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. Leandroizoton
    Jun 25, 2020
    10
    Honestly, I don’t understand the Pokémon fandom sometimes. Pokémon Sword and Shield only flaw is a short history, that they are completing with two DLC costing half the price of a game, so even without the second half, is already the best Pokémon Game for me.
    The soundtrack is delicious. The Wild Area gives plenty of fun. Since the launching there’s always some Event going on and to top    Honestly, I don’t understand the Pokémon fandom sometimes. Pokémon Sword and Shield only flaw is a short history, that they are completing with two DLC costing half the price of a game, so even without the second half, is already the best Pokémon Game for me.
    The soundtrack is delicious. The Wild Area gives plenty of fun. Since the launching there’s always some Event going on and to top all that they created one of the most fluids breeding mechanic in the game.
    I would only wish that they would patch the chain method for shinies. Other than that, great way to start the main series in a new console.    … Expand
  2. EllEll
    Jul 10, 2020
    10
    Great game for Pokémon fans I think the reason why the graphics are not so good is because they wanted to focus on the gameplay!!! Worth your time.
  3. Gastly67
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    Compre este para tenerlo en la coleccion, sufre lo mismo que el de Pokémon Sword, pero sigue siendo buen juego para los fans dee pokémon
  4. MrGoombs
    Aug 21, 2020
    10
    it’s overhated it’s not a bad game or a good game but it’s still fun and that’s what matters i wouldn’t give it a 10/10 but i am to counteract the trolls in reality i’d give it a 8/10
  5. MagicMikey
    Aug 23, 2020
    10
    The absence of the National Dex in my opinion means nothing to me. Gen 3 didn't bother me when I couldn't trade up my boys then. The New Pokemon added in my opinion are some of the best in series. Most JRPG games let you have like 4-8 characters 400 is more than enough for me. The only problem I had with the game was the curry dex. Sword/Shield are leagues better than X/Y and Sun/MoonThe absence of the National Dex in my opinion means nothing to me. Gen 3 didn't bother me when I couldn't trade up my boys then. The New Pokemon added in my opinion are some of the best in series. Most JRPG games let you have like 4-8 characters 400 is more than enough for me. The only problem I had with the game was the curry dex. Sword/Shield are leagues better than X/Y and Sun/Moon and i'm very happy with gyms being back, the quality of life buffs when it come to breeding/training competitive Pokemon and now there’s no need to backtrack half across the world to heal your entire team… Expand
  6. rebuzzi
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    its not as bad as people say, i really enjoyed the game! the new pokemon designs are amazing! im ready for the next generation
  7. lehepl
    Dec 5, 2020
    10
    One of my favourite games of all time. The low reviews definetly have their merit, but whilst playing they are barely noticable. The story is good and the DLC is amazing. Definetly one of the best pokemon games.
  8. luis18716
    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.
  9. Mckenzieawesome
    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.
  10. khoitran101507
    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.
  11. A-Kratonos
    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.    … Expand
  12. Darkspawn677
    Jun 4, 2022
    10
    Pokemon sword and shield is good but it should have mega evolution dynamax and z moves in one game and i liked mega evolution more than z moves
  13. TheDonKiotie
    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
  14. 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.
  15. 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
  16. Rapeest
    Mar 30, 2022
    10
    This game is probably the best Pokémon game to come in a long time. So many unique pokémon and fun fights will make you forget about the real world.
  17. Nintendist
    Jul 2, 2022
    10
    i love this game. is so good and very very strategic. one of the best games ever
  18. GavinRhodes
    Jul 28, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pokémon Sword And Shield are the second best Pokémon games in the entire franchise after generation five i love the dynamaxing mechanic and the gigantamaxing. the game has such a cool region with interesting gym leaders and the dex cut is no big deal because the wild area offers a massive varity early on in your adventure when choosing a team for your adventure.… Expand
  19. KinimodYunmi
    Dec 12, 2022
    10
    Die neue Grafik und das neue Movement ist perfekt, hat extre viel Spaß gemacht, wirklich alles top!
  20. Reference_Queen
    Oct 6, 2022
    10
    This game is for chill people. It fixes the quality of life problems of previous games & is very easy.
    It's different from the past games, and that's what gets it a lot of bad reviews. It's very easy, it's not balanced for competitive play, the story is mediocre, there's not a ton of available pokemon (looking at Skitty), the postgame is short, and it's easy to complete the entire game in    This game is for chill people. It fixes the quality of life problems of previous games & is very easy.
    It's different from the past games, and that's what gets it a lot of bad reviews. It's very easy, it's not balanced for competitive play, the story is mediocre, there's not a ton of available pokemon (looking at Skitty), the postgame is short, and it's easy to complete the entire game in two weeks. I love all of these things (except the lack of Skitty). This game was designed for children to play and I appreciate that – the first game I ever played was Pokemon White and I still haven't beaten it. Tiny Me got frustrated just trying to find my way to the next gym.
    Sword/Shield fixes everything I hated about the previous Pokemon games, and that's a long list:
    Curry is my favorite feature. Cooking makes it possible to heal your pokemon without using items or a pokemon center, and gives XP. Curry also makes it easy to make your pokemon love you, so friendship evolutions are a LOT easier. Friendship and happiness are combined in this game, so there's no "affection isn't the same as friendship" bullcrap like Sun/Moon. Getting Eeveelutions is a simple process.
    HMs are gone from this world, finally. Flying to a location is just going to the map and clicking where you want to go, and a flying taxi takes you there. A godsend.
    Most pokemon encounters are in the overworld, and caves are no longer the most annoying thing ever! Repels aren't a necessary item anymore.
    The X menu tells you where your next objective is and how to get there, so you can't get lost or forget where you were supposed to go.
    Leveling is very easy and the EXP is automatically distributed throughout your party. Playing with your pokemon is a lot more fun and open, with the ability to throw balls for your Yamper and Legendary; you just can't pet them (this also gives XP which is nice). Dynamax is a fun thing that helps make the game super easy, and raid dens give XP Candies and sometimes Rare Candies, which makes leveling even easier. With XP Candies, you don't have to grind wild pokemon all the time.
    Boxes are accessible from the X Menu wherever you are, and they're much easier to use.
    There are both regular TMs and breakable TRs that are free and purchasable.
    Moves can be deleted and relearned whenever you visit a Pokemon Center.
    Berries are easily acquired but not easily farmable like the Poké Pelago of Sun/Moon.
    It's also fun to customize your character with clothes! Since money is so plentiful, you can pretty much buy everything eventually :D
    This is my personal favorite Pokemon game because it applies to my style of gameplay: "Who wants things to be hard?" I'd recommend SWSH to anyone who disliked previous Pokemon games for being too difficult, people who like messing around after beating the game, and for anyone who wants to play a chill game where nothing threatens you :3    … Expand
  21. TaniaTucker
    Nov 10, 2022
    10
    A mí me ha gustado. Veo otras críticas que se quejan de los gráficos, pero sí veo un avance. Aún así, sí eres capaz de dejar a un lado eso, el juego es precioso. La historia está bien, me encantan las zonas salvajes, pasé horas y horas buscando pokemons jejeje y los DLC fueron una delicia. Para mí es recomendable
  22. divegold
    Nov 19, 2022
    10
    Pokemon sword and shiel is great! It has the best gym environment, the best gym leaders and a wonderful soundtrack! Not to mention the well-built dex! The best pokemon experience I've had on the switch
  23. abc1234567890
    Mar 9, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love action-packed battles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  24. Danikyo-Inverso
    May 13, 2023
    10
    De lo mejor en toda la franquicia, y aunque no es tan bueno como la gloriosa 7ma generación, este juego supone un gran paso adelante en el aspecto gráfico y competitivo, con mas de 400 pokémon capturables, uno esta servido en cuanto a contenido se refiere, y aunque muchos digan lo contrario, las animaciones son de lo mejor en la saga
    Artísticamente hermoso.
  25. Mon0chromicorn
    Nov 26, 2019
    9
    Review bombers tears taste great!

    I grew up during the birth of pokemon it was all the rage innemementary school, so naturally I had the Gameboy game, toys, and cards and all that. I wouldn't say I'm a die-hard fan but I keep the pokemon franchise near and dear to my heart because of its nastalgia. I've maybe owned 5 games that were released on hand held and beat one of them to the    Review bombers tears taste great!

    I grew up during the birth of pokemon it was all the rage innemementary school, so naturally I had the Gameboy game, toys, and cards and all that. I wouldn't say I'm a die-hard fan but I keep the pokemon franchise near and dear to my heart because of its nastalgia. I've maybe owned 5 games that were released on hand held and beat one of them to the fullest and that was pokemon pearl.

    I picked up shield so I can play it on my switch lite. I must say it is one of the best pokemon games I've played I'm completely hooked. The only complaint is some of the animations for a few attacks are very lacking, I think they couldve improved it on that. I give the game a 9.5.

    Don't let the review bombing Gen z babies sway you away. It's a great, fun solid game in the pokemon franchise.    … Expand
  26. Kanazawa
    Aug 10, 2020
    9
    I'm blown away. I don't know why I put off this game for so long but this is the best pokemon game I have ever played. I'm as surprised as when Black/White 2 came out. The cinematics turned out to be crucial to really get into this game and man did they do a wonderful job. Bravo. -1 for being easy though
  27. ragnawind
    Nov 15, 2019
    9
    The game is great. It could use some work, but this was nice as a first attempt at a mainline Pokemon game on the Switch. It has quite a few new interesting features, as well. For example, you can now change natures and make any Pokemon competitive without grinding or hacking. They may have cut a lot of Pokemon, but that was bound to happen sooner or later. The Pokedex is just getting tooThe game is great. It could use some work, but this was nice as a first attempt at a mainline Pokemon game on the Switch. It has quite a few new interesting features, as well. For example, you can now change natures and make any Pokemon competitive without grinding or hacking. They may have cut a lot of Pokemon, but that was bound to happen sooner or later. The Pokedex is just getting too big. Even Digimon games don't have all of the Digimon in them and they never did. It is a miracle Pokemon lasted with all of them for 7 generations of mainline titles. They even add some new forms for old Pokemon as well as giving some Gen 1 Pokemon new evolutions, such as Farfetch'd… Expand
  28. iozay
    Nov 17, 2019
    9
    Great game, Gamefreak has however made a few mistakes (Cutting pokedex without good reasons and it not being up to the standards for a Nintendo game) but other than that the game is great :)
  29. Andmyaxe90
    Nov 15, 2019
    9
    I don't understand the hate this game gets. Yes, it's a bit rough around the edges, but the points made by the negative people don't stand. The dex cut was needed. Balancing 890 Pokémon is an impossible task. The animations are fine. But most importantly: the game is fun.
  30. Soul3cho
    Nov 18, 2019
    9
    Try not to listen to the butthurt fanboys below that like to scream that the game is bad because the national dex inst in the game and play for yourself first.

    Really great experience, the new animations give a whole new life to the experience, raiding is surprisingly fun an all in all got me back into pokemon!
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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 »