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. Galo_Ninja
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    It's amazing Game Freak's incompetence to promise to make a whole new and immersive game and bring a game with graphics and animations like the previous game. If I could summarize this game, I would say it is a lazy game that has no news, its characters are very similar to those of the previous game and without creativity and there is a great lack of content. A hasty game that I don'tIt's amazing Game Freak's incompetence to promise to make a whole new and immersive game and bring a game with graphics and animations like the previous game. If I could summarize this game, I would say it is a lazy game that has no news, its characters are very similar to those of the previous game and without creativity and there is a great lack of content. A hasty game that I don't recommend.

    É incrível a incompetência da Game Freak em prometer fazer um jogo totalmente novo e imersivo e trazer um jogo com gráficos e animações iguais ao do jogo anterior. Se eu pudesse resumir esse jogo, eu diria que é um jogo preguiçoso que não traz novidades, seus personagens são muito parecidos aos do jogo anterior e sem criatividade e há uma grande falta de conteúdo. Um jogo feito ás pressas que eu não recomendo.    … Expand
  2. hiimdaisy
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    I don't understand why people's reviews are getting deleted, including my brother's so I'm gonna post it for us both because not even this webpage is worthy of attention now apparently.

    The only positive the game has is that well, it's pokemon, it's kinda fun and chill at the end of the day but this specific iteration suffers from so many steps back it's actually kind of incredible.    I don't understand why people's reviews are getting deleted, including my brother's so I'm gonna post it for us both because not even this webpage is worthy of attention now apparently.

    The only positive the game has is that well, it's pokemon, it's kinda fun and chill at the end of the day but this specific iteration suffers from so many steps back it's actually kind of incredible.

    This game is rushed. Animations are choppy, graphic and texture quality is kind of horrible and there is performance issues everywhere to the point where in cutscenes and multiplayer double battles the docked switch can barely make it to 18fps.
    450+ pokemon got cut and no new models were made in the porting of the rest. Only 80 new pokemon. Uninspired music. A joke of a story that's as shallow as a hollywood influencer. Reused model for Hop from the Alola rival, who already was hated.

    The gameplay is the exact same, but duller. The music choice for many """"tense"""" moments is horrible, non-existent, or the game cuts into it suddenly without any sort of fade-in fade-out. Everything feels rushed.

    The difficulty aspect finishes killing this game off as boring and lackluster. Exp. Share is forced on and the AI is more ridiculous than ever. The game might be for kids but the lack of difficulty options is almost unforgivable at this point. Or multiple save files. Or be allowed to turn exp. share off. Or anything at all. This game holds your hand through the story even more than sun and moon and the permanent tutorial makes it even more linear than before.

    The story is the shortest, the variety the smallest in 17 years, the graphics look 2 or 3 generations old, the battle system is the exact same as always but duller (no megas, no z-moves, -150 moves, dynamax is a very uncompetitive feature if you care about that).
    Lack of innovation, lack of true open-world, wild area being buggy, laggy, lifeless and unvaried, etc. make me have to give this game a 1/10.

    Toby Fox's song gets that 1, otherwise it's just a cashgrab from gamefreak. Awful job.    … Expand
  3. GERKamil
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    Nach zwei Tagen spielen schon einen lvl. 100 Pokemon trainiert und alle Orden gesammelt. Die meisten (wenn nicht fast alle) Pokemon findet man in kleinen "freien" gebiet weshalb das Reisen zu bestimmten Orten unnötig ist. Alle besiegten Dynamax-Pokemon denken nicht ein mal daran aus den pokebällen zu entkommen wodurch es super einfach ist sie zu fangen und die Bonus items die man dabeiNach zwei Tagen spielen schon einen lvl. 100 Pokemon trainiert und alle Orden gesammelt. Die meisten (wenn nicht fast alle) Pokemon findet man in kleinen "freien" gebiet weshalb das Reisen zu bestimmten Orten unnötig ist. Alle besiegten Dynamax-Pokemon denken nicht ein mal daran aus den pokebällen zu entkommen wodurch es super einfach ist sie zu fangen und die Bonus items die man dabei bekommt machen das Spiel auch super einfach.… Expand
  4. arthuruea
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game looks like a beta version. Extremely poorly finished, with lousy graphics and animations. I don't believe they had the courage to launch.… Expand
  5. zanzou
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    Shortest mainline pokemon game ever made, no end game, fewest pokemon since generation 3, automatic EXP share means you are always too high-level, models were imported from a low-fi handheld game, terrible graphics and animation, dynamax is a terrible gimmick to replace mega-evolutions.
  6. Skbible748
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    I actually pre-ordered Pokemon Shield even if there is a national dex controversy.
    After I played this game, I have found several faults in this game.
    Above all, I wanna be neutral, objective in this personal review so that anyone who reads this post could be helped. Cons 1. Even if this game is based on Nintendo Switch platform, the graphics are not good enough. It is basically    I actually pre-ordered Pokemon Shield even if there is a national dex controversy.
    After I played this game, I have found several faults in this game.
    Above all, I wanna be neutral, objective in this personal review so that anyone who reads this post could be helped.

    Cons
    1. Even if this game is based on Nintendo Switch platform, the graphics are not good enough.
    It is basically funny to see that there are some drops in its frame rate. You can compare SwSh with other 1st party games such as Splatoon 2, Super Mario Oddysey, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, etc. Those games are set to be 60 fps and it is, only with some minor frame drops.

    However, SwSh? its graphics are worse than those 1st party games. Y'all know that Game Freak and Pokemon IP are so powerful, enormous, influential. So, they must be able to afford to make it look much sophisticated.
    Of course, I acknowledge that for the Pokemon game's standard, it is just good. But, still need more work.

    2. The lack of additional content.
    The removal of the sheer number of Pokemon mush have been compensated by the additional. auxiliary feature, sideline content such as Pokethlon, Poke-contest, etc so the underused, unpopular Pokemon like Delibird, Shuckle can be used to tackle in these league. But, there are no chance.

    Pros
    it became more convenient in some ways, symbol encounter + random encounter makes it look much vivid. That's all.

    Conclusion
    You'd better to buy the second-handed chip rather than buying it from eshop.    … Expand
  7. Gilligfan
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    Lousy graphics and animation in places!
    Laggy in places!
    Several launch day and pre-launch day
    bugs and glitches.
    A sad day for the franchise.
    Less quality and content with a higher price
    tag
  8. oinutrewas
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    This is NOT accettable in 2019
    It's the biggest franchise in the world but still we can't get a proper game.

    GF and Nintendo are clearly pointing to the wrong audience with these games, they need to realize that in 2019 most of the people who buys Pokemon are over 18 years old.

    STOP MAKING KIDS GAME
  9. pahono6888
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    It is the shortest Pokemon game ever released. It cut too much content compared to previous games. It is the culmination of years of downgrading products. There is no story but somehow it doesn't leave you alone to explore either. There is nothing to explore. No sense of adventure. There is nothing to do after you beat the main "story". That alone makes it a 4/10. But it is also buggy andIt is the shortest Pokemon game ever released. It cut too much content compared to previous games. It is the culmination of years of downgrading products. There is no story but somehow it doesn't leave you alone to explore either. There is nothing to explore. No sense of adventure. There is nothing to do after you beat the main "story". That alone makes it a 4/10. But it is also buggy and unpolished, so it is a legit 1/10… Expand
  10. Xkayz
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    Game feels rushed, incomplete, and limited. Animations often make no sense. Little to no post-game content.
  11. Mega-N
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    This game sucks low content, re-use animations from 3ds, lazy desings, bugs, and The post game has been ruined and The ñrice is still on 60$ thanks gamefreak for being line ea
  12. RODREZA
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    Its a game with a lot of bad textures and it lacks all the things that makes pokemon good, so disgusted
  13. ElFiloEro
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    Well, I don't have anything to say about this game.. just is terrible only that. Not kill me
  14. ThatOneGuy14
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was super hyped for this game and i couldent bring my chums over because i found out about #BringbackNationalDex until release day, i felt the game was too easy. Its ok to hand hold but not for the whole game.… Expand
  15. EonRonin
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    Not so good I'm not happy with the game Everything is wrong and the graphics are awful
  16. Gigachad
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    With a heavy heart I write this review.
    My long time friend, Vargene, has been a fan of Pocket Monsters ever since we were kids. Now, I personally lost interest in this series after Emerald, but my friend enjoyed every single iteration of these games. That is, up until now. Vargene's birthday was coming up and what better gift, or so I thought, than the latest new Pokémon game: Sword and    With a heavy heart I write this review.
    My long time friend, Vargene, has been a fan of Pocket Monsters ever since we were kids. Now, I personally lost interest in this series after Emerald, but my friend enjoyed every single iteration of these games. That is, up until now. Vargene's birthday was coming up and what better gift, or so I thought, than the latest new Pokémon game: Sword and Shield. I bought a copy for both of us, because I wanted to spend some time with my friend since we're both working adults now. At his birthday party, which comprised of him, myself, and his dog, I gave him the games. He was so excited, he had kept himself spoiler free all this time. I brought my Nintendo Switch so we could play together.
    When we started the game, both of us encountered crashes. No problem after a few tries. Once the ball got rolling we were transported to the world of Pokémon, while graphically on the low-end, I didn't mind as long as my friend was happy. We were plagued by the rival and champion character of the game. It was charming at first, but quickly turned to annoyance when the rival and the so called champion halted us in our exploration. Speaking of exploration, we were shocked when we encountered strong Pokémon, but were not allowed to capture them. I brushed away these minor hiccups, and my friend was thoroughly focused on the game. That's when the straw broke the camel's back. Vargene and I looked online to see how to transfer some Pokémon, he expressed horror when we came across information that his favorite Pokémon, the one he raised since we were kids, his Venusaur, could not be transferred. He burst into tears, I couldn't believe it, I thought this game was meant for "long-time veterans". The fact that one of the original starter trio was excluded from the game was unforgivable. I calmed him down and we played the Digimon game that came out on the Switch together instead. Vargene was angry and never wants associate with the Pokémon brand ever again.
    I, of course, returned both our copies. Its tragic that this game had to ruin my friend's birthday party. I strongly dislike this game and only give it a 1 out of pity towards hard-working developers who were no doubt shut down and out while making it.
    Please avoid this game, and brand until they create a worthwhile product.

    Sincerely,
    A Disheartened Customer    … Expand
  17. ryguyreiser
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    F in the chat for Gamefreak and the Pokemon Company. Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon made me lose hope in the series, but now it is clear to see just how far low this series has come to.
    Yikes.

    Please do not support this game or you are actively telling the Pokemon Company to keep putting out bad, lazily made, poor quality games.
  18. Craiglis5
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    Just got pokemon shield and boy am I disappointed. I've had every game in the series since gen 1 and while they all have pros and cons,each new version attempts to improve on the old until now. In a vaccum it's not a bad game,the story and characters are done well enough and I never encountered any game breaking bug. But as the sequel to sun and moon it's a joke. No nationalJust got pokemon shield and boy am I disappointed. I've had every game in the series since gen 1 and while they all have pros and cons,each new version attempts to improve on the old until now. In a vaccum it's not a bad game,the story and characters are done well enough and I never encountered any game breaking bug. But as the sequel to sun and moon it's a joke. No national dex,proccessing issues like the world freezing if you climb a ladder, and features that were streamlined taking a step back. Online trading is this clunky hit or miss process now instead of being able to search for a specific pokemon you want like in the past. If this is your first pokemon game you will have fun,but if you are a fan of the series only the most rose tinted of glasses will save you from disappointment and frustration.… Expand
  19. Kurisuda2992
    Nov 18, 2019
    1
    Compared to other Pokemon games that I have played this isn't one of the greats. The game itself isn't all too breathtaking, the battles only got a few animation improvements but that's about it. The wild area is the best part of this game and it slowly becomes dull, the curry cooking and relaxing with your pokemon is great. The one thing that irritated me was the lack of postgame content.Compared to other Pokemon games that I have played this isn't one of the greats. The game itself isn't all too breathtaking, the battles only got a few animation improvements but that's about it. The wild area is the best part of this game and it slowly becomes dull, the curry cooking and relaxing with your pokemon is great. The one thing that irritated me was the lack of postgame content. Dynamax is cool for a little while (4-5 times for me) then it got boring as well. If the game gets some updates in regards to more content or adding pokemon from previous games then I'll raise up my score.… Expand
  20. Janguru
    Nov 17, 2019
    1
    Lol non solo questo gioco ti sbatte in faccia il fatto che è palese che è lacunoso povero e tirato su di fretta e che te lo vendono come un tripla A e non solo! È doppio! Con lo stesso gioco da 20mila € tirano fuori 2 cartucce! Bene... Doppia recensione onesta.. 1
  21. Lenngel
    Nov 17, 2019
    1
    Bueno habiéndole echado unas horas al pokemon escudo, opino que tener una pokedex de 400 bichos cuando en la anterior habia 809 es una vergüenza. Eso no significa que haya la mitad, porque a esos 809 hay que sumar los pokemon de la nueva generación.
    Por otro lado la falta de texturas en un juego triple A en pleno 2019 es bastante flagrante, las caidas de fps brutales hasta en las    Bueno habiéndole echado unas horas al pokemon escudo, opino que tener una pokedex de 400 bichos cuando en la anterior habia 809 es una vergüenza. Eso no significa que haya la mitad, porque a esos 809 hay que sumar los pokemon de la nueva generación.
    Por otro lado la falta de texturas en un juego triple A en pleno 2019 es bastante flagrante, las caidas de fps brutales hasta en las cinemáticas, y la dificultad del juego es irrisoria. Las animaciones son de 3DS, no solo porque estén mal hechas sino porque literalmente están copiadas del código del anterior juego. Lo mismo pasa con los sprites de los pokemon, estan copiados y levemente remasterizados. Que se congele el juego al subir escaleras no pasaba ni en la n64, y todos los elementos del mapa menos los edificios mas importantes aparecen de la nada cuando te acercas. Podriamos aceptarlo con los pokes salvajes pero pasa tambien con los árboles, esos que estan sacados del ocarina of time.
    Lo bueno: el inicial de planta, el de agua solo en su forma inicial, algo mas de libertad de movimiento (ni de coña estamos ante un mundo abierto).

    Definitivamente, no estamos ante el peor pokemon de la historia porque era dificil superar al Let’s Go, pero sin duda rivalizan por el puesto ambos. Llevamos tres tomaduras de pelo seguidas en esta saga, ultrasol, letsgo y espada, yo creo que ya va siendo hora de que game freak se desprenda de esta saga y se la entregue a una compañía que pretenda cuidarla.    … Expand
  22. GarmaSword
    Nov 17, 2019
    1
    Worst game in the franchise by far, "Gotta catch 'em all" died with this game, mega evolutions , z moves... All gone
  23. SlowbroLin
    Nov 22, 2022
    1
    It is meaningless when I can not get my old Pokemons back! And I think that Mega Evolution is the most beautiful thing since Pokemon XY! And it is gone in this generation!
  24. paulitomm
    Nov 17, 2019
    1
    below average graphics, few pokemons little innovation pokemons do not accompany the player
  25. Falk22
    Nov 17, 2019
    1
    Withdrawing more than half of the pokemons to improve performance and make the game more polished, gamefreak lied.
  26. Zappy13
    Nov 17, 2019
    1
    the game is good in the first hour , the next is really bad they dont work in the game after the first gym
  27. Theco
    Nov 17, 2019
    1
    Jogo inacabado, cortaram metade da dex, modelos de Sun and moon, animações horríveis
  28. Tanhayden
    Mar 23, 2020
    1
    Pokemon Sword and Shield are brutally disappointing for a modern video game. When compared to the kind of detail and depth found in games on other consoles this game is blisteringly behind the times. At the same price point Bethesda, ubisoft, rockstar, and (dare I say it) EA are producing games that blow Pokemon out of the water. The Pokemon company could benefit from cutting ties fromPokemon Sword and Shield are brutally disappointing for a modern video game. When compared to the kind of detail and depth found in games on other consoles this game is blisteringly behind the times. At the same price point Bethesda, ubisoft, rockstar, and (dare I say it) EA are producing games that blow Pokemon out of the water. The Pokemon company could benefit from cutting ties from Gamefreak and allowing a more modern game developer run with the pokemon franchise. For as popular as pokemon is, they should be comparable to AAA games, rather than being Indy-quality. All of the above is not to mention the bugs, janky gameplay, lack of character voices, constantly interruptive dialogue, lack of post-game content, lack of a z-axis camera control, rushed storyline, and every other aggravating aspect that makes the game an underwhelming experience. Something I wish I had rented, rather than had bought.… Expand
  29. JankieHands
    Nov 18, 2019
    1
    I really like the new pokemon designs. but thats the only positive thing i can think out. they cut pokemons. there is a insane quantity of cutscenes that stops the flow and very short game for the series. there is not enough value for the price.
  30. Upsset
    Nov 18, 2019
    1
    I got it opening night at midnight I'm 32 hours deep and I have to say I have seen a lot of problems with this game the frame rate is slow half the Pokemon are gone and I could live with that however the game crashes, it has frozen on me twice, this game was advertised to be a hard core Pokemon game for hardcore Pokemon players it was not it was an entry-level game comprable to let's goI got it opening night at midnight I'm 32 hours deep and I have to say I have seen a lot of problems with this game the frame rate is slow half the Pokemon are gone and I could live with that however the game crashes, it has frozen on me twice, this game was advertised to be a hard core Pokemon game for hardcore Pokemon players it was not it was an entry-level game comprable to let's go Pikachu in fact it was about as hard as let's go Pikachu I finish the story in about 15 hours I will say it was enjoyable it was not very deep but Pokemon games often don't have a deep storyline however it was really hand-holding you can't do anything without being told what to do and I do mean anything you fight somebody as soon as you're done somebody comes up and talks to you there's no voice acting which makes the game feel really old AND. Gave me hardcore GameCube Vibes not only that it feels and plays.ike a 3ds game, not only that other than catching one legendary there is no postgame there is absolutely nothing to do there's no farther story there is nothing in fact all there is to do is grind in the battle tower or in the wild area and that's basically just pregame for online which doesn't really actually exist it's a really difficult to connect with anyone to play online and trading is a nightmare, I feel ripped off for the first time in 20 years by pokemon, and its sad,… Expand
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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]
See all critic reviews »