Pokemon Shield

 Switch
User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 3465 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,154 out of 3465
  2. Mixed: 587 out of 3465
  3. Negative: 1,724 out of 3465
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  1. Parco8
    Mar 5, 2022
    7
    This is a great Pokémon game. I don't care about the missing Pokémon. The bad critics are only caused because of the bad answer Game Freak gave about the Dex cut. It is a thing they would have done someday. The story is linear, a sufficiency without any problems. Designs and musics are perfect, those are things Game Freak never made a mistake about. Besides that, the short time theThis is a great Pokémon game. I don't care about the missing Pokémon. The bad critics are only caused because of the bad answer Game Freak gave about the Dex cut. It is a thing they would have done someday. The story is linear, a sufficiency without any problems. Designs and musics are perfect, those are things Game Freak never made a mistake about. Besides that, the short time the developers have for making these games are the main reason why it shows big criticisims. At the end of the game it slowly loses originality like they didn't have enough time to think exciting challenges to put at the end. Single player endgame's kind of absent, too. It can't be less then a 7 for me by the way.… Expand
  2. Plinfi
    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. AprilLondon
    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. Black_S
    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. Firekirb74
    Feb 19, 2022
    6
    Is this game the best PKMN game? Absolutely not. The story isn't that great, the game's map design is pretty terrible, and the game is rather easy overall. I don't mind the lack of the National Dex, but the graphics should definitely be better. There are also not many QoL features in this game. But, this is one of the best games for competitive battling, the characters are all great, theIs this game the best PKMN game? Absolutely not. The story isn't that great, the game's map design is pretty terrible, and the game is rather easy overall. I don't mind the lack of the National Dex, but the graphics should definitely be better. There are also not many QoL features in this game. But, this is one of the best games for competitive battling, the characters are all great, the Wild Area is super fun and enjoyable, and the music is bopping. I don't think this is the best thing in the world, but it certainly does not deserve this much hate.
    Gameplay: great 8/10
    Charm: 6/10
    Graphics: 4/10
    Sound: 9/10
    Other: 5/10
    Total Score: 6/10    … Expand
  6. LauritsAM
    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. UltanCombo
    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.    … Expand
  8. sunny_rip
    Feb 5, 2022
    7
    Pokémon Sword and Shield are alright games in the series, I feel like they deserve more credit, but as time goes on, I'm more willing to point out it's flaws.

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

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

    Cons:
    -Wild Area graphics can look kinda rough sometimes
    -The story isn't that good.
    -Some evolution methods are incredibly annoying.
    -If you don't get the DLC, then there isn't much to do in the post game.
    -Removes Mega Evolution.
    -Some Pokémon are very hard to obtain.    … Expand
  9. albegres
    Feb 5, 2022
    7
    70/100
    If you're into competitive Pokémon battles, this is one of the best in the series! If you're not, this game has a boring story, even more than the previous games. Artstyle and music good as always. Story and graphic are terrible, sadly.
  10. 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).
  11. fanmadeendings
    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. dragonblade
    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. eljajas
    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. Federx
    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. 32fromdiscord
    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. Lil_Caucasian
    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. SnorlaxGeek
    Jan 29, 2022
    4
    Jogo feio, e pouco original. É um absurdo o que a Gamefreak está fazendo com a franquia Pokémon.
  18. I_Trust_In_GF
    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. GenkiYokota
    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. FullFeeder
    Jan 26, 2022
    5
    Amazing game, overall a fantastic addition to the franchise, even though graphic wise it's average at best.
  21. Fireyoshi779
    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. FROSTYDEVIL08
    Jan 11, 2022
    0
    Terrible, just so boring with too many bs mechanics. Such a terrible experience and no one should play it.
  23. ducnam2005
    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. HildaSimp5
    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.    … Expand
  25. Pitohui9441
    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.    … Expand
  26. 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
  27. LunarD3ATH
    Dec 30, 2021
    5
    Shills making reviews now? These are FAR from the best Pokemon games ever made. In fact, they're low-tier and average *at best* but even that feels like it's giving Game Freak too much credit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Seriously, what's the point of future-proofing models if you're just not going to use them?    … Expand
  28. 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
  29. Reddytal
    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. 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.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 89 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 89
  3. Negative: 0 out of 89
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Apr 30, 2020
    90
    Sword & Shield have a lot to love for old and new fans, and they're pure quality from top to bottom. [Issue #44 – January/February 2020, p. 72]
  2. GameCritics
    Feb 6, 2020
    75
    I enjoyed my time with Pokemon Sword and Shield, but I ended feeling conflicted. I appreciate many of the changes and felt that it generally respected my time, but I almost felt like a passive participant. The more complex gym challenges had a meatier role, but the narrative shouldn’t have been shoved to the side. Overall, I would recommend it to players who want to have a Pokemon experience, but this one won’t stick with me the way the older ones have.
    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]
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