Pokemon Shield

 Switch
User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 3465 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,154 out of 3465
  2. Mixed: 587 out of 3465
  3. Negative: 1,724 out of 3465
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. slambammer
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    That's right, I got Sword AND Shield. This series has become an absolute shell of its former self. I will not mention the National Dex controversy because I really don't care about it. But the graphics alone prevent me from immersing myself in this game in any way. Breath of the Wild, Xenoblade 2, and many, MANY other games manage to make even simple environments look better, and those areThat's right, I got Sword AND Shield. This series has become an absolute shell of its former self. I will not mention the National Dex controversy because I really don't care about it. But the graphics alone prevent me from immersing myself in this game in any way. Breath of the Wild, Xenoblade 2, and many, MANY other games manage to make even simple environments look better, and those are FAR bigger games. This game also follows the trend of stupification. The entire game is a tutorial, just like Sun and Moon. I know the primary demographic is a younger audience, but the older Pokemon games were aimed at kids too. There's no excuse for how insulting this game is to peoples' intelligence. The animations are lazy, and many are reused, the frame rates drop, and worst of all, this is an EXTREMELY short game. Even doing extra stuff and taking your time exploring, you'll be done with this game in a few days. Disappointing, utterly and completely disappointing.… Expand
  2. Kuroi_Zero
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    I do not like that this game has very few Pokémon, I do not like that they said that they made all of the Pokémon from 0 when it’s very likely that they used 3DS models for the Pokémon’s. They removed some of my favorite Pokémon, and that is just plain sad, Pokémon is a franchise I’ve been following loyaly since I am 10 years old now I’m 23 and I feel very sad I feel scammed. I feelI do not like that this game has very few Pokémon, I do not like that they said that they made all of the Pokémon from 0 when it’s very likely that they used 3DS models for the Pokémon’s. They removed some of my favorite Pokémon, and that is just plain sad, Pokémon is a franchise I’ve been following loyaly since I am 10 years old now I’m 23 and I feel very sad I feel scammed. I feel betrayed by a company which now just seeks money or at least is how I feel them now. Sorry gamefreak.… Expand
  3. Bolvin
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    The game is nice but you cant get all pokemon and thats a no go for a pokemon game so 0 points!
  4. FallHealer
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    This is by far the worst Pokemon game ever made. Having just 400 pokemon is not the biggest problem. Animations are ridiculous, graphics are terrible, looking like a 2000's game. The map is really short, extremely linear. Wild area, dinamax and camping are the only three new features in that make this game differen. The rest was just poorly copied from other franchise games.
  5. PokimonRanger
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Una completa basura hecha a la rápida, solo para vender por nombre y no por calidad.
  6. Clockworkenergy
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Same as Pokémon shield, same problems. Lack of innovation or charm from the earlier titles.
  7. Commiekiller
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Half-assed game with below 3DS graphics, awful in-game campaign, no post-game content, the animations are so bad not even a beginner would commit such gaffes. The national Dex was wrongfully cut in more than half of what it should be in the name of "quality" and "balance", but the game lacks either of them. This deserves a nice 0.
  8. Pollox28
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Si iban a recortar más de la mitad de los pokémon, al menos debieron haber respondido en algo.
    -Malos gráficos
    -Mala Historia
    -Mala jugabilidad    … Expand
  9. LordCaius
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Perfect example of how to betray Pokémon community and how to destroy what you have created in decades.
  10. ji-0
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Too low quality compared to 60% Pokemon, the most terrible story, terrible graphics and motion, and motion rehash. Terrible Design of New Pokemon
  11. Dementedcat785
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    The game is very short compared to some older games in the series. 60% of the pokemon were cut so building multiple teams for battle (my favorite thing) cant be done really. The animations are poor and are mostly rotations on an axis. There are some quality animations but its mostly mediocre. The render distance and models just popping in is very bad. The game is very easy (exp share isThe game is very short compared to some older games in the series. 60% of the pokemon were cut so building multiple teams for battle (my favorite thing) cant be done really. The animations are poor and are mostly rotations on an axis. There are some quality animations but its mostly mediocre. The render distance and models just popping in is very bad. The game is very easy (exp share is MANDATORY, and you get exp from catching pokemon. Losing is a challenge). The story in pokemon games recently has become annoying as your "rival" holds your hand and pesters you wherever you go. Gamefreak lied to fans about a lot of things (improving animations, not reusing models). Buying this game for 60 dollars isnt worth the game, and it definitely isnt worth supporting a lying company.… Expand
  12. pia-chu
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Odio que no tenga la pokedex nacional y que no pueda transferir los pokemones de mis juegos anteriores, muy enojada por eso. Además, gráficas no dignas de la consola, el juego es caro y se acaba en 30 horas. No lo vale, ya no seguiré comprando más juegos en preventa
  13. Felipex1
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    KD o slogan da franquia " catch them ALL". Devemos ficar satisfeitos com isso? É só ngm mais gastar dinheiro com essas coisas mal feitas para fãs, porque quando começar a causar prejuízo aí eles irão se preocupar
  14. poppinfresh
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    This game was a bit overrated in my opinion. 60 dollars for a Pokemon game is also too much.
  15. andersonwide
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Never in my entire live, i imagine this, me giving rate 0 to a pokemon game ...

    Don't buy this crap
  16. Shid
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    They lied and used 3DS game models and animations and they didn't even include all models in the game.
    Not to mention the innumerous bugs, horrible graphics and lousy finish.
    Do yourself a favor and don't buy it!
  17. HVeigaT
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Esse jogo destoa completamente do que é a franquia de jogos Pokémon, uma péssima região com pokemons interessantes, porém com mecânicas horríveis. Porque pokémons gigantes? Porque não temos a National Dex. Comprei o Nintendo Switch só para este jogo, e me arrependo profundamente.
  18. cumirebus2000
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Horrible game, don't undersatnd what are all the hypes about! shame on the developer for creating such lousy games. Wake up this is 2019!
  19. Rallsop13
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Simply not what the fans wanted. This is a rushed, rough-around-the-edges, 3DS game, with an HD coat of paint. This is not what anyone wanted or expected from the first mainline console release from the highest grossing media franchise of all time. There’s hardly a story besides the League, the battles are still just Pokémon sitting face to face, and the world textures look “last-gen”. ANYSimply not what the fans wanted. This is a rushed, rough-around-the-edges, 3DS game, with an HD coat of paint. This is not what anyone wanted or expected from the first mainline console release from the highest grossing media franchise of all time. There’s hardly a story besides the League, the battles are still just Pokémon sitting face to face, and the world textures look “last-gen”. ANY limitations that the Devs say that have are BS. They SHOULD have the funding and the time to give us the game we want. The series is moving in the right direction but it needs to cut the yearly release and give more time to craft a whole game for our current technology. I will not purchase another Pokémon game until this is achieved. Do better, GameFreak and Nintendo.

    (Note: I don’t actually think it is a 0/10, honestly it’s probably like 5/10, but I give a 0 as to keep the average score as low as possible in attempt to counteract the people that blindly throw 10/10s it’s way.)    … Expand
  20. ScottishDom
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    Incredible to think of the steps backwards made between this game and Pokemon B2/W2 (2012!!!). The missing features have been done to death, but I will never understand how cutting features can then be dressed as a good thing for any game. if reviewers were approaching this game in the wider context of standards set by the industry, it would be panned.

    Unfortunately, because these game    Incredible to think of the steps backwards made between this game and Pokemon B2/W2 (2012!!!). The missing features have been done to death, but I will never understand how cutting features can then be dressed as a good thing for any game. if reviewers were approaching this game in the wider context of standards set by the industry, it would be panned.

    Unfortunately, because these game are considered "for kids" nobody cares if the longtime fanbase of teens and adults are ripped off £60 for a game that is demonstrably inferior and less polished than both its predecessor and games the devs made 10 YEARS AGO. Ah well, I won't be buying anything else from these charlatans.    … Expand
  21. ConcernedParent
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    This game is really bad. Like, really bad. Before I returned it on behalf of my child, I played it through myself. Didn't take too long--Pathetic for a $60 game. The pokemons becoming big was also not that great. Do better next time, GameFreak.
  22. bettercritic
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    very dissapointed, i thought we were supposed to get an actual pokemon game after 'let's go', which was also a bad game.
  23. SuperiorSuisen
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sonora excelente ya es habitual que una entrega de Pokémon sea muy buena instrumentalmente hablando, por eso lo único que tenía que hacer era asegurarse que el gameplay no se sintiera pesado y la única tarea que tenían la hicieron mal. Más palabrashay para describir este juego, pero pocas quedan que no sean ofensivas, así que en conclusión sale más rentable comprarse un Gameboy y un cartucho al Pokémon Sword, no sólo puede salir al mismo precio si busca bien, hasta se puede optar por algo de mejor calidad.… Expand
  24. SaintLilith
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    With the removal of so much content, one would have expected groundbreaking new concepts. There were none. I could've bought Planet Zoo with less money than what they're charging for this.
  25. Wool
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    As a game its quite cute.But technical issues is killing me.0/0 I'm dissapointed
  26. notadinosaur
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    Gamefreak should be stripped of their rights being the sole developer of pokemon and give way to younger devs such as those who worked on BOTW and Xenoblade.

    Pokemon has TONS of potential but **** devs don't have the skill to make a full realization of pokemon as it should be.
  27. BugsyNanusu
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    A bug filled mess with less Pokemon than Diamond/Pearl. Non-existent difficulty. Graphics that look worse than the Pokemon games on the Gamecube. Do not support this cash grab!
  28. Gyroraptor
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    Really, really, bad graphic quality
    Really, really, REALLY bad animations
    Also recycled animations
    Framerate drops
    Insultingly easy
    Lazy company
  29. katttdillehay
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    I don't even know where to start. I've been playing pokemon since Pokemon Gold and Silver came out close to 20 years ago. I have never been more disappointed with a game in my life. Pokemon sun and moon were bad but this is just embarassing. Countless pokemon were cut so longtime fans can't even bring pokemon they've had for over 15 years with them into the new games. Mega evolutions and aI don't even know where to start. I've been playing pokemon since Pokemon Gold and Silver came out close to 20 years ago. I have never been more disappointed with a game in my life. Pokemon sun and moon were bad but this is just embarassing. Countless pokemon were cut so longtime fans can't even bring pokemon they've had for over 15 years with them into the new games. Mega evolutions and a crazy amount of content was cut for a rushed, lazy, disappointing game. Do not waste your money on this game that could barely be considered finished.… Expand
  30. RiceTwice
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    Worst game in the series by far. Don't waste your time and money, this game is horrible and incomplete. #GameFreakLied
Page:

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 89 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 89
  3. Negative: 0 out of 89
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Apr 30, 2020
    90
    Sword & Shield have a lot to love for old and new fans, and they're pure quality from top to bottom. [Issue #44 – January/February 2020, p. 72]
  2. GameCritics
    Feb 6, 2020
    75
    I enjoyed my time with Pokemon Sword and Shield, but I ended feeling conflicted. I appreciate many of the changes and felt that it generally respected my time, but I almost felt like a passive participant. The more complex gym challenges had a meatier role, but the narrative shouldn’t have been shoved to the side. Overall, I would recommend it to players who want to have a Pokemon experience, but this one won’t stick with me the way the older ones have.
    Read full review
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Jan 14, 2020
    78
    Pokemon Sword/Shield is uncharacteristically user-friendly: now there’s no need to backtrack half across the world to heal your entire team of pokemon or to get to a particular city, for example. [Issue#242, p.66]
See all critic reviews »