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. 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
  2. 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
  3. Nintendist
    Jul 2, 2022
    10
    this game is so good i love til the end. so lovely and very very strategic!
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. Aromdar
    Dec 8, 2019
    10
    Buen juego de pokemon, largo y entretenido , se nota la evolución en todos los aspectos , aunque no podamos usar todos los pokemon.
  9. 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
  10. edwardolardo
    Jan 6, 2020
    10
    My Background: Played Gen 1 and Gen 2 Pokemon Games

    Pros: -A lot of the things that made Pokemon easier in previous generations are on Sword/Shield. (i.e. TM's aren't lost after 1 use, backpack category sorting, etc.) -Wild Area is almost like playing Pokemon GO raids. Super fun with friends! A lot of different areas and a ton of pokemon in the wild area -Great build-up in the    My Background: Played Gen 1 and Gen 2 Pokemon Games

    Pros: -A lot of the things that made Pokemon easier in previous generations are on Sword/Shield. (i.e. TM's aren't lost after 1 use, backpack category sorting, etc.)
    -Wild Area is almost like playing Pokemon GO raids. Super fun with friends! A lot of different areas and a ton of pokemon in the wild area
    -Great build-up in the beginning, and good ending with a great post-game that ties everything together
    -Lots of new Pokemon (at least for me)
    -Dynamax is not overpowered

    Cons: -Dungeons are not as complex as Gen 1/2.
    -Between Gym #7 and Gym #8, there's really not much going on in terms of battles with other trainers    … Expand
  11. Flippy09
    Jun 20, 2020
    10
    Such a great game, everything I enjoy about pokemon, well over five hundred hours into this game.
  12. 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
  13. 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.
  14. mpesk
    Jun 21, 2020
    8
    good game, the new pokemon and artworks look good. During the campaign there's an actual story consistently present. The rivals during the story have their own personality, which is characterized quite good, more than the latest games for sure. The whole concept of gym challenges is a bit refreshed and enhanced, thanks to the dynamax feature too. The post game is almost existent, it triesgood game, the new pokemon and artworks look good. During the campaign there's an actual story consistently present. The rivals during the story have their own personality, which is characterized quite good, more than the latest games for sure. The whole concept of gym challenges is a bit refreshed and enhanced, thanks to the dynamax feature too. The post game is almost existent, it tries to hide it with the dynamax raid and the release of new form, sometimes it makes it, sometimes not. It's perfect for competitive pokemkn, by speeding the process of making pokemon for official competitions. On the graphic side there some losses, some bad animations and some textures are not so good, especially if compared with the 3d models of the pokemon, which are well made and good looking. Dven the online is messy and not so well managed. In the complex is a good game, with some fresh air contents that I hope will be expanded in the future.… Expand
  15. Lazariyo
    Jun 21, 2020
    8
    There are a lot of missed opportunities in the main story, but where it lacks in that is compensated by a lot in other aspects: The game is very accesibleis in building competitive teams, the music is top notch as always, the environments and landscapes are diverse and beautiful, gym battles are the most immersive of the entire series and of course the wild area and max raid battles.
  16. Leugimpiza
    Jun 23, 2020
    10
    Con el tiempo a mejorado el contenido es de los que le he didicado más de 700 horas, es el mejor juego para el competitivo
  17. Gastly67
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    Es muy buen juego, no el mejor pero lo intenta. Un amplio numero de Pokémon nuevos, lo malo es que debieron estar todos para que asi el juego sea mucho mejor
  18. 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!
  19. 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.
  20. 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
  21. 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.
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. 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
  27. 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.
  28. 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
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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 »