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. ddark14
    Nov 18, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. los intercambios con amigos estan un poco complicados, la transición a consola mas potente me parece excelente, buena historia, buenas mecanicas… Expand
  2. Ruvi
    Nov 20, 2019
    9
    It's my first real Pokemon game though so I don't know all the drama behind the expectations other people had for it. I think It's relaxing and fun. Well thought out!
  3. PixelChicken
    Nov 18, 2019
    9
    I want to start by saying the only reason this got a 9 instead of a 10 is purely because i believe nothing can be perfect. Pokemon shield (and sword but whatever) is a great game and lives up to the rest of the series easily.

    As the first real entry on console it does a good job showing off how expansive the world can be with the wild area. While this doesn't take up the whole game you    I want to start by saying the only reason this got a 9 instead of a 10 is purely because i believe nothing can be perfect. Pokemon shield (and sword but whatever) is a great game and lives up to the rest of the series easily.

    As the first real entry on console it does a good job showing off how expansive the world can be with the wild area. While this doesn't take up the whole game you can spend hours just wandering around finding things you wouldn't expect, i'm looking at you level 60 pokemon and final evolutions. It actually starts to feel like how the pokemon world is in the anime and i love it.

    People complain about the graphics but honestly if you think graphics are the most important part of a game then i don't think your playing games right.

    There is more i want to say but haven't got time so i'll end with this

    Toby. Fox. Made. Music. For. The. Game

    that's all the convincing i needed    … Expand
  4. Ya_boi_Jingles
    Nov 18, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I absolutely love and adore this game. I am aware of the flaws it has which is why it doesn’t get a perfect score, but it’s just such a blast to play, and the Champion, Leon, was one of the most amazing fights I’ve played in Pokémon. It really was challenging. The new Pokémon are fantastic, and the music is amazing.… Expand
  5. ArosFarron
    Nov 19, 2019
    9
    Dispite the controversy around certain aspects of the game. I can say it was well rounded and overall good quality. The online does need a bit of work as the Y-Comm systems is not as easily useful as the Festival Plaza or the Comm feature in XY. Despite that however, you don't feel the lack of a national dex because if diverse each and every Pokemon is. The battles are still as fast passesDispite the controversy around certain aspects of the game. I can say it was well rounded and overall good quality. The online does need a bit of work as the Y-Comm systems is not as easily useful as the Festival Plaza or the Comm feature in XY. Despite that however, you don't feel the lack of a national dex because if diverse each and every Pokemon is. The battles are still as fast passes and strategic as always.… Expand
  6. Naraku
    Jan 16, 2020
    9
    Un gran avance en los juegos de pokémon, la verdad es que desde el pokémon Lets Go se me hacen juegos muy fáciles, la dificultad se ha perdido por completo y eso es un gran punto en contra, por otro lado los gráficos son fantásticos y la historia es buena.
  7. Maliao01
    Nov 19, 2019
    9
    Tiene grandes mecanicas que pueden sen mejor utilizadas pero este juegoe s odidado por su fandom que es el mas toxico
  8. fidalgo0
    Nov 20, 2019
    9
    The story is amazing and entertaining. The pokemon selection, despite incomplete, is perfect for the region. The music is amongst the best of all the franchise. The wild area is immersive, and a great step forward in the franchise.
  9. theangryscapula
    Nov 20, 2019
    9
    Ultimately a very fun and immersive Pokemon experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. The new Pokemon designs are stellar, the region is beautiful, and the music is absolutely incredible. While there is still a lot of room to expand in this franchise, and this game has a number of flaws, it's easy to overlook them and enjoy what is in my opinion the most ambitious and utterlyUltimately a very fun and immersive Pokemon experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. The new Pokemon designs are stellar, the region is beautiful, and the music is absolutely incredible. While there is still a lot of room to expand in this franchise, and this game has a number of flaws, it's easy to overlook them and enjoy what is in my opinion the most ambitious and utterly charming entry to date.… Expand
  10. Tim22008
    Nov 21, 2019
    9
    Good game.
    Story isnt excited got through main story and post story in around 15h.
    But the new gym format is nice.
    The dexcut sucks but u can catch 400 Pokemon in one game - version exclusive which is nice.
    the wild area lags docked online which is kinda sad.
    The wild area is nice but kinda empty and the spawn radius of pokemon is kinda low.
    Raids are fun!
  11. Cindadams1
    Nov 21, 2019
    9
    I don’t understand all the hate. I get it, Pokemon were cut, that was a mistake. The gym battles, the characters, the character development, all on point. I can’t remember the last time I walked away from a Pokémon game remembering each individual gym leader. Also, the MUSIC. Omg. The music is so good. I came into this game very skeptical, and was worried about how it wouldI don’t understand all the hate. I get it, Pokemon were cut, that was a mistake. The gym battles, the characters, the character development, all on point. I can’t remember the last time I walked away from a Pokémon game remembering each individual gym leader. Also, the MUSIC. Omg. The music is so good. I came into this game very skeptical, and was worried about how it would play out. Please please don’t listen to these upset fan boys. This game is a masterpiece, just with a few rough edges.… Expand
  12. Cmw2605
    Nov 21, 2019
    9
    Es stimmt. Technisch ist an dem Spiel nicht alles 100 prozentig optimiert, doch mir ging es schon immer mehr um Spielfluss und Spielgefühl bei Pokémon und das bekommen Schwert und Schild besser hin als viele andere. Wenn man sich nicht dem wütenden Mob anschließt, sondern sich selbst eine unvoreingenommene Meinung von dem Spiel bildet, so glaube ich, dass man durch Spiel geht und dieseEs stimmt. Technisch ist an dem Spiel nicht alles 100 prozentig optimiert, doch mir ging es schon immer mehr um Spielfluss und Spielgefühl bei Pokémon und das bekommen Schwert und Schild besser hin als viele andere. Wenn man sich nicht dem wütenden Mob anschließt, sondern sich selbst eine unvoreingenommene Meinung von dem Spiel bildet, so glaube ich, dass man durch Spiel geht und diese Fehler einfach übersieht, denn der Fokus der Entwickler lag woanders.… Expand
  13. supgaming
    Nov 22, 2019
    9
    It’s a good game, I really recommend for those who just want a sit down for a couple of hours and do something.
  14. nGrangetto
    Nov 22, 2019
    9
    Gran juego. Me gusta mucho la región, los nuevos pokemons. En si los graficos no son la gran cosa, pero son muy lindos. La musica es más que interesante, y la historia si bien es corta, a mí me resulto interesante. La opción de poder interactuar con amigos en incursiones es muy buena, abré camino a que esto continue mejorando para las proximas entregas. Lo unico que NO me gusta tanto es elGran juego. Me gusta mucho la región, los nuevos pokemons. En si los graficos no son la gran cosa, pero son muy lindos. La musica es más que interesante, y la historia si bien es corta, a mí me resulto interesante. La opción de poder interactuar con amigos en incursiones es muy buena, abré camino a que esto continue mejorando para las proximas entregas. Lo unico que NO me gusta tanto es el tema Dinamax/Gigantamax, pero es algo personal, no creo que sea determinante para calificar el juego como mejor o peor. En fin, quienes gusten de Pokemon van a encontrar un nuevo mundo para explorar y conocer, y nuevos pokemones más que interesantes.… Expand
  15. ToasterRoaster
    Nov 22, 2019
    9
    This game feels incredible. All the subtle animation and UI changes look and feel amazing, compared to SuMo. The wild area is expansive and can at points feel overwhelming, but is overall worth exploring with neat items scattered around. There's also an odd, playful charm with the cooking mechanic, as it works well and feels rewarding. Battling also feels good. The amount of availableThis game feels incredible. All the subtle animation and UI changes look and feel amazing, compared to SuMo. The wild area is expansive and can at points feel overwhelming, but is overall worth exploring with neat items scattered around. There's also an odd, playful charm with the cooking mechanic, as it works well and feels rewarding. Battling also feels good. The amount of available Pokémon is ironically almost overwhelming once you get to the wild area.
    It's fun and worth a buy. Don't listen to the current average metacritic score. The Pokémon being gone is really not a huge deal and is barely noticeable. The game finds it's own charm and fun. Try it before you review bombing it.    … Expand
  16. PontoCom
    Nov 23, 2019
    9
    ninety percent of the people who rated this game badly certainly did not play, because this game is a very good and addictive masterpiece
  17. LisaRueh
    Nov 25, 2019
    9
    This is a great game - I had a lot of fun playing it and enjoyed the whole thing. It isn't a 100 % there yet and is still a bit rough around the edges but I don't regret buying or playing it. The game play is nice and works well - there are three things bothering me within the game - 1. you cannot turn off or filter all the notifications you receive on the lower left hand side for onlineThis is a great game - I had a lot of fun playing it and enjoyed the whole thing. It isn't a 100 % there yet and is still a bit rough around the edges but I don't regret buying or playing it. The game play is nice and works well - there are three things bothering me within the game - 1. you cannot turn off or filter all the notifications you receive on the lower left hand side for online playing, 2. the instructions for how cooking works are a bit too limited, 3. the limitation of implemented Pokemon (even though I don't think, that this is such a big deal).
    Otherwise I think it is a great game with a really great story, great game play and I really enjoyed that the game and the opponents you face have actual emotions and things happen, that you don't naturally expect. I also really enjoyed the graphics and the 3D world - how the Pokemon run around on the map and I can actually see them - that was great and an awesome addition.    … Expand
  18. Starcat
    Nov 25, 2019
    9
    Just shut the freaking **** up the game is really good not the best but still good. The gym leaders are really fun mega evolution was cut but we have gigantamax now. The look of the game is really good, it's cartoony but this stile really works with pokemon. Yes, the game still has bad things for example the lack of multiple save files. (My fav pokemon was cut but I don't care because theJust shut the freaking **** up the game is really good not the best but still good. The gym leaders are really fun mega evolution was cut but we have gigantamax now. The look of the game is really good, it's cartoony but this stile really works with pokemon. Yes, the game still has bad things for example the lack of multiple save files. (My fav pokemon was cut but I don't care because the game is still really fun and I always use the new pokemons instead of the old ones.) :3 also putting bad grades to a good game is not ethical the game is not the greatest but its not as bad as some haters say.… Expand
  19. ArthurSG
    Nov 27, 2019
    9
    great game but the graphics leave a little to be desired but the game is a lot of fun and brings a great gameplay experience
  20. Magma1234
    Nov 29, 2019
    9
    Just way better then the other newer games so far. And makes for a wonderfull game to play thrue several times
  21. Rift
    Nov 29, 2019
    9
    A visually enhanced, more enjoyable entry when compared to Sun/Moon. Most of the people complaining are either just trying to jump on the hate bandwagon and haven't even played the game (hence the reviews posted as soon as the game released), or are just pissy because their favorite Pokemon didn't make it into the game.

    The game is good, and having 400+ Pokemon instead of ~900 doesn't    A visually enhanced, more enjoyable entry when compared to Sun/Moon. Most of the people complaining are either just trying to jump on the hate bandwagon and haven't even played the game (hence the reviews posted as soon as the game released), or are just pissy because their favorite Pokemon didn't make it into the game.

    The game is good, and having 400+ Pokemon instead of ~900 doesn't take away from the fun. Get off your high horse and get over it.    … Expand
  22. Poyzo
    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    Let me first address one thing. I am also disappointed that there was no National Dex. I have Pokémon on Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon that I caught over a decade ago in Pokémon Sapphire. That being said, the sheer number of Pokémon that exist means that a hard decision has to be made at some point, and while I hope more Pokémon are released as DLC or in a future games, I understand why theyLet me first address one thing. I am also disappointed that there was no National Dex. I have Pokémon on Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon that I caught over a decade ago in Pokémon Sapphire. That being said, the sheer number of Pokémon that exist means that a hard decision has to be made at some point, and while I hope more Pokémon are released as DLC or in a future games, I understand why they couldn’t be in this game. I normally don’t leave reviews, I’m one of those people who normally buy the game, play it and live my life. However, I feel like due to all the ridiculous review bombing from entitled whiny people that I need to set the record straight: These are good Pokémon games, great ones even. The max raid feature keeps me going back to the wild area and the campaign was fresh and interesting. The sports vibe was a natural fit with both British soccer culture and Pokémon generally and the rivals had real personality. The difficult was more balanced than in other 3D offerings on the 3DS but the experience candy allow for less experienced or casual players enjoy the game. There are flaws and the graphics aren’t perfect but the game was engaging, playable and nostalgic. I never felt wanting choices when it came to Pokémon and the game allows for greater flexibility to add and remove Pokémon from your party.… Expand
  23. MetteCraft
    Dec 4, 2019
    9
    Beautiful region, great designs to pokemon og characters, great character development for some central characters, wild area with it's raid is the best, gym challenge was great, camp is great too (could be better if there was petting your pokemon in it). Story is ok, could be more expansive than it is, but more realistic than previous pokemon games in a good way. Graphics like texturesBeautiful region, great designs to pokemon og characters, great character development for some central characters, wild area with it's raid is the best, gym challenge was great, camp is great too (could be better if there was petting your pokemon in it). Story is ok, could be more expansive than it is, but more realistic than previous pokemon games in a good way. Graphics like textures could be better, and the inside of some of the homes in the cities is too similair in the funiturese. Haven't used any of the online things, and if you have a specific kind of sd card (Official sd card should be fine) when it might delete the games on you switch (it doesn't delete your saves) this is a switch thing it's not because of the game it just happen while playing the game.… Expand
  24. Igor_06
    Dec 23, 2019
    9
    Il Gioco tiene alta la qualità del franchis pokemon con la interessante meccanica del dinamax e il nuovo sistema di building per i pokemon competitivi. Interessante anche lo sviluppo della trama, forse un po frettoloso nel finale. Per il resto consigliatissimo.
  25. Sarahphim
    Jan 12, 2020
    9
    Been playing pokemon since Ruby. Love this. Can play all day. Gym battles are especially fun. Camping is fun without being too grindy. Itd be 10 if those bags could be turned off and the female model didnt have a weak stance.
  26. accrfc
    Mar 24, 2020
    9
    Really enjoyable game. The wild area is a great addition which keeps the game fresh.
  27. Rjair94
    Jun 21, 2020
    9
    Aventura divertida, competitivo decente, el arte es muy bonito, lo negativo los gráficos son de generación pasada y la poca cantidad de monstruos
  28. Gorgola34
    May 5, 2023
    9
    Juegazo la octava generación, los legendarios increíbles, la historia simple pero contundente y los dlcs con los pájaros legendarios Buff vaya sacada y la ambientación no puede ser mejor, muy muy recomendable
  29. Kiruiya
    Jul 27, 2020
    9
    I really don't care about the missing national pokedex and the ugly trees. I just enjoyed the game the way it is.
  30. greyrinplays
    Sep 18, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The past games did not have a National Dex also. And also from a business perspective, the DLC is much more easier then lets say creating another game from scratch, and finally you can just continue your story and I think that is what majority of Pokemon players were asking for before and yes they had to make some cuts, but it really is not a big deal. The game has it's flaws as well but overall exploring the new region was fun. And with the DLCs coming it will only get better.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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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