Pokemon Sword / Shield: The Isle of Armor

 Switch
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 520 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 181 out of 520
  2. Mixed: 119 out of 520
  3. Negative: 220 out of 520

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  1. hkjhkjh
    Jun 17, 2020
    8
    Pro:
    +Much more complex and more variety than the wild area
    +Some of the areas like the swamp or the forest look much better than we know from the wild area, it's still not switch standard but still Con: -No new pokemon or galarean form beside the ones we already knew about (Kubfu, Urshifu, Slowpoke, Slowbro), atleast i didn't enounter one in the 10h i already played -Not much    Pro:
    +Much more complex and more variety than the wild area
    +Some of the areas like the swamp or the forest look much better than we know from the wild area, it's still not switch standard but still

    Con:
    -No new pokemon or galarean form beside the ones we already knew about (Kubfu, Urshifu, Slowpoke, Slowbro), atleast i didn't enounter one in the 10h i already played
    -Not much trainer battles and most of them are very easy (exept the last one)

    Neutral:
    ~Pokemon follow you which is really nice BUT only on the isle of armor and because of the postition of the camera and the fact that most pokemon are slower than the player u don't see them most of the time because they are too much behind

    Overall about what I expected,, it's really ok, especially considering that was only the first DLC, really looking forward to the next one    … Expand
  2. Starfree
    Jun 17, 2020
    8
    There’s a lot in this half of the pass that I didn’t expect. The new moves are amazing, new items are very much welcome, and the new story content is more then I expected. Tho at the same time there some stuff missing that I was expecting. New Galarian forms or new Pokémon just for version exclusives. I find it very odd that the only difference between the sword and shield versions is theThere’s a lot in this half of the pass that I didn’t expect. The new moves are amazing, new items are very much welcome, and the new story content is more then I expected. Tho at the same time there some stuff missing that I was expecting. New Galarian forms or new Pokémon just for version exclusives. I find it very odd that the only difference between the sword and shield versions is the rival. I’m sure that’s a disappointment for anyone who bought both. But overall very good experience, up their with smash and splatoon as the best AAA DLC on the switch.… Expand
  3. Suroguner
    Oct 17, 2020
    0
    I managed to get the DLC for free buy buying a bunch of other better games and collecting the my Nintendo gold coins. Getting into the DLC, it's not worth it. Following pokemon is broken and worse than the previous games in the series that had the feature.

    While the game was updated to support players who don't have the dlc, you still have no real way to get the pokemon it has without    I managed to get the DLC for free buy buying a bunch of other better games and collecting the my Nintendo gold coins. Getting into the DLC, it's not worth it. Following pokemon is broken and worse than the previous games in the series that had the feature.

    While the game was updated to support players who don't have the dlc, you still have no real way to get the pokemon it has without some form of payment. While a non-issue for past games, Here it's a bigger problem as it's either a minimum of $8 for a combo of Bank and home, provided you still have a 3ds and a bank compatible game, or a max of $30 (plus tax) for access. One could argue you could get it for free doing what I did, but that technically is just a more expensive way of getting the DLC without giving the money to the pokemon company and Gamefreak.

    One of the advertised features, the apricorns, gives you the wrong idea about getting more apricorn based pokeballs. the only exchange for them gives you totally random items and you must use 4 items at a time. In the past Johto games, these items were given directly to a NPC named Kurt who made the balls for you with them.

    The addition of another wild area seemed good at first, until you start catching everything. Because you can see the pokemon now, what pokemon you can find where is even less of a mystery and you can actively avoid encounters. After that the area becomes boring.

    What could be considered a double edged sword is that because you could come to it at any time, the area scales up ALL the pokemon based on your current progress in the base game.

    the diggers who dig up armorite or are actually worse than the diggers who dig up items and watts as if their shovels break you get nothing opposed to getting what they dug up. It's a gamble to even use them, and I'm not sure if this feature is even legal in Korea.

    Despite not being through the DLC's story at the time of writing, the dlc is just not worth it. Not even by the method I used to get it. On the plus side, I got a bunch of better games along the way.    … Expand
  4. Fazed
    Nov 23, 2021
    4
    Not very fun at all, its basically just a mini pokemon game story rather than a contiuation but you are just overleved as hell so each battle feels more like a pain in the ass rather than a battle. You basically just have to nerf yourself just to make it feel like there is a progression to the game. I think it is a good way to do the pokedex additions and make the area feel more unique.
  5. Nati
    Mar 14, 2021
    0
    This DLC has absolutely destroyed Pokemon Sword/Shield Ranked matching.

    Ranked is just an imbalanced JOKE now that requires zero skill or knowledge and spamming Legendaries. Urshifu is OP... I dont care about your "debate" That pokemon is OP. Not to mention other STARTLING imbalance issues that has ruined a long history of great competitive gameplay. Way to kick the hardcore fans    This DLC has absolutely destroyed Pokemon Sword/Shield Ranked matching.

    Ranked is just an imbalanced JOKE now that requires zero skill or knowledge and spamming Legendaries.

    Urshifu is OP... I dont care about your "debate" That pokemon is OP. Not to mention other STARTLING imbalance issues that has ruined a long history of great competitive gameplay.

    Way to kick the hardcore fans Pokemon, this was a rediculous decision. 0/10

    PS My review is about THE WHOLE game, but Pokemon seem to think these DLC deserves a title on their own. So I will return the favour and 0/10 them all.    … Expand
  6. vitin
    Nov 7, 2020
    4
    Ao mesmo tempo que a DLC adiciona algumas ideias legais, não é o suficiente por esse preço, mais ainda considerando o quão curta ela é. O Urshifu tem uma mecanica divertida, mas não vale a pena. Talvez depois de jogar o The Crown Thundra eu mude de opinião.
  7. GabFire
    Aug 9, 2020
    0
    Tutorial de como estragar uma franquia super conhecida e aclamada por todos, terceira e melhor parte:
    Passo número 1: Chame a Nintendo!
    Parabéns!!! Você concluiu seu tutorial.
  8. Warbringer
    Feb 21, 2021
    1
    No story. No Pokedex. Not all Pokemon available. Only handholding. Content locked behind DLC. Content locked behind third party apps like "Pokemon Home" "Pokemon Bank" "Nintendo Switch Online". Gamefreak lied to all of us and they admited it.
  9. Otts
    Dec 20, 2020
    0
    Unfinished product sold with cut content at a full price. Glitchy and disrespectful with its consumers and fanbase. A loveless cashgrab rushed to the market from the highest grossing media franchise in the planet. Underperforming software for the current generation standards. Shameless and sad.
  10. amn94
    Aug 5, 2020
    0
    Este DLC es la muestra del futuro deceso de la franquicia... contenido que debería estar incluido en el juego base, ningun arreglo a la gran cantidad de bugs que hay , es penoso que el primer juego 3D de Pokemon, el Stadium logre que los pokemon se sientan mas vivos que estos pokemon que vuelan como drones, se estancan en paredes, aparecen y desaparecen, etc...

    Es el principio del fin    Este DLC es la muestra del futuro deceso de la franquicia... contenido que debería estar incluido en el juego base, ningun arreglo a la gran cantidad de bugs que hay , es penoso que el primer juego 3D de Pokemon, el Stadium logre que los pokemon se sientan mas vivos que estos pokemon que vuelan como drones, se estancan en paredes, aparecen y desaparecen, etc...

    Es el principio del fin de Pokemon, pero no es culpa de la empresa, sino de los consumidores que comprarán absolutamente todo lo que tenga Pokemon en el nombre, y luego se quejan de que van a tener que pagar 400 dolares para una experiencia completa....    … Expand
  11. JuniorTrucho14
    Nov 13, 2020
    0
    Definitivamente a Gamefreak le queda grande la IP. Asqueroso juego hecho a medias incluso con está "expansión". Lo más indignante es que te ponen este desproposito a $90 y eso sin contar lo que se gasta en en Pokémon Home y Bank. Tremando mojón este juego.
  12. TestingTest123
    Aug 4, 2020
    1
    How are people actually willing to pay $30 for this?

    - The DLC is extremely easy even compared to the already piss easy main game, due to the amazingly bad level scaling where Pokemon were generally around the levels 50-70s and your Pokemon will be around levels 80-100s. You will just be mindlessly tapping A for every single battle to the point where it becomes tedious as all hell to    How are people actually willing to pay $30 for this?

    - The DLC is extremely easy even compared to the already piss easy main game, due to the amazingly bad level scaling where Pokemon were generally around the levels 50-70s and your Pokemon will be around levels 80-100s. You will just be mindlessly tapping A for every single battle to the point where it becomes tedious as all hell to "play".

    - Wild area was ok-ish but honestly not enough to justify a $30 price tag

    - Following Pokemon was a nice touch to bring back from LGPE. However, Pokemon will constantly teleport and pop-in from nowhere when they lag behind the player. This is quite distracting and honestly became annoying to look at after a while.

    - Story was straight up non existent and the DLC can be completed in about 2 hours (being generous here).

    - The Digletts (why?)

    - Another battle tower clone (no effort as per usual).

    This just goes to show that Gamefreak realizes that they can just keep cutting content and brain dead consoomers/casuals will just eat it up no matter the price.    … Expand
  13. asael24
    Jun 24, 2020
    4
    Pokémon es una de mis sagas favoritas, pero con sword and shield la vienen embarrando un poco. Sin embargo, llego la isla de la armadura y cuando creías que ya todo estaba mal, viene lo peor. No es posible que vendan eso como un dlc. Una pequeña historia de un par de horas y Pokémon de otras regiones, es hueco esta expansión. Básicamente cobraron por un traje para el personaje y un PokémonPokémon es una de mis sagas favoritas, pero con sword and shield la vienen embarrando un poco. Sin embargo, llego la isla de la armadura y cuando creías que ya todo estaba mal, viene lo peor. No es posible que vendan eso como un dlc. Una pequeña historia de un par de horas y Pokémon de otras regiones, es hueco esta expansión. Básicamente cobraron por un traje para el personaje y un Pokémon "legendario" o lo que sea. Lo único rescatable es el tamaño de la isla para poder explorar pero ni así, te aburres a las 3 horas de jugarlo.… Expand
  14. CritMetaCrit
    Jun 26, 2020
    10
    gosh when i haveme a dog darn tough rough day and my dog is gone missn, i play arm and sheld. pokeman reminds me of the time i would eat moon pie as a kiddo. thanks for the memories
  15. NuiHarime
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    una gran mierda, solo miseria sin contenido descatable, tiene mas pokemon smeralda que esta basura
  16. doltorb
    Oct 14, 2020
    1
    I can't believe I spent £70 on this game. I spent 25 hours in total playing (most of which seemed to be spent watching story animations waiting to be able to do anything) and feel like I have done everything there is to do already.
    This has to be the most simple plot of any pokemon game I've ever played. Every step of the way you are led through the basic maps without really having to    I can't believe I spent £70 on this game. I spent 25 hours in total playing (most of which seemed to be spent watching story animations waiting to be able to do anything) and feel like I have done everything there is to do already.
    This has to be the most simple plot of any pokemon game I've ever played. Every step of the way you are led through the basic maps without really having to explore at all, the cities are visually impressive but lack any actually interesting features. The standard good guys vs bad guys subplot is simpler than any other game and lacks any difficulty. There is no post-game content other than the isle of armor DLC which basically just adds a second wild area and a tiny plot that can probably be completed in 30 minutes.
    The graphics are impressive but don't make up for how lacking in substance this game is.    … Expand
  17. SwShDie
    Dec 28, 2020
    0
    WAKE UP... GAME FREAK IS SELLING THE CONTENT THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN IN SWSH BACK TO YOU. They refused to back down from making the SwSh base game a steaming pile of dung (THAT's what they call service??) and now they've come at you with a can of grease and a broomstick in order to "give back some content"... for more money after the fact!
  18. klhbkjlhjhu
    Feb 26, 2021
    0
    This game basterdized the whole purpose of Pokemon. The game is relatively easy and does not have any challenges like of how Black/White has ( except Black/White is one of the good Pokemon games whereas Sword/Shield isn't. ), what is the point where you are wasting your money on stupid expansions? It seems here that GF is just greedy for money like most multi-billion corporations are. ThisThis game basterdized the whole purpose of Pokemon. The game is relatively easy and does not have any challenges like of how Black/White has ( except Black/White is one of the good Pokemon games whereas Sword/Shield isn't. ), what is the point where you are wasting your money on stupid expansions? It seems here that GF is just greedy for money like most multi-billion corporations are. This game is seriously not worth your time, I recommend you not buying the game for your own sake.… Expand
  19. Gallego
    Jun 28, 2020
    0
    Contenido de pago recortado de un juego base desastroso, el cual ni siquiera añade contenido acorde a su precio. Una total basura.
  20. Harrison17
    Jul 2, 2020
    3
    debería estar todo ese contenido en el juego inicial una verdadera estafa de Nintendo y game freak
  21. Kacek1996
    Aug 20, 2022
    6
    Pokemon The Isle of Armor was a short DLC I played mostly to see my own pokemons run after me, to get new pokemons for my Pokemon HOME pokedex, to catch the new Kubfu and Urshifu pokemons. This DLC was really short and easy with too much of allolan diglets to look for... I liked the galarian Slowpoke evolution line quite a lot, and the map was nicely done!
  22. NERDAleck
    Jun 29, 2020
    0
    Funghimax? Wtf? This is pokemon? Are you serius?
    I can’t believe.
    This dlc is ridicolous!!
  23. HerDragon
    Jun 22, 2020
    8
    Ya deberían programar toda la dex nacional y regresar las mega evoluciones
  24. CurryTea
    Jun 23, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Summary:
    Average experience on the story line. The areas are visually stunning (especially Forest of focus) together with a great addition of Side quests and other functions to this DLC. However, several flaws from the mainline games was not fixed together in the DLC patch with the controversial pricing of the DLC. I hope the Crown Tundra DLC will contain a stronger emphasis on story line and exploration to make up for the price wall.

    Pros:
    - Interesting story and quests to obtain Kubfu through the 3 trials
    - Your Pokemon is able to follow you now (although note that often Pokemon can't catch up with you and will be teleporting, especially slow ones)
    - Beautiful visuals and map, does not look as plain as the wild area in comparison.
    - No loading screen when travelling between caves to forest.

    Cons:
    - Still lagging when connected to internet on the DLC map, similar to the lag in the wild area
    - YCOM do not refresh often to join a new raid.    … Expand
  25. Squaf
    Jun 28, 2020
    3
    Not worth the price. The base game is limited in what you can do, and the main storyline is dry. You level up so fast that by the time I got to the end, I was at least 10 levels ahead of the opponents. This game pales in comparison to every other Pokémon game I’ve ever played (smart phone games excluded). The graphics aren’t terrible, but compared to Switch games like Mario Odyssey or BOTWNot worth the price. The base game is limited in what you can do, and the main storyline is dry. You level up so fast that by the time I got to the end, I was at least 10 levels ahead of the opponents. This game pales in comparison to every other Pokémon game I’ve ever played (smart phone games excluded). The graphics aren’t terrible, but compared to Switch games like Mario Odyssey or BOTW it’s pretty bad. Spending $30 on the dlc that I beat in one day is probably the biggest waste of money I’ve ever spent. The best part of the game is definitely the Wild Area, and even that gets pretty underwhelming after a while. Over all it seems like they were rushing to release the game, knowing long time fans would buy it regardless of quality.… Expand
  26. Darros2
    Jul 23, 2020
    5
    Una extensión del juego bastante pobre, prácticamente solo vale la pena por no quedarse fuera del competitivo y tener más variantes de pokémon, pero la historia es bastante mala, solo el rival muestra algo de personalidad y genera algo de interés, pero en general bastante simple y si se va directo por la historia se puede terminar fácilmente en 2 horas o incluso menos.
  27. Stormwooper
    Jan 4, 2021
    0
    I dont know why crown tundra isn’t included in this page as its icluded as they get packed together, they are basically the same game. The story is short but the areas are awesome.
  28. Kotelo
    Jun 18, 2020
    5
    I can only give 5/10.

    This DLC is boring. Sure the new Map looks nice and they added new Pokemon, which had to be included in the Original Release i think. The Main problem for me is that it isnt Challenging at all. I read about Level Scaling the last Days and was excited that i can play with my strongest Team of 6 LvL 100 Mons. The first fight on the Isle was... well.. a LVL 58 Abra.    I can only give 5/10.

    This DLC is boring. Sure the new Map looks nice and they added new Pokemon, which had to be included in the Original Release i think. The Main problem for me is that it isnt Challenging at all. I read about Level Scaling the last Days and was excited that i can play with my strongest Team of 6 LvL 100 Mons. The first fight on the Isle was... well.. a LVL 58 Abra. Thats not how Scaling works. Till the end of the Story Part which includes about 10 Trainer Battles and some Fetchquests the highest Pokemon i had to fight was LvL 75. Again thats not Challenging at all. My Mew Oneshottet everything on this Isle.
    The Reason i dont go lower with the DLC is the Hope for the Second Part of the DLC. Till then i will go for DynaRaids and nothing else, cause there isnt really much to do.    … Expand
  29. Il_Brama
    Jun 18, 2020
    4
    Pro: "new" pokemon, Urshifu and some minigames.
    Con: ALL THE STORY because after 8 months from the release, all people who have had fun playing Pokemon Sword and Shield, have at least 6 pokemon at level 100, but in this DLC the opponents pokemon are between level 58 and 75.. so finishing the DLC is too easy also for a child..
    The question is: WHO IS THIS DLC MADE FOR? surely not for    Pro: "new" pokemon, Urshifu and some minigames.
    Con: ALL THE STORY because after 8 months from the release, all people who have had fun playing Pokemon Sword and Shield, have at least 6 pokemon at level 100, but in this DLC the opponents pokemon are between level 58 and 75.. so finishing the DLC is too easy also for a child..
    The question is: WHO IS THIS DLC MADE FOR? surely not for people who played Sword and Shield after have beaten the League.. and this is a paradox because who buys a DLC is usually a person that has already finished the game..
    My final opinion about this DLC: 4 becouse IT IS WRONG.    … Expand
  30. uncledad
    Jun 21, 2020
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The actual location of the DLC, the Isle of Armor, looks much nicer and has better design than most of the base game: there’s less one-way dead ends and areas actually have a reason to return a second time (wow!) in the form of a Diglett collect-a-thon. However, it’s not a super large area, and there isn’t much to do besides complete the story, partially due to the complete absence of enemy trainers to battle, but also due to the lack of /new/ Pokémon to catch. The level scaling miscommunication from the Pokémon Company itself was also incorrect, as the DLC scales exactly like the main game and caps at 60. If you have Pokémon Home, you could essentially fill up your new Isle of Armor Pokédex before you even arrive. The only new Pokémon in the DLC are a gift Pokémon (Kubfu/Urshifu) and an item-reliant Galarian form evolution (Slowbro). They don’t add any new TMs or TRs, which I think is a missed opportunity as the dozen or so new moves from the move tutor are actually pretty cool (regardless of how limited the learnsets are). I wish there was some element of challenge or even just more trainers to fight besides the 6-7 easy ones that are tied into the storyline. I think Kubfu was a cute character and it would’ve been nice for them to expand on its character development from your shy sidekick to a confident kung-fu master. The Restricted Sparring feels like an afterthought in my opinion as it’s just a one-dimensional Battle Tower clone but without some of the fun nuances that make the Battle Tower enjoyable. All in all, the DLC feels shallow and rushed, much like the base SWSH games. The DLC could be ran through in an hour or so, but likely will take you around 3-4 hours if you try to 100% it and enjoy the sights. Sad to see more potential wasted, but at this point with GF, are you even surprised?… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 42
  3. Negative: 1 out of 42
  1. Universo Nintendo
    Dec 16, 2020
    70
    When reviwed from a zero point, Isle of Armor renews the metagame and includes a significant amount of content. It is just a pity that there is no sign of challenge to live up to the eight months of training. When out of this vacuum, however, it is clear that this expansion is much more complete than the base game, expanding its experience.
    Read full review
  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Oct 26, 2020
    80
    The overall evolution of the Pokémon gameplay experience has taken another step forward thanks to DLC. [Issue #48 – September/October 2020, p. 28]
  3. GameMAG
    Sep 12, 2020
    50
    A tiny boring plot, four new monsters for the series, and optimization of some game mechanics are clearly not enough for fans of the franchise, nor for ordinary players. The overall impression of the Expansion Pass, of course, can be formed only after the release of the final part - The Crown of Tundra. Now we can only say with complete confidence that The Isle of Armor is not worth the money.
    Read full review
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