Pokemon Sword

 Switch
User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 5909 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,997 out of 5909
  2. Mixed: 852 out of 5909
  3. Negative: 3,060 out of 5909
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  1. BasilZero
    Sep 4, 2023
    9
    Game: Pokemon Sword
    Genre: RPG
    Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo System: Nintendo Switch Year of Release: 2019 Length of Playthrough: 62 Hours Total Score: 90/100 Value Score: 9/10 • Story: 9/10 • Characters: 9/10 • GamePlay: 8/10 • Graphics: 7/10 • Sound: 9/10 • Music: 10/10 • Length: 10/10 • Replay Value: 10/10 • Player Value: 8/10 Pros +First TV console    Game: Pokemon Sword
    Genre: RPG
    Developer: Nintendo
    Publisher: Nintendo
    System: Nintendo Switch
    Year of Release: 2019
    Length of Playthrough: 62 Hours

    Total Score: 90/100
    Value Score: 9/10

    • Story: 9/10
    • Characters: 9/10
    • GamePlay: 8/10
    • Graphics: 7/10
    • Sound: 9/10
    • Music: 10/10
    • Length: 10/10
    • Replay Value: 10/10
    • Player Value: 8/10

    Pros
    +First TV console based Pokemon game
    +Storyline changed like the last few games, gym challenges and progression differs from older games
    +OST has a lot of great tracks
    +Base game takes at least 45 hours and additional content can add another 10-15 hours. Plenty of side stuff to do after all the main adventure is done.
    +Access to a lot of legendaries (but only through DLC)

    Cons
    -Resolution for docked is at 1080p but drops down to 720p in certain parts of the game
    -Resolution is worse portable starting at 720p and dipping lower in certain parts of the game
    -Game runs at 30 FPS but can drop down to 20 fps regardless of whether its portable or docked
    -Not all Pokemon are obtainable/usable in Sword even if you use Pokemon Home hence no National Dex.
    -Dynamax battles can be annoying if you are depending on AI allies
    -Sound effects from previous Pokemon games re-used instead of remade for older Pokemon.
    -Online MP tied down to subscription service (NSO)    … Expand
  2. Diogo2008
    Aug 20, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fantástico jogo, tem uma bela mecânica e os melhores gráficos que a série de Pokémon poderia ter. A duração do jogo varia se queres completar o modo história ou completar todo o jogo. ...........................,jhdududhhdhduduehgeududhdhjdjdhdhdhdudjndheudidhgshs jhdududhhdhduduehgeududhdhjdjdhdhdhdudjndheudidhgshs jhdududhhdhduduehgeududhdhjdjdhdhdhdudjndheudidhgshs jhdududhhdhduduehgeududhdhjdjdhdhdhdudjndheudidhgshs hdhdhdhhdhd hdhdhdhhdhd hdhdhdhhdhd hdhdhdhhdhdhdhdggfjcdhhdysysyaudjdudusuddusuusjdjdjddjjdjxjxjxjxjxxjjxkx gxjjxjxjxjxjzjzjxudid… Expand
  3. KawaiiDude
    Jun 30, 2023
    9
    Great game. Love the atmosphere of the game and the Music. Generally a good pokemon game that gives me PokemonXY vibes (good vibes lmao). Better than Sun/Moon and Scarl./Violet. The Characters are also good, but I miss a antiteam/villan and the story is kinda short
    Give it a 9.
  4. Mariodeoz
    Jun 11, 2023
    10
    Muy buen juego, excelente historia y muy buenos graficos. Lástima que no hayan incluido toda la pokedex pero aun así no deja de ser un gran juego
  5. ScreenS
    Jun 5, 2023
    9
    If you’re a competitive focused player than this is the Pokémon game for you. All of the negativity only matters if you choose never to play online, which is where 99% of the content is.

    The dex cuts brought a breath of fresh air into the series and removed so much needless bloat. Still one of the best looking 3D games in the series. Dynamax is a fantastic mechanic that combines the best    If you’re a competitive focused player than this is the Pokémon game for you. All of the negativity only matters if you choose never to play online, which is where 99% of the content is.

    The dex cuts brought a breath of fresh air into the series and removed so much needless bloat. Still one of the best looking 3D games in the series. Dynamax is a fantastic mechanic that combines the best of both Megas and Z moves and is more than the sum of its parts.

    Only reason for a 9 instead of a 10 is quite frankly this is the worst starter trio in the series and there is little to go back to after the player base moves on. The Crown Tundra greatly alleviates this but that will revive its own score.    … Expand
  6. King187
    May 30, 2023
    10
    The Game was really fun to play and still is. I think that the dex cut was not that a huge problem, because 600 pokemon is a lot.
  7. Bluesifer
    May 14, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don’t agree with the haters on this one at all. I think it’s a great hame (with a flawed post game, I hate those twins). If only it allowed Pokémon to follow you.… Expand
  8. 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.
  9. Reviewer69420
    Mar 1, 2023
    10
    I don't understand the hat, the pokemon are great its short and replayable the dynamax is sick they put Joltik in it so thats a big win. Overall amazing game love it too much Joltik/Dwebble 10/0.321348321
  10. Mrpokemon
    Feb 25, 2023
    9
    Incredibly fun! My first nuzlocke the game gets boring and grooky is the worst Pokémon but hop is the best character ever in Pokémon other then the protagonist
  11. JhonattanGiron
    Feb 23, 2023
    10
    Para mi concepto el mejor juego de pokemon, las mejores animaciones, las mejores personalizaciones, un entrono bonito y buena historia.
  12. zidfrit
    Feb 16, 2023
    8
    Me encanto como el mundo de pokemon de las portátiles paso a una consola casera (o hibrida) , la historia y estar capturando pokemons, lo disfrute de nuevo como cuando juge por primera vez pokemon azul, los puntos malos que no ha querido innovar nintendo en pokemon es la dificultad, es un juego muy sencillo para los veteranos y la nueva apuesta de Dinamax creo q es un cambio malo e innecesario.
  13. blasecube
    Feb 8, 2023
    8
    Honestly, I walked into this game expecting it to be bad. And not gonna lie, at first it was. The game feels tedious and it's, in my humble opinion, the easiest the franchise has ever been (taking into account I skipped X/Y and Sun/Moon, being my last one Black 2, which was fairly harder).

    However, it gets progressively good. I loved the concept of the Gym Challenge, the OST is    Honestly, I walked into this game expecting it to be bad. And not gonna lie, at first it was. The game feels tedious and it's, in my humble opinion, the easiest the franchise has ever been (taking into account I skipped X/Y and Sun/Moon, being my last one Black 2, which was fairly harder).

    However, it gets progressively good. I loved the concept of the Gym Challenge, the OST is magnificent, the end game is actually pretty good and entertaining.

    The game biggest sin is being too easy (on an already easy franchise), however, it makes up with a story that goes beyond "guy for some reason becomes champion and defeats a criminal organization while only asked to fill an encyclopedia". Here you have a reason to do everything you do, and it helps to keep the immersion. Everything feels grounded, within the boundaries of the world.    … Expand
  14. sameolldsel
    Dec 11, 2022
    10
    eu AMOOOOOOOO adorei a historia, o modo como foi a liga e tudo.. so senti falta de umas cavernas mais elaboradas e um mapa menos linear
  15. srijansin91
    Nov 21, 2022
    8
    Had a lot of fun completing this thanks to the streamlined box management system and open world exploration with randomly leveled pokemon in the wild. Some more depth or evolution in the story for long time fans tired of formula narrative would have boosted this to 9+ territory.
  16. theprotagonist
    Nov 18, 2022
    9
    I had a great time with this game. I was surprised to come online and see that basically everyone hates it. The only complaints I would have about it is that some of the content that would normally be included in the regular game is separated out into DLC. Other than that though, c'mon guys. The game is fun!
  17. plattym3
    Nov 9, 2022
    9
    Had a whole bunch of fun with this title playing alongside my son who was playing the opposite title at the same time. I hear all the complaints, but hey, as someone who's not in for competitive play, I just want to collect fun-looking monsters and win, it was perfectly fine. Could the graphics be better? Sure, but nothing's perfect.
  18. FreeRunner29
    Oct 14, 2022
    8
    I genuinely had a blast with this game, the graphics are gorgeous and a huge step above anything on the 3DS, plus it's based in Great Britain! With mainline entries I always focus more on story, I am not big on random encounters so walking around the open world areas was a cool change up to actually see Pokemon walk about. I am glad this feature moved onto further iterations of the gamesI genuinely had a blast with this game, the graphics are gorgeous and a huge step above anything on the 3DS, plus it's based in Great Britain! With mainline entries I always focus more on story, I am not big on random encounters so walking around the open world areas was a cool change up to actually see Pokemon walk about. I am glad this feature moved onto further iterations of the games adopting the open world format. Overall this is not the best Pokemon game but, a solid next-gen entry.… Expand
  19. Ajudinhas
    Sep 10, 2022
    10
    So good it hurts. Seriously one of the best pokémons of all time and it gets better with the DLC
  20. Madbert
    Jul 9, 2022
    8
    Nov 16, 2019

    Estamos en mi opinión, ante la mejor saga de Pokemon de la historia. Independientemente de si faltan Pokemon en la Pokédex o no, el planteamiento de este videojuego es fantástico dentro del contexto de un Pokemon muy clásico, por supuesto que tiene márgenes de innovación sobre todo de innovación y de mejora, mejora de texturas, mejora de rendimiento y de innovación, de    Nov 16, 2019

    Estamos en mi opinión, ante la mejor saga de Pokemon de la historia. Independientemente de si faltan Pokemon en la Pokédex o no, el planteamiento de este videojuego es fantástico dentro del contexto de un Pokemon muy clásico, por supuesto que tiene márgenes de innovación sobre todo de innovación y de mejora, mejora de texturas, mejora de rendimiento y de innovación, de hacerlo un poquito más mundo abierto con control de cámara por parte del usuario y menos concepto clásico Pokemon, simplemente innovar más. Pero ateniéndonos a lo que es en sí el videojuego, a lo que ofrece, a cómo está desarrollado, a las horas que brinda, y a la historia del videojuego, el Pokemon espada y escudo son el mejor video juego de Pokemon hasta la fecha, le otorgo un ocho porque no me convence del todo por esa falta de innovación aunque ya deja entreverse que tal vez en próximas entregas esta situación mejore mucho.    … Expand
  21. Nintendist
    Jul 2, 2022
    10
    this game is so good i love til the end. so lovely and very very strategic!
  22. Darkspawn677
    May 17, 2022
    9
    Pokemon sword is an amazing game but the game needs more flying type pokemon more fighting in the game dynamax is cool but i prefer mega evolution
  23. GamingT2009
    May 15, 2022
    8
    HOLY **** Ok first it was Jurassic World with a 57 (I think, I already forgot), then it was pixels the movie with a 27, but now we have an 80 Metascore and a 4.6 user score. Now I did see a video by FoeKoe on why the game was bad, so I knew it would be ranked kind of badly. But when you compare a 4.6 from users to an 80 by Metascore, I didn't expect that at all. This is sad for me becauseHOLY **** Ok first it was Jurassic World with a 57 (I think, I already forgot), then it was pixels the movie with a 27, but now we have an 80 Metascore and a 4.6 user score. Now I did see a video by FoeKoe on why the game was bad, so I knew it would be ranked kind of badly. But when you compare a 4.6 from users to an 80 by Metascore, I didn't expect that at all. This is sad for me because I like this game. Like I the Gmax and the overall Gym leaders is just something I enjoy. Another thing is I like a ton of the new Pokemon. Now would I say that the User score is bad, ehhh not really? What people's main issue is that most of the animations and models have been reused for a long time and that the game is too easy. Now I didn't mind the animation at all, because I'm just a casual player, but I did find the game a bit easy. However that came to the Pokemon in the wild, I find only a few gym leaders to be easy. I also want to say that no, I haven't played any of the older Pokemon games besides the Dimond and Pearl remakes, so people could say this game is nowhere as good as the old ones. I will say, that's fair and could take down any of my reasoning. But really, I still enjoyed this title as what it had, which is a ton. In the end, I see where people are about, and that's I didn't give it anywhere higher than an 8, but I still enjoyed this title and had great fun.… Expand
  24. RiverTheUmbreon
    May 6, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Homestuck reference lmaooooo (help the ball guy is holding me hostage please do something)… Expand
  25. Shhana
    Mar 25, 2022
    10
    This game is so fun!! The Dynamax features were smartly implemented. It has a lot of replay value. I have played it for more than 300 hours! Would recommend
  26. Mangrove
    Mar 6, 2022
    8
    I'm now playing this game, 5 years later, after also having played Brilliant Diamond and now seeing Legends Arceus. I'm quite a big Pokemon fan and I did agree on some factual criticism the game got in it's early stages (removing parts of the Pokedex to be released as DLC later and some lack of graphical effort). But honestly, when I play Pokemon these are not even things I care about. TheI'm now playing this game, 5 years later, after also having played Brilliant Diamond and now seeing Legends Arceus. I'm quite a big Pokemon fan and I did agree on some factual criticism the game got in it's early stages (removing parts of the Pokedex to be released as DLC later and some lack of graphical effort). But honestly, when I play Pokemon these are not even things I care about. The things that make pokemon fun are all there. Fun Gym challenges, creating and training your own team (tons of replayability there because you can catch so many different Pokemon in the wild area after just a couple badges). The wild area is just wonderful. No more needing to trade to get a Gengar or a Dusknoir, just get enough badges and find one flying around. The move relearner being in every Pokemon Center, amazing change. I think BDSP, which I did enjoy but had some pretty big flaws as well, put these games back into perspective for me. I thoroughly enjoyed my playthrough and with how addicting the wild area is I will definitely be catching them all before moving on to Legends Arceus… Expand
  27. GreenMenace
    Feb 22, 2022
    8
    I liked Pokemon Shield so much that for the first time (and probably the only time I’ll ever do this) I purchased its partner game. I did so because I’ve really enjoyed shiny hunting in these games—and plan to get a shiny living dex someday. This review is for people deciding between Pokemon games available on the switch. I won’t review any game I haven’t played. If you want a detailedI liked Pokemon Shield so much that for the first time (and probably the only time I’ll ever do this) I purchased its partner game. I did so because I’ve really enjoyed shiny hunting in these games—and plan to get a shiny living dex someday. This review is for people deciding between Pokemon games available on the switch. I won’t review any game I haven’t played. If you want a detailed review of Pokemon Sword, please review my Pokemon Shield review.
    Without further ado, here is my take on the following Pokemon games:
    Pokemon Let’s Go—This game has the highest odds of finding an overworld shiny Pokemon. Generally, players are unable to single out Pokemon in a shiny hunt. As for the Pokedex, it sticks to the first generation of Pokemon which allows the game to make the graphics a little more pleasing to the eye. If you own this game, you can easily obtain Meltan and Melmetal in Pokemon Go. It intends to take players back to Red, Yellow, and Green, but they made several changes. The partner pokemon are refreshing, but the changes to all game antagonists are not. Pokemon Let’s Go has players catch Pokemon like Pokemon Go and it offers a coop system that makes both catching and battling Pokemon significantly easier. EVs are replaced by candies.
    Pokemon Sword/Shield—This game is the eighth generation of Pokemon. It boasts the ability to make Pokemon battle ready quickly. Pokemon raids are a fun addition, considering how much XP you get in addition to the rare items and Pokemon obtained. Raids allow the postgame (ie collecting Pokemon and making them powerful enough to challenge other players) to go quicker than ever before. It’s not exciting per se to participate in a raid, and it can also be incredibly frustrating if you go with AI teammates since certain Pokemon do their absolute best to do nothing during the raid. Players can change Pokemon natures and obtain hidden abilities through items, which previously was impossible. It’s also easy to reset EVs. Finally, and most importantly for myself, there are a variety of methods to shiny hunt. In addition to shiny Pokemon, there are marked Pokemon, which are Pokemon with ribbons that allow for a title to follow after their name. The introduction of the wild area allowed players to encounter a lot of Pokemon early in the game. This title’s flexibility is what has me coming back to play it years later.
    Pokemon Home—This app is important since it is key to trading Pokemon over the GTS.
    Pokemon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl—A nostalgic nod to Pokemon’s 4th generation. It includes some features of Platinum, but not all of them. The most efficient way to shiny hunt is through Poke Radar, but it’s possible to “mess up” your streak if you encounter Pokemon the wrong way. Other than that, this game has the worst odds to encounter shinies. On the plus side, though, the ai actually puts up a little bit of a fight. Gym leaders use viable strategies seen in online ranked play. The underground acts as a simplified wild area which addresses a former weakness of the limited Pokedex entries of the old games.
    Pokken Tournament DX—A fighting style game. I played the demo and had fun with it, but it was too expensive for me personally to justify purchasing it.
    Pokemon Unite—A kid friendly moba. Still has plenty of toxic moments, but for better or worse, players have a hard time communicating to each other. It’s a fun free to play game that’s relatively easy to pick up.
    Pokemon Snap—This is a more casual approach to Pokemon, where you take pictures of Pokemon in their natural habitat. You can toss things at them to try to get a better angle. It’s shorter than other Pokemon games, and it looks a lot nicer to boot.
    Pokemon Legends Arceus—The latest Pokemon title (with the longest tutorial). You either love its game design or you don’t. I really like how it focuses on catching Pokemon out in the open. Typically, encountering Pokemon is a random encounter from a set encounter table. As I played the game, I felt like I was memorizing where different Pokemon hung out. I don’t know why it gave me such joy to hear an alpha Blissey roar out a challenge to the world, or to hear the cry of surprise when a Pokeball hit them out of the blue, or to hear the cry of outrage when they broke out and spotted me. This is really the only game where shiny hunting could be dubbed as “fun” since this is another game that allows overworld shinies as you ride a Pokemon roaming the world. Another thing worth mentioning is that I enjoyed the characters in this one as some of them were as goofy as the Pokemon Gale of Darkness and Colosseum era. I would have liked more variety in the research tasks, and the graphics would have been well received during the Gamecube era. Contrary to what you might have heard, it is not an open world game. It’s more like five large wild areas plus one hub.    … Expand
  28. Timberx2
    Feb 1, 2022
    9
    I genuinely don't understand the hate for this game. This game was a great addition to the franchise, they let you explore and catch whatever pokemon you want, the first few areas aren't the dumb "why catch anything here" areas for once, and the tutorials are basically GONE. By the end of the game, I caught myself having the level of fun i had with Pokemon Crystal+Pokemon Sapphire as aI genuinely don't understand the hate for this game. This game was a great addition to the franchise, they let you explore and catch whatever pokemon you want, the first few areas aren't the dumb "why catch anything here" areas for once, and the tutorials are basically GONE. By the end of the game, I caught myself having the level of fun i had with Pokemon Crystal+Pokemon Sapphire as a kid. 10/10 recommend this game, while the weather and a few other things are janky, the core game is still a blast.… Expand
  29. 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.
  30. GenkiYokota
    Jan 27, 2022
    10
    One of the best modern generations of Pokémon, much better than the distant and mythical X and Y.
    Unfairly criticized, the video game press did appreciate the game. Since it has a great story, a very varied and fun world to explore, as well as one of the best multiplayer ever seen.
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Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best Switch Game of 2019
1
#1 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 87 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 87
  3. Negative: 0 out of 87
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Apr 30, 2020
    80
    Sword & Shield stumble in a few areas and history may not be kind to them, but they're setting up a future that I'm excited to see. [Issue #44 – January/February 2020, p. 73]
  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 »