User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 3465 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. 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
  2. Mar 2, 2022
    10
    Great game, the new Pokemons are awesome. The graphics are fine the wild area is beautyful. The starters are the best of all generations
  3. Feb 28, 2022
    8
    Too bad only for the plot, for the rest I liked it. a classic pokemon title that satisfied me, excellent raids. Beautiful and well crafted DLC
  4. Feb 28, 2022
    3
    Not acceptable. Many bugs, lies, DLCs etc.
    It is 3DS like game at switch for full price.
    Gamefreak is burned.
  5. 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
  6. Feb 19, 2022
    8
    I kinda love this game! :)
    Over all my experience with this game was fantastic
    for what we got, Im actually satisfied.
    The DLC add up was a new fresh update the game was in hunger for, when the post-game was weak
  7. Feb 8, 2022
    2
    I feel so burned by this. Ive been a fan of this series since the beginning and this is a poorly put together and offers little new. Its your basic pokemon game set in a 3D space but takes no advantage of the 3D space. You have a fixed camera for most of the game. Why?

    I have a list of issues with this game and the pokedex doesn't crack the top 10. If your new to the series I'm unsure
    I feel so burned by this. Ive been a fan of this series since the beginning and this is a poorly put together and offers little new. Its your basic pokemon game set in a 3D space but takes no advantage of the 3D space. You have a fixed camera for most of the game. Why?

    I have a list of issues with this game and the pokedex doesn't crack the top 10. If your new to the series I'm unsure if this will interest you. It feels like a low budget indie title but its made by a huge company who makes huge money from this series. This is a bizarre game.

    If I'm to be objective this is maybe a FOUR or a FIVE by I'm emotional so TWO. Don't bother with this.
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  8. 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.
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  9. 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.
  10. 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).
  11. Feb 4, 2022
    4
    It's about as entertaining as any cookie cutter pokemon game, but never more than that. By far the most disappointing entry in the series, made by technically incompetent developers, and devoid of any meaningful content.
  12. Feb 1, 2022
    4
    A bunch of half baked ideas put into one package. I will put as much effort in this review as gamefreak has put into this game.
  13. Jan 30, 2022
    2
    El peor juego de toda la saga, excesivamente facil, muy lineal, no hay nada interesante en todo el mapa, y el area silvestre pese a estar muy bonita es aburrida y no hay nada mas alla de pokemon(poca variedad) arboles, y mierdas para incursiones . No le doy un cero por que el apartado grafico me parece bonito y el diseño artistico de escenarios es muy bueno tambien
  14. Nov 15, 2019
    2
    the wild area is actually pretty cute, but everything else is a huge downgrade (camp vs pokemon amie, pokejobs vs pokepelago etc), and the latter half of the game feels rushed and unfinished.
  15. Jan 29, 2022
    0
    Pokémon Sword and Shield are by far the worst entries in the series. There's not even a debate to be had about it. Anyone defending these games should reconsider their life decisions.
  16. Jan 29, 2022
    4
    Very disappointingly dated for a Pokemon game. It feels like something that I would play on the 3DS, and even then that system had much better games. Sad to see such a great franchise stagnate like this.
  17. Jan 29, 2022
    4
    Jogo feio, e pouco original. É um absurdo o que a Gamefreak está fazendo com a franquia Pokémon.
  18. Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Beautiful and precious, is the only way to describe the Galar region
    User evaluations in general give a very distorted view of this game. It really very fun and ideal for hanging out with the childrens.
  19. Jan 27, 2022
    10
    One of the best modern generations of Pokémon, much better than the distant and mythical X and Y.
    Unfairly criticized, the video game press did appreciate the game. Since it has a great story, a very varied and fun world to explore, as well as one of the best multiplayer ever seen.
  20. Jan 26, 2022
    5
    Amazing game, overall a fantastic addition to the franchise, even though graphic wise it's average at best.
  21. Jan 25, 2022
    3
    Sword and shield is in my opinion a big downgrade to gen 7 like for example,the graphics are just a slightly better than gen 7's graphics but are almost the same despite one is being on the switch with almost ps4 level hardware,it only has 400 pokemon while gen 7 has 700 and getting somethings are harder a berry you want is so complicated if your trying to get a berry you want with theseSword and shield is in my opinion a big downgrade to gen 7 like for example,the graphics are just a slightly better than gen 7's graphics but are almost the same despite one is being on the switch with almost ps4 level hardware,it only has 400 pokemon while gen 7 has 700 and getting somethings are harder a berry you want is so complicated if your trying to get a berry you want with these berry trees while in gen 7,you could just grow a bunch of what berry you want.And because pokemon games come out every year and get the least care out of the other nintendo mascots,you'll end up with a rushed mess, Expand
  22. Jan 11, 2022
    0
    Terrible, just so boring with too many bs mechanics. Such a terrible experience and no one should play it.
  23. Jan 10, 2022
    9
    Nice game. Beautiful graphic, nice gameplay and more new pokemon. I really like this game. But the pokedex doesn't have the national dex and this game doesn't has full pokemon too.
  24. Jan 4, 2022
    3
    I was very excited for these games. I never cared one tiny bit about the National Dex or really any of its controversies. Playing these games, i did enjoy them, but thats the end of it. Ive tried to replay them, but each time i lost interest. Galar is immensly boring. I adore exploring the amazing routes of this franchise, but here, they are like linear corridors. The Wild Area is big, butI was very excited for these games. I never cared one tiny bit about the National Dex or really any of its controversies. Playing these games, i did enjoy them, but thats the end of it. Ive tried to replay them, but each time i lost interest. Galar is immensly boring. I adore exploring the amazing routes of this franchise, but here, they are like linear corridors. The Wild Area is big, but empty, lacking anything at all too do. Dynamax and Gigantamax got old fast and the weak story barely exists. I don`t need a complex story, but this was poor. Ill say that the design for the characters and Pokèmon where fantastic, the best since Gen V imo. Lost of new Pokèmon became my favorite and Nessa and Sonia are high quality waifus. None of this saves this game though. Its not close to being worth the money. They felt rushed, underdeveloped, lacking pretty everything i love about the series. From what ive heard, the best content in these games are in the DLC, but there is no way i am paying for what i belive should have been in the base games.
    The series has been on a steady decline for me since XY, but with these games, they have hit rock bottom for me and i feel like i am done with this franchise.
    Pokèmon SwSh manages to stand out as the most dissapointing games i have played in this franchise.
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  25. Jan 3, 2022
    8
    It has potential. It has so many interesting things about it that make it stand out as a video game, and you kinda of have to consider the innovation here compared to previous pokemon games. Unfortunately, it feels like there wasn't a full commitment to the innovation, and one really has to spend extra for the DLC to fully realize the update. The story itself is too easy and there are noIt has potential. It has so many interesting things about it that make it stand out as a video game, and you kinda of have to consider the innovation here compared to previous pokemon games. Unfortunately, it feels like there wasn't a full commitment to the innovation, and one really has to spend extra for the DLC to fully realize the update. The story itself is too easy and there are no puzzles. Also, because of the collaboration aspect, it's extremely easy to level up, so out with the traditional grind. This game really illuminates the downside of eliminating things that may have once been seen as "frustrating" in previous games, but in actuality, elevate the game. Like not being able to progress to new towns without teaching a compatible pokemon a special move to solve a puzzle (now there are air taxis that take you everywhere). You are now constantly given the ability to quickly go back and revive your team at any time, and your rival will do it for you in many places after every single battle, so you don't even have to strategize before entering a dungeon (they give you an escape rope, but like, why?). While on the surface these can be seen as improvements, they essentially de-mature the game to something that is entirely non-strategic. I am someone, like many others, who has played the pokemon series their entire life, and there are many games that I play for weeks to beat, if i beat them at all before getting tired of it. This game, I beat in 5-6 days including the post-game. So while there are many things that I appreciate about this game, there wasn't quite enough, and I feel that we lost puzzles and strategy to pretty outfits and repetitive collab battles.
    -I do want to add that they do get some points for the Gym Leader Character design. I really loved them all and thought they were all unique and endearing. Except Chairman Rose looks IDENTICAL to Seneca Crane (look it up if you don't know who I'm talking about.
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  26. 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
  27. 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?
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  28. 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.
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  29. Dec 28, 2021
    1
    El peor juego de toda la franquicia tiene una cantidad gigantesca de fallos que no me voy a poner ahora en nombrar, simplemente malísimo y sin alma. Si desconectas el cerebro es medianamente disfrutable pero en cuanto vuelves en ti y te das cuánta del desastre de juego que es te entran ganas de arrancarte los ojos.
    Soy fan de toda la vida de esta franquicia y solo puede decir que que es triste.
  30. 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.
  31. 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
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  32. 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.
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  33. 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
  34. dfq
    Nov 21, 2021
    4
    First of all I wouldn't recommend any parent to buy this game for their child or anyone for themselves. I regret having to write this review as I definitely wanted this game to be the best it could, just like the "professional" game critics wrote in their reviews, but Pokémon Sword and Shield just don't deserve to be praised like that. Not only did the developers of this game lie aboutFirst of all I wouldn't recommend any parent to buy this game for their child or anyone for themselves. I regret having to write this review as I definitely wanted this game to be the best it could, just like the "professional" game critics wrote in their reviews, but Pokémon Sword and Shield just don't deserve to be praised like that. Not only did the developers of this game lie about making new models and animations for every Pokémon from scratch (which they didn't do, because they just reused the EXACT models and animations of the 3ds, which are really bad to nonexistent btw), but they also filled the game with filler cut-scenes, slow-animations and barely any story. There is no real story in these games. At least nothing with any love put into while creating it. After beating the game I felt disappointed and couldn't believe I'm done already. There is almost nothing fun to do except the obvious catching of pokémon and beating gyms. Catching pokémon was still a fun grind in the beginning, but the really bad animations and the obnoxious slow speed of the battles sort of overwrote most of the fun after a while, especially with the boring background battle music, which is the same in every battle, for a couple of exceptions later in the game. In contrast to almost all previous games before and including Pokémon Black & White which I've loved, this game was bland and felt generic. Except for the fact that you can now play Pokémon on a big screen which is exciting and all, there is just barely anything good to say about Pokémon Shield (and Sword). The things I did like were the new Pokémon (even if some of them aren't very creative or exceptionally well designed, but they honestly don't have to be in my opinion, they were still cool and looked like Pokémon) and the fact that they have ported the game to a not exclusively portable game console. The central characters introduced in these games like Hop, Leon, Bede and Marnie felt strangely awkward, fake and most importantly shallow and didn't convince me at all. During the little bit of story there is I didn't sympathize with any of these characters and felt indifferent towards them which is unlike the Pokémon games before Satoru iwata's unfortunate demise.
    If I could exchange the current developer stuff of Game Freak, I definitely would, because playing these honestly bad successors to my favorite game genre breaks my heart and I just kept playing because I hoped it would get better which it didnt. This is sad for Game Freak and I hope that they realize this themselves and improve in the future.
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  35. Nov 20, 2021
    8
    Best competitive era for Pokemon. Dynamax is probably the most strategic introduction made since B/W era. The ranked battle system keeps you on the screen for hours and the changing of the rules month by month gives the game a longer lifetime.
    Dynamax Adventure is the same.
    The game reports graphics issues, especially in the textures. The single player mode can be perceived as too easy,
    Best competitive era for Pokemon. Dynamax is probably the most strategic introduction made since B/W era. The ranked battle system keeps you on the screen for hours and the changing of the rules month by month gives the game a longer lifetime.
    Dynamax Adventure is the same.
    The game reports graphics issues, especially in the textures. The single player mode can be perceived as too easy, especially by the oldest players.
    The true key values which makes this game one of the most funny even 2 years after is the online mode in dynamic adv. and battlespot.
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  36. Nov 18, 2021
    2
    So unfortunate to see a dexcut, hand holding, lack of interesting plot and introduction of Dynamax, a worse gimmick than Mega evolution. Overall subpar compared to all other Poke-titles.
  37. 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...
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  38. Nov 14, 2021
    9
    Gratamente mejorable en sus graficos especialmente pero aun con algunas pegas tuvo cosas muy nuevas en la saga y además te proporciona muchas horas de juego si te gusta aprovechar al máximo este tipo de juegos como yo hago que exploro cada rincón.
  39. Nov 10, 2021
    9
    Отличная игра. Все те же покемоны, но с элементами открытого мира. Интересный сюжет, активности, рейды, крупные дополнения.
    Хейт относительно отсутствия national dex абсолютно незаслуженно.
    Минус бал за отсутствие локализации
    Отличная игра. Все те же покемоны, но с элементами открытого мира. Интересный сюжет, активности, рейды, крупные дополнения.
    Хейт относительно отсутствия national dex абсолютно незаслуженно.
    Минус бал за отсутствие локализации
  40. 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
  41. Nov 1, 2021
    0
    This game is a **** Stain on the pants of the Pokémon Franchise.
    It is overpriced
    It was released at an unfinished state
    Its far to easy and short
    The DLC (which is also overpriced) doesn't save things
    The plot is atrocious
    They randomly removed gameplay mechanics from previous titles.
    This game is awful, and nobody should play it.
    STOP PUTTING UP WITH GAMEFREAK RELASING MEDIOCRE GAMES!
  42. Nov 1, 2021
    7
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  43. 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.
  44. Oct 17, 2021
    9
    idk why people hate it so much, best pokemon game IMO,
    best pacing out of any game,
    theres a 3D open area.
    And best location. Britain.
  45. Oct 10, 2021
    10
    When I play this game, let’s just say my “member” stands at “attention”. The graphics, they’re so good, it makes me e ja q l8. The story, it’s ROCK solid, makes me like squawk chicken, COCK if you will. I’m so frequently changing my knickers while playing, my family asks me, “why are your knickers always so frickin crunchy”, to which I reply, “uh….nothing! Shut up, you think you’re dad,When I play this game, let’s just say my “member” stands at “attention”. The graphics, they’re so good, it makes me e ja q l8. The story, it’s ROCK solid, makes me like squawk chicken, COCK if you will. I’m so frequently changing my knickers while playing, my family asks me, “why are your knickers always so frickin crunchy”, to which I reply, “uh….nothing! Shut up, you think you’re dad, but you’re not!” Expand
  46. 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.
  47. 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!
  48. Sep 5, 2021
    0
    What can I say about this game that hasn't already been said?
    Well for starters, a ton of pokemon you had to work for, stone evolutions, trade evolutions, location evolutions, are now just wandering around on map waiting for you to catch them. No more need to go and talk to anyone to get a Steelix. It's right there in the field.
    Pokemon are completely missing from the code and this
    What can I say about this game that hasn't already been said?
    Well for starters, a ton of pokemon you had to work for, stone evolutions, trade evolutions, location evolutions, are now just wandering around on map waiting for you to catch them. No more need to go and talk to anyone to get a Steelix. It's right there in the field.

    Pokemon are completely missing from the code and this hurts pokemon home as a result. Because you don't know what pokemon can or can not be transfered in, you now risk trapping pokemon from the older games or pokemon go in pokemon home with no way to get them out! This is a real problem if you're a free home user as you only have a single box of 30 spaces and each trapped pokemon is one less space you can use.

    The story is not that good either. Instead of being the protagonist you're the NPC who comes in to save the day at the last minuet and not in the fun way.

    The DLC makes an overpriced $60 game even more over priced at $90, and it still FAILS to bring back the rest of the pokemon!

    I bought this game used because of the whole mess this game turned out to be in 2019, and as a result I would recommend you stay clear of this game and the upcoming Legends Arcus and Brilliant Diamond and Shining pearl too.
    Expand
  49. 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
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  50. Sep 3, 2021
    8
    very good..................................................................
  51. Sep 1, 2021
    0
    You are racist. You could only translate texts and menu items into Russian. But instead, you decide to ignore the Russian-speaking community once again, guided by your racial prejudices about the ability of the Russian population to pay. You sell the game on the territory of Russia and I pay good money for this game. When hundreds and thousands of Russians are paid, is that not enough forYou are racist. You could only translate texts and menu items into Russian. But instead, you decide to ignore the Russian-speaking community once again, guided by your racial prejudices about the ability of the Russian population to pay. You sell the game on the territory of Russia and I pay good money for this game. When hundreds and thousands of Russians are paid, is that not enough for you? The racists! Expand
  52. Aug 19, 2021
    1
    This game is lazy, not for the pokedex, for everything else.
    The story is bad, the combat is the same as always but with a new stupid mechanic... Awful
  53. 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.
  54. Aug 17, 2021
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 2021 год а русского языка нет, зато реклама с русской озвучкой, неплохо, а так тяжело выделить переводчика для этого хотя игра и нет так велика как кажется. Expand
  55. 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.
  56. 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!
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  57. Aug 6, 2021
    0
    Probably one of the worst games I have ever played and the visuals hurt my eyes and looks like something from the game cube this game is a massive step down from sun and moon
  58. Aug 4, 2021
    3
    This game has significantly less depth than essentially every other Pokémon game. There are fewer Pokémon (while being on a more advanced system), less of a story, especially the post-game, and fewer animations for some reason. There are 10 routes and the gym battles and process feel so gutted. The world feels small which is inexcusable for a well-developed franchise making use of a newerThis game has significantly less depth than essentially every other Pokémon game. There are fewer Pokémon (while being on a more advanced system), less of a story, especially the post-game, and fewer animations for some reason. There are 10 routes and the gym battles and process feel so gutted. The world feels small which is inexcusable for a well-developed franchise making use of a newer and more powerful system. For many people, hearing about the national dex's removal is not much of a talking point, but to me when they removed so many Pokémon and then had the audacity to add DLC Pokémon shows to me there was no care put into this game for the community. Perhaps one can find a modicum of entertainment for a short period of time playing this game, but ask yourself is it really worth all that is happening to the franchise? I personally feel as though this is true beginning of the end for Pokémon. "So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay." - Robert Frost Expand
  59. 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.
  60. Jul 16, 2021
    8
    Not the greatest Pokemon game but still a solid experience. A lot of content, great world to explore and a new addition - open world sections. Some Pokemon desingns are very weird though.Don't let the user score fool you. It's a great game and definetely recommended.
  61. 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
  62. Jul 10, 2021
    4
    I tried to enjoy it, but I ultimately found it to be too easy and linear. Parts of the game seem lazily slapped together, and the story is lackluster. It's OK because it's still a pokemon game where you can fight and collect, but it needs some love put into it.
  63. 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
  64. Jul 5, 2021
    1
    This game is **** Awful, I played it on release and I did have fun but the the flaws really show through the towns and routes are do bland and uninterested the game looks awful it looks ok in some areas but it's mostly awful and the game is so easy to boot, this is one of the most brain dead pokemon games I've ever played
  65. Jun 11, 2021
    2
    Нет русского языка. Игра и так не шедевр, а без русского вообще шлак. Русский язык третий в мире, но разработчику пофиг.
  66. 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
  67. Jun 1, 2021
    0
    Laziest game ever made. No passion or love given to this game. This is the perfect example of a rushed product all for the sake of making money as fast as possible. Game Freak has no excuse since they're a multi billion dollar company.
  68. Jun 1, 2021
    4
    A heartbreaking experience. Not even counting the Pokémon cut from the dex. Such a hand holdy experience. Too linear.
  69. Jun 1, 2021
    0
    This game is **** and Garbage Pokemon hasn't been good since Gen 2

    If you want a good Monster Hunter play SMT
  70. May 29, 2021
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Es un juego pésimo primero de todo es juego es SUPER fácil ya al comenzar te dan una cantidad de dinero absurda segundo el repartir XP es un desastre ya que entre el repartidor, los absurdos caramelos de XP y los pokemons a niveles absurdos en el área salvaje tu equipo siempre va a ir tipo 10 niveles por encima de los enemigos aparte de eso casi todos los npc te regalan items por la cara después la historia es una mierda primero de todo no hay ningún equipo villano porque me rehusó a llamar equipo villano a la mierda de team gel o como se diga y el villano final no tiene sentido porque como la crisis pasara dentro de 1000 años en ese tiempo la tecnología podría mejorar y solucionar todo aparte cuando lo vences el te APLAUDE wtf le acabas de arruinar el plan y el se alegra wtf aparte de eso es el juego con las rutas mas simples y lineales el 99% de ellas son puro pasillo aparte de eso tira a la mierda a los movimientos z a la megaevolucion y al ultravuelo para agregar a putos pokemons grandes por cierto los gráficos son asquerosos parecen de 3ds sin mencio lo unico bueno del juego es el competitivo Expand
  71. May 11, 2021
    0
    I have to pay money to get DLC so I can get access to my favorite pokemon

    I don't like the animations at all, we were clearly told "we are delaying the game to improve upon battle animations for the game, pokemon black and white have better animations than this game, and that one is over 10 years old the story is garbage along with the fact that the music is just plain bland and
    I have to pay money to get DLC so I can get access to my favorite pokemon

    I don't like the animations at all, we were clearly told "we are delaying the game to improve upon battle animations for the game, pokemon black and white have better animations than this game, and that one is over 10 years old

    the story is garbage along with the fact that the music is just plain bland and boring

    the starters are horrible fugly.

    A complete waste of money to be honest. I grew up with this franchise but I just haven't had fun with it since generation 5. I fell lied to and betrayed. This game is a disappointment. and I only play it because I don't have a DS anymore
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  72. May 8, 2021
    5
    As per the generation of newly introduced Pokemon I love this game. The rest, meh. The DLCs, disaster...
  73. 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
  74. May 2, 2021
    10
    Un juego sumamente infravalorado y cuyas virtudes han sido invisibilizadas por un fandom furioso, únicamente por razones externas al juego, así como completamente ajenas a su calidad.
    Galar es una región simplemente hermosa que representa una cara idealizada del Reino Unido, los personajes son carismáticos, la historia es bastante decente, y el combate es divino en cada sentido.
    El
    Un juego sumamente infravalorado y cuyas virtudes han sido invisibilizadas por un fandom furioso, únicamente por razones externas al juego, así como completamente ajenas a su calidad.
    Galar es una región simplemente hermosa que representa una cara idealizada del Reino Unido, los personajes son carismáticos, la historia es bastante decente, y el combate es divino en cada sentido.

    El Gigamax es la mecánica estrella del juego y donde se cimenta todo combate importante, y la forma de representar las batallas de liga como estadios de futbol es un gran acierto.
    Musicalmente es precioso, artísticamente ni se diga. Y explorar las llanuras de Galar para atrapar pokémon es de las mejores experiencias que he tenido con un juego de la saga principal.
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  75. May 1, 2021
    10
    this game is so addictive and so much fun in this game. i think it better when you buy a expansion pass for this game too.
  76. Apr 26, 2021
    8
    This game is shorter than reviews would say. Maybe 17-22 hours for the main game and the docs maybe 6-10 hours.

    There are quite a few good wow moments when you first have a max raid battle. The largest thing I wish it had more of was attitude in the trainers. . Trainers tend to blur together because they are all quite unforgettable. The gym leaders need more unique styling ego and
    This game is shorter than reviews would say. Maybe 17-22 hours for the main game and the docs maybe 6-10 hours.

    There are quite a few good wow moments when you first have a max raid battle. The largest thing I wish it had more of was attitude in the trainers. . Trainers tend to blur together because they are all quite unforgettable. The gym leaders need more unique styling ego and attitude and so do your rivals. I think anybody who wants a relaxed turn based rpg will find something to like.
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  77. Apr 24, 2021
    1
    There are so many things wrong with this game.
    The graphics. The national dex. The gameplay itself.
    I don't have much to say that hasn't been said already.

    The fact that this even exists makes me want to not even buy New Pokemon Snap.
    But I'm a sucker, so I already preordered it.
  78. Apr 21, 2021
    0
    I really only hate the game this much because of the horrible fanbase. It's an ok 5 or 6 out of 10 normally. The wild area specifically was really fun. The story was, as usual, halfhearted, filled with plot holes, and given way too much spotlight. Graphics were Terrible with a capitol T. The New pokemon designs are cool for the most part. Like I said, an ok 5 or 6 out of 10. I'd pay 40I really only hate the game this much because of the horrible fanbase. It's an ok 5 or 6 out of 10 normally. The wild area specifically was really fun. The story was, as usual, halfhearted, filled with plot holes, and given way too much spotlight. Graphics were Terrible with a capitol T. The New pokemon designs are cool for the most part. Like I said, an ok 5 or 6 out of 10. I'd pay 40 dollars for this

    The Problem is the mouth-breathing fans who swear on this game like the bible. If you so much as even suggest that this game is a 9 out of 10, these fans will cover their ears, start screaming and spewing out uninformed garbage, and discounting all valid points because you are a "hater", and apparently that invalidates your opinion. It's gotten to the point where once respectable people like Joe Merrick have to constantly agree with these morons so they don't get torn to shreds.

    If you like this game, and can accept it is flawed, good for you. You're the exception. Congratulations. I just can't fathom people making fun of Karen's and how they can never accept they're wrong, and then vehemently defending this game from any and all criticism. This is why TrueGreen7 is currently the best Pokémon youtuber, and will probably always be. He likes the games, but never calls people who don't malinformed idiots who don't agree with him.

    This is why I'm giving the game a zero out of ten. to counterbalance at least one idiot who rated this game 10/10 out of spite.

    Inconclusion, everyone who blindly loves this game is
    A) a child
    B) someone who panders to children
    C) An idiot
    D) Has never played a good RPG. I recommend Earthbound.
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  79. 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.
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  80. 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...
  81. Apr 4, 2021
    3
    1) The Good:
    - It's a pokemon game after all, if you liked the previous games, at some degree you will like this one too;
    - The soundtrack is great; - The pokemon design. 2) The Bad; - No challenge at all; - Too many exp items; - Too short; - No side quests; - No option to turn off the exp. share item; - Too linear and no exploration at all; - Unfinished graphics - The
    1) The Good:
    - It's a pokemon game after all, if you liked the previous games, at some degree you will like this one too;
    - The soundtrack is great;
    - The pokemon design.

    2) The Bad;
    - No challenge at all;
    - Too many exp items;
    - Too short;
    - No side quests;
    - No option to turn off the exp. share item;
    - Too linear and no exploration at all;
    - Unfinished graphics - The Nintendo Switch could do A LOT better;
    - Poorly animated moves;
    - No National Pokedex;
    - Not dubbed;
    - The Wild Area is bland;
    - Graphics pop in;
    - An expensive game for what is delivered.
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  82. Mar 29, 2021
    10
    I honestly don't know why this game gets so much hate. It has good storytelling, cute Pokemon, and even a massive open world! this is a brilliant game.
  83. Mar 25, 2021
    0
    Wasted 60 doller on this... still regret buying it.
    The game had so much potential but the execution is poor
  84. Mar 21, 2021
    9
    Pokemon Sw/Sh are some of the best pokemon games ever made, Here are some things I really liked about the game. The WIld Area is amazing, The Starters are balanced, decent graphics, decent story, Gigantamax Is Incredibly fun, the best pokemon soundtrack in years, Raid battles are really fun, pokemon appear in the overworld. Here are some things I disliked about the game. No National Dex,Pokemon Sw/Sh are some of the best pokemon games ever made, Here are some things I really liked about the game. The WIld Area is amazing, The Starters are balanced, decent graphics, decent story, Gigantamax Is Incredibly fun, the best pokemon soundtrack in years, Raid battles are really fun, pokemon appear in the overworld. Here are some things I disliked about the game. No National Dex, Some Textures look awful, shinys don't appear in the over world. Overall Pokemon Sw/Sh are 100% worth buying If your a long time fan of the series or a new comer to the series, Personally I give it a 9/10 because it's such a great game. Expand
  85. 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
  86. Mar 6, 2021
    2
    I was very excited for this game when it came out being an avid Pokemon fan, but boy was it a huge disappointment. I’d like to address its flaws:
    The online is horrible. Nintendo online has never been great, but this takes it to a whole other level. While in the Wild Area and connected to the Y-Comm, the game’s frequent lag-spikes and FPS drops to at times 5 FPS can be truly unbearable.
    I was very excited for this game when it came out being an avid Pokemon fan, but boy was it a huge disappointment. I’d like to address its flaws:
    The online is horrible. Nintendo online has never been great, but this takes it to a whole other level. While in the Wild Area and connected to the Y-Comm, the game’s frequent lag-spikes and FPS drops to at times 5 FPS can be truly unbearable. They managed to downgrade true online system that the 3DS had already well-established. The graphics are nothing short of lazy. The tree textures look fresh out of a PS2 game, not to mention the same poor Pokemon move animations that haven’t changed since essentially the original with Pokemon not even getting up close. How is a Pokemon using scratch going to show me a poorly animated claw effect that my Pokemon just summons that doesn’t even go near the opposing Pokemon?
    These are only a few of this games several horrific flaws—completely skipping over the story (with writing that truly does show how much of a rushed project this was, the post game is probably the worst wrote thing I have ever seen in a game), the limited amount of content in the base game and more. The only well-done original thing I can see from this game is Pokemon camp. This is where you can tell the animators had more time to give your Pokemon character and life rather than the soulless beings they are everywhere else. The cooking I also found to be quite fun and just watching your Pokemon interact with each other each with actual personality was definitely my favourite part. The game also has the huge national dex problem which was sought to be fixed by a poor and sloppy dlc that I won’t be talking about. Overall, very lacklustre and there are so many games out there on the switch that are just better. This was the game that truly told me to wake up and stop buying Pokemon, the franchise is running itself into the ground.
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  87. Mar 4, 2021
    0
    This game had a lot of potential but sadly, fell short in almost every expectation.

    For context, the last game I've played was Pokemon Y and I'm about 10 hours into Pokemon Shield (1 badge to go). The big thing this game introduces is the Wild Area where pokemon roam the grasses and rare, high level pokemon can also be found. The first impression is great, however the more you play,
    This game had a lot of potential but sadly, fell short in almost every expectation.

    For context, the last game I've played was Pokemon Y and I'm about 10 hours into Pokemon Shield (1 badge to go).

    The big thing this game introduces is the Wild Area where pokemon roam the grasses and rare, high level pokemon can also be found. The first impression is great, however the more you play, the shallower the experience becomes.

    The wild area flips from day to night instantly when 8pm/9am rolls around. The weather effects are so small in area and can touch each other that it can be very jarring as one battle might have hail and the next be a sandstorm.

    It would have been nice to see all the towns connected via the Wild Area or have multiple wild areas link the towns together. The routes feel very short with a lot of random dead ends.

    One big change is the inability to catch pokemon over a certain level until you have the badge. While I understand why they implemented this with the wild area, it seems kind of cheap. From my personal playthrough, I saw a Gastly which spawns in the 25-30ish range in the Wild Area but I wasn't able to catch it until I had the second badge despite my pokemon being mid-20's.

    The addition of the instant travel and being able to access your box anywhere combined with the fact that each route can be traversed in a matter of a few minutes removed any real threat or challenge from going to the next area. As a result, the camping mechanic was completely useless since you could either instant travel or simply bike to a pokecenter (which are never that far away).

    There are additional stream lining, such as every pokecenters featuring the shop and being able to remember moves. Sure, it's convenient but there is already so much convenience. The clothing and character customization is also very limited compared to what I remember in Y.

    From a technical perspective, the game has a really short render distance creating a lot of pop in. While it would be understandable in the wild area, with dozens of characters roaming around, it does it on the routes and in the cities as well. There is also terrible lag and framerate issues when the online mode is enabled...

    Speaking of the online experience... It's slow, inconvenient and just poorly done. It's surprising how poorly the Pokemon series has taken to online given the fact that Pokemon Red/Blue was, for many kids, the first time they would experience networked multiplayer, albeit extremely primitive.

    There is a lot more to talk about, such as the story (or lack thereof), only a subset of the total pokemon and the battle system being very slow and cumbersome.

    Overall, I'm disappointed. The game feels rushed and shallow, and with Mario and Zelda getting a completely fresh look and feel on the Switch, it would have been great for Pokemon to undergo the same process.
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  88. Mar 2, 2021
    1
    I only could enjoy the first 2 hours, afterwards it's an empty game, the routes are shameful, and there's no sign of difficulty in any part of the game, except one or two exceptions. I've never felt more cheated
  89. Feb 26, 2021
    10
    Pokemon sword and shield is one of the most hated games in the saga, although this game it's hated it is still a great game specially for people playing Pokemon for the first time a great story with a good selection of Pokemon and a great post game, with or without the expansion pass.
  90. Feb 21, 2021
    1
    No story. No Pokedex. Not all Pokemon available. Only handholding. Content locked behind DLC. Content locked behind third party apps like "Pokemon Home" "Pokemon Bank" "Nintendo Switch Online". Gamefreak lied to all of us and they admited it.
  91. 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
  92. Feb 18, 2021
    2
    Pokemon Shield (and Sword) are easily the worst in the franchise's history. The potential that a Pokemon game on the Switch has is incredible. This could have been one of the greatest games of all time. Period, full stop.

    BUT, GameFreak decided to just wing it this time. This game, to put it bluntly, sucks. The graphics are legitimately 3DS quality (arguably worse at times), the
    Pokemon Shield (and Sword) are easily the worst in the franchise's history. The potential that a Pokemon game on the Switch has is incredible. This could have been one of the greatest games of all time. Period, full stop.

    BUT, GameFreak decided to just wing it this time. This game, to put it bluntly, sucks. The graphics are legitimately 3DS quality (arguably worse at times), the gameplay is the same as every other Pokemon game and does stand out, and this entry in the series is by far the most empty one. This is despite touting its expansive wild area as a selling point. Speaking of the wild area, it also sucks. When you're connected to the internet, you are moving at around 3 frames per century. And, as alluded before, despite being the largest area in a Pokemon game to date, it is barren of any content. The dynamax dens are cool for the first five or so raids. After that, it's just a slog fest and is honestly one of my least favorite parts of the game.

    I forgot to mention this point before, but now that I'm on the topic of the dynamax dens, it needs to be mentioned: the candies you get from these dens make this game so unbelievably easy. In fact, even without these candies this game is a breeze. Realistically, the only way to make this game challenging is by using a self-imposed ruleset known in the community as the Nuzlocke ruleset. This means, essentially, when you lose a Pokemon, it's gone for good. I could go on about the difficult,y, but that is one of the most cited issues.

    In fact, everything I've brought up has been talked to death. However, I think a less common insight (while still being pretty well-discussed) is how this game's mechanics translate to the competitive side of the game. Dynamax is a terrible mechanic. Ever since mega evolution, Pokemon's gimmick mechanics have been getting worse. Mega evolution was actually a pretty cool opportunity to give weaker Pokemon the boost they need to be competitively viable (did this happen? No, but you can thank GameFreak for this). Z-moves were kind of a mess and spawned a lot of annoying builds (i.e. Z-Geomancy Xerneas). However, topping the faults of both of these mechanics is Dynamax/Gigamax. This ability, on its face and in concept, should be the best gimmick. However, the implications of stat-boosting moves, doubled health, and the fact that any Pokemon (including already broken and overpowered ones) have access to this makes it terrible to play against and not that exciting to use either.

    Finally, perhaps the worst transgression that this game has made is the $60 price tag. Now, I would understand $60 if this was the greatest Pokemon game in the history of the planet. However, I believe that this is the opposite. This is the worst Pokemon game in the history of the planet, and I'm including Pokemon GO, Let's GO, and Pokemon Rumble Blast in this history. Charging the player $60 for a bad 3DS (at best) is one of the most insulting things I've ever seen a company like GameFreak do. On top of this egregious pricing, GameFreak has the audacity (THE AUDACITY!) to charge money for DLC that should have been in the game on release, bumping up the price for the (full) game to $90 ($60 for the base game and $30 for the expansion pass which gets you Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra). I will not address the Isle of Armor or Crown Tundra DLC expansions for two reasons: this section of Metacritic is for the base game of Pokemon Shield (and Sword) and I was smart enough not to buy the DLC.

    In summation, Pokemon Shield (and Sword) are easily the worst games in the franchise. I credit this label to numerous parts of the game that are either low quality or obstruct good parts of the game (the general Pokemon game formula). This game is not worth buying. Please, value your voice as a consumer and don't encourage lazy, greedy behavior in the gaming companies which are supposed to cater to YOU. I understand that companies are greedy by nature and will cut corners if possible, but you are able to hold them accountable with your dollar. So, PLEASE, do not purchase either game in this installment in the franchise. You are better off playing a fanmade rom hack (this is not to insult these games, they are sometimes better than most of the mainline games) and have an exponentially greater amount of enjoyment. Thank you, do not buy these games, be well.
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  93. Feb 9, 2021
    8
    While pokemon shield is absolutely not perfect it was an amazing game, the plot was good enough, the new pokemon are great, the galar region feels alive and big. Now one thing i like but also hate is the pokemon cut, it makes sense to cut some pokemon now that we have 898 pokemon (including dlc) and it also forces the people who would just trade in older pokemon to use new pokemon... but iWhile pokemon shield is absolutely not perfect it was an amazing game, the plot was good enough, the new pokemon are great, the galar region feels alive and big. Now one thing i like but also hate is the pokemon cut, it makes sense to cut some pokemon now that we have 898 pokemon (including dlc) and it also forces the people who would just trade in older pokemon to use new pokemon... but i just wish that they had cut less pokemon or let us trade in certain pokemon because some of my favourite pokemon were unobtainable until the dlc. Expand
  94. Feb 8, 2021
    1
    The weakest games from the mainline Pokémon series yet. Developed entirely by greed, truly these games are proof that evil still exists in the world. Skwovet's pretty cute though.
  95. Feb 2, 2021
    0
    For a Switch game Compaired to Mario Zelda DragonQuest it was not that good..
    The game feels behind in Year 2010
    Where is the exploration, difficult and good story?
  96. Jan 25, 2021
    10
    I love it. This game absolutely does not deserve all the hate it has received.
  97. Jan 23, 2021
    0
    Gamefreak stopped in 1996. Terrbile technical issues, animations and lacks challenge.
  98. 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.
  99. Jan 20, 2021
    6
    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.
  100. 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.
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 89 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 89
  2. 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. 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.
  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]