nothing to me. Gen 3 didn't bother me when I couldn't trade up my boys then. The New Pokemon added in my opinion are some of the best in series. Most JRPG games let you have like 4-8 characters 400 is more than enough for me. The only problem I had with the game was the curry dex. Sword/Shield are leagues better than X/Y and Sun/Moon and i'm very happy with gyms being back, the quality of life buffs when it come to breeding/training competitive Pokemon and now there’s no need to backtrack half across the world to heal your entire team… Expand
  9. 1t2e3w
    Nov 26, 2019
    10
    Honestly this is the most fun I’ve had playing a Pokémon game in a long time.
  10. Smars_gamer
    Jun 10, 2020
    10
    Muy buen juego, quizas sin el contenido completo usual, pero de igual manera causando la misma ganas de jugarlo horas y horas
  11. Henlol
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Game wasn't rate with the real point of view that the Game needed , Pokémon sw will be a Master piece in 5 years… Expand
  12. vuthom
    Jun 24, 2020
    10
    the new starters are awesome and best designs ever! gameplay has been enhanced so you have both easy to get into and deepest gameplay from any RPG you can find! must buy
  13. Leandroizoton
    Jun 25, 2020
    10
    Honestly, I don’t understand the Pokémon fandom sometimes. Pokémon Sword and Shield only flaw is a short history, that they are completing with two DLC costing half the price of a game, so even without the second half, is already the best Pokémon Game for me.
    The soundtrack is delicious. The Wild Area gives plenty of fun. Since the launching there’s always some Event going on and to top    Honestly, I don’t understand the Pokémon fandom sometimes. Pokémon Sword and Shield only flaw is a short history, that they are completing with two DLC costing half the price of a game, so even without the second half, is already the best Pokémon Game for me.
    The soundtrack is delicious. The Wild Area gives plenty of fun. Since the launching there’s always some Event going on and to top all that they created one of the most fluids breeding mechanic in the game.
    I would only wish that they would patch the chain method for shinies. Other than that, great way to start the main series in a new console.    … Expand
  14. Gastly67
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    Compre este para tenerlo en la coleccion, sufre lo mismo que el de Pokémon Sword, pero sigue siendo buen juego para los fans dee pokémon
  15. opnyx
    Jan 16, 2021
    8
    I loved playing this game. The story is great in my opinion. All the competition background is awesome, there's a lot of customizations features for your character, and the battles in arenas are epic.
    But I was disappointed with the graphics, which look quite poor for a Switch game, and also by the basic Pokémon animations.
    Very nice experience though.
  16. Castdeath97
    Nov 22, 2021
    9
    Yet another Pokemon game that I don't get the fuss on. Seems good to me.

    - The characters are the best since a very long while, and seem to have more personality in them compared to previous entries, I find it surprising people didn't like them. - Graphics as ok to good, not exactly anything special then again not something most people in this genre care much about. - The music is    Yet another Pokemon game that I don't get the fuss on. Seems good to me.

    - The characters are the best since a very long while, and seem to have more personality in them compared to previous entries, I find it surprising people didn't like them.

    - Graphics as ok to good, not exactly anything special then again not something most people in this genre care much about.

    - The music is top notch and excellent.

    - Absolutely love being able to play with and pet pokemons

    So yet again, I'm kinda baffled here with the fuss. I don't think it's even just dexit since a lot of reviewers here didn't warm up to the characters as much as I did, then again it could just be indirect.    … Expand
  17. Balearikus
    Nov 22, 2021
    8
    A very ambitious game in its project not executed in the best way.

    With a beautiful style, which seems to be an anime, and a completely 3d world with many details, we began this adventure in galar, we began this adventure very easily that for me I enjoyed it visually to the fullest, the story was something simple but very happy comment my adventure with scorbunny and I could easily move    A very ambitious game in its project not executed in the best way.

    With a beautiful style, which seems to be an anime, and a completely 3d world with many details, we began this adventure in galar, we began this adventure very easily that for me I enjoyed it visually to the fullest, the story was something simple but very happy comment my adventure with scorbunny and I could easily move forward without problems, when I got to the wild area I found one of my greatest joys in a pokemon game, and I enjoyed a lot and let the wild area be enjoyed, although to see it enjoyed in real time online with the other players and interacting would have been perfect. The team yell is a joke in bad taste as antagonists, and the game completely misses no serious enemies in the game or that events or adventures happen missing the great and beautiful recreated map. Also with errors such as the pokedex or things that are too recycled, but the game is nice and good to play, but its difficulty leaves something more to be desired.

    Graphics 9/10
    Music 9/10
    Gameplay 8/10
    Duration 7/10
    History 7/10
    Difficulty 6/10    … Expand
  18. TatuTatu
    Dec 6, 2021
    8
    The gane is pretty good for casual players and if you want a hard game, this game is not for you, some points at the story are not the best and the pokedex cut is a little bit sad, but some other things like music and character design are amazing here and overall the game is fun, and the dialog is not as annoying as people say, even is less annoying that it is in black and white.
  19. shw079
    Feb 4, 2022
    8
    It is an good Pokemon game. Nevertheless, the plot is non-existent, battles are way too easy, and the expansion pack is a rip off (expensive but only few new content).
  20. Gius92
    Jan 25, 2021
    10
    I love it. This game absolutely does not deserve all the hate it has received.
  21. BaconPancakes
    Nov 17, 2019
    10
    I pretty much hate everything after Ruby. This game is definitely going in the right direction. Depending on your playstyle you can drop a lot of hours into Shield.
  22. Drakko03
    Nov 17, 2019
    10
    Realmente un buen juego y nada de 0 ni 4. Con todo respeto a sus opiniones pero es un juego de 10 o 9 y yo en mi caso le doy 10
  23. GCDeadshot
    Nov 15, 2022
    10
    I love Hop sooo much, he's my favourite rival, his whole character is heart breaking and his theme makes me really happy!
  24. Lapi002
    Dec 28, 2021
    8
    Pokemon Shield was my first console game and the reason why I wanted to have the Switch Lite, the Zacian edition, and the Zamazenta. Generally, Pokemon games come with a demo to see how good it is.
    The game isnt bad as haters describe it and there were so many videos criticizing it for the same reasons: the graphics. Viejo, if you want a game with better graphics, buy a PC and go.
    The    Pokemon Shield was my first console game and the reason why I wanted to have the Switch Lite, the Zacian edition, and the Zamazenta. Generally, Pokemon games come with a demo to see how good it is.
    The game isnt bad as haters describe it and there were so many videos criticizing it for the same reasons: the graphics. Viejo, if you want a game with better graphics, buy a PC and go.
    The story could have been a bit more careful, quite lazy and the DLC does not help either. However, it does raise the mark a bit in some scenes with adult connotations.

    My grade will actually be a 7, but it goes up one more point due to the fact that it was my first game on this beautiful console. I understand the point of the subject of the graphics, I am not going to get like the stupid haters, but I think that with the early release of Legends Pokemon Arceus, everything can change.    … Expand
  25. rebuzzi
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    its not as bad as people say, i really enjoyed the game! the new pokemon designs are amazing! im ready for the next generation
  26. SZero2800
    Jul 21, 2021
    9
    Me parece un buen juego, sin embargo no tiene la chispa de aquellos buenos tiempos de Pokémon, como primer Pokémon para las nuevas generaciones de gamers esta increíble, que tengan oportunidad de unirse a una saga tan buena, ya después irán experimentando y jugando los antiguos.
  27. Zumbie101
    May 7, 2022
    8
    Enjoyable game, wild area is fun and the locations look nice and varied. I do find the story gets a but rushed and nonsensical however its pokemon so not exactly playing it for the story.
  28. FireZD
    Jan 3, 2022
    8
    I think the main issues have already been talked about, it's a relatively basic Pokemon game with an ok but not fleshed out gimmick. It doesn't have enough Pokemon featured in the game and the story is meh. But it is a very good game for newcomers to the series, the combat is polished and is overall a great game by itself. The issue comes when it's the same game as the past few entrees.I think the main issues have already been talked about, it's a relatively basic Pokemon game with an ok but not fleshed out gimmick. It doesn't have enough Pokemon featured in the game and the story is meh. But it is a very good game for newcomers to the series, the combat is polished and is overall a great game by itself. The issue comes when it's the same game as the past few entrees. Hopefully, the next game builds upon flawless gameplay groundwork and works towards something new.… Expand
  29. Ardho
    Jul 27, 2022
    8
    its an okay game...........................................................
  30. Darkspawn677
    Jun 4, 2022
    10
    Pokemon sword and shield is good but it should have mega evolution dynamax and z moves in one game and i liked mega evolution more than z moves
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 »