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. Gagnef
    Nov 22, 2019
    0
    -The game is short.

    -Many Pokémons have been cut to get "better animations", when the combat animations that are there are soulless and bad.

    -The graphics are sometimes worse than a N64 game.

    -No voice acting even though it seems like there was supposed to be there.

    no
  2. nafechinde
    Nov 21, 2019
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this game does not deserves your hard earned money, save it for much much better indie games on pc… Expand
  3. PokeBluedude
    Feb 24, 2020
    4
    I have played every pokemon (main title) game since original blue and red version and sadly I think this is the worst iteration of a pokemon adventure ever. I'm sure that seems a bit steep to some, those that have enjoyed it for example, but it's what I feel. The whole netdex thing and marketing of the game didn't help its case. But mostly its the game. Its just not AAA. Way to much handI have played every pokemon (main title) game since original blue and red version and sadly I think this is the worst iteration of a pokemon adventure ever. I'm sure that seems a bit steep to some, those that have enjoyed it for example, but it's what I feel. The whole netdex thing and marketing of the game didn't help its case. But mostly its the game. Its just not AAA. Way to much hand holding. Constantcutscenes and an annoying rival.… Expand
  4. BrunoFaria
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    Jogo incrível, fazia muito tempo q não sentia tanta diversão ao jogar um jogo de Pokémon. Joguei todas as gerações
  5. Iki2234
    Nov 23, 2019
    10
    This game is actually Very nice!! I enjoyed it more than i thought i would. The story is nice, the pokes are Nice and the gym leaders are Nice as well!! I dont think It deserve a 10 but since the rates are really bad, i Will give a 10
  6. RollEXE
    Nov 16, 2019
    6
    Pokémon Sword and Shield is an enjoyable game. I enjoyed the music, the battles but found the graphics lacking for a Switch game and I felt with all the datamining that the National Dex could've be completed and there are sometimes glitches (sure they will patch them out). The games doesn't either deserve 9/10 nor 1/10, it's a fun enough game to pass your time.
  7. Lololo809
    Nov 17, 2019
    7
    Im having fun, catching and leveling pokemon is fun and not grindy.
    The gym challenges are a bit lacking but some innovate on the mechanics of the pre-existing games.
    I don’t get the people saying that Dynamax is a stupid mechanic, you can dynamax any pokemon and not like mega-evolution that was only for some. It’s sad that not all pokemon are in the game but this opens a little more    Im having fun, catching and leveling pokemon is fun and not grindy.
    The gym challenges are a bit lacking but some innovate on the mechanics of the pre-existing games.
    I don’t get the people saying that Dynamax is a stupid mechanic, you can dynamax any pokemon and not like mega-evolution that was only for some.
    It’s sad that not all pokemon are in the game but this opens a little more variety in the competitive battling which I find it great in comparison with some last installments that had a very broken and centered metagame.
    Talking about competitive pokemon, the changes they made to quality of life -like the ability to give egg moves, change natures, vitamins- are excellent and it will greatly improve the health of the player base.
    The story is fun and engaging while still being simple enough for children to play. If it wasn’t for the pokedex fiasco I would give it a solid 9/10 but the cut did disappoint since my favorite pokemon -Klefki- was cut from the game.    … Expand
  8. YhuSel
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Un juego aburrido, lineal, con errores gráficos fatales, sin doblaje, texturas de los años 1995 e historia y dificultad demasiado fácil "para niños" prácticamente es un juego que no merece el precio y el tiempo que se espero por el.
  9. Toutong
    Nov 17, 2019
    3
    The Pokemon franchise suffers the same problem as FIFA (verdict at the end).
    The core game will always be a good experience therefor you will ALWAYS have fun with the games and devs knows that therefor they go for the way that makes them the most money, aka releasing a game per year.
    Releasing a game per year comes at the cost of improvement, the problem does not come from Sw&Sh it    The Pokemon franchise suffers the same problem as FIFA (verdict at the end).
    The core game will always be a good experience therefor you will ALWAYS have fun with the games and devs knows that therefor they go for the way that makes them the most money, aka releasing a game per year.
    Releasing a game per year comes at the cost of improvement, the problem does not come from Sw&Sh it comes from every Pokemon games, why did it explode on that game? Because it's a switch to a new console therefor you expect those improvement the most at that moment.
    National dex controversy: It would be ok if they actually did why they said they removed it but they didn't.
    Animations: With a switch game that can handle a ton of things (perf wise) you'd hope for better animations, if an attack uses a Pokemon's feet it should be shown, not asking for a special animation for every move but like 5 standard animations + a few specific animations for iconic moves, I don't think that asking a lot.
    Game optimization: Considering the graphics of the game it should run at 60 fps constantly, it runs at 30 fps drops at 20 FPS in some places in the wild area while offline.
    Online: Complete mess, dropping to 10 fps constantly, some freezes, Nintendo makes people pay an extra for that, it should be way better than that.
    Graphics: Compared to other Switch games it's not up to the standard and it's absolutely should be compared to other Switch games on graphics that's completely fair, it's of course not the only thing that matters.
    Map: Way too linear design with only 10 roads in the game, the wild area is a nice addition but in reality with the capacity of the Switch the game should be a total open world not just one wild area and a smaller map.
    Post game content: Barely anything and what we have is not good, spamming dynamax raid fight at the end is not good content.
    Improvements over main title games: Wild area, Pokemon popups, Fixed some things for competitive.

    Verdict: If the game was the first Pokemon game ever created it would be a 7 or a 8 but it's not and should be judged based on the actual improvements especially at a generational change , the fact that there is not a lot of improvements and actually worse in a lot of things compared to older Pokemon games, it's a 3 for me.    … Expand
  10. Samuelde
    Nov 19, 2019
    0
    Pokémon espada no es un mal juego pero es increíble que en 2019 no puedan poner a todos los Pokémones y no puedan hacer luchas como en Pokémon stadium
  11. Frutch
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    Critics are blind or got brainwashed from Gamefreak itself.
    This company lied and released the worst Pokemon of the entire series.
  12. NaKaGaWa13
    Nov 19, 2019
    0
    Game Freak killed that game for me! No National pokedex, no starters from previous generation, no Totodile, no Croconaw, no Feralligatr...Weird leveling system...Worst Pokemon game ever..
  13. Jojoca
    Nov 19, 2019
    0
    Rushed game, gamefreak lied,this is a disrespect for pokemon fans,anyway i hope the next game they give the best to bring back the true fans
  14. James9000
    Nov 19, 2019
    0
    So many issues that it's almost un enjoyable the first two hours are hand holding cringe
  15. Shellshock010
    Nov 20, 2019
    0
    It looks and feels like the product of a rushed production with ZERO effort into making anything worth the players time. GameFreak holds the reins to the highest grossing franchise in the world and they can't even animate the characters in their own games? Pokemon sword and shield look like a 3DS game with less content and more technical issues. The online is unplayable due to the lack ofIt looks and feels like the product of a rushed production with ZERO effort into making anything worth the players time. GameFreak holds the reins to the highest grossing franchise in the world and they can't even animate the characters in their own games? Pokemon sword and shield look like a 3DS game with less content and more technical issues. The online is unplayable due to the lack of optimization and due to an unstable netcode. I've spent 20 years playing pokemon but now I got tired of not holding GameFreak accountable for their lack of respect towards fans. You want good pokemon games in the future? Don't waste your time on these last two.… Expand
  16. lucasts02
    Nov 21, 2019
    0
    Holy Jesus, 100 dollars on the bundle for a trash game. Cant even play 5 hours of the game, it is a disguting gameplay.
  17. gargom
    Nov 21, 2019
    0
    Esto es absurdo, un juego a medio hacer con las texturas a 144pixeles y repitiendo exactamente lo mismo que en nintendo ds pero en switch, innovación cero. Un juego hecho con prisas y sin novedades, no pienso comprarlo, no parais de reiros de vuestros fans, game freak porfavor dejad de querer hacer dinero fácil sin esforzaros lo más mínimo.
  18. Franco2000
    Nov 21, 2019
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. National Dex is not in the game this make me sad y grow up with the games and I want to catch em all… Expand
  19. xXFedericXx
    Nov 22, 2019
    0
    Bad texture, low framerate, no dub, no hard mode, no regional pokedex, bad plot
  20. demonkisa
    Nov 23, 2019
    10
    The game is still very good despite lack of some pokemon. Not all animations are bad and I think the animation debacle has been overblown. Pokemon has never been known for its animations. In comparison to the previous entry it is a rather appreciated return to form. Less emphasis on story and cutscenes every 5 seconds and more on collecting and training your pokemon. Also shiny Zizagoon.
  21. KaozSorceres
    Nov 24, 2019
    10
    El juego esta bastante buen, recomendado para nuevos y fanaticos, merece un 8 pero por los hatter le dare un 10.
  22. TheSalamiJam
    Dec 2, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Frick you haters. Don't make me stop buying the game. I rated it 10. I just love it and I understand the lies and controversy but that won't stop me.… Expand
  23. Kataklash
    Dec 3, 2019
    10
    Very good game! Characters are very good and the news pokémons are interesting!
  24. WizardChamp
    Dec 3, 2019
    10
    First to adress the elephant in the room, the visuals contain a lot of reused 3DS assets and unoptimized loading for the Switch. This game isn't overly visually stunning but it's if you approach it as a handheld game built for a home console by people who have little experience with optimizing the hardware, it's alright. Second, no not all the Pokémon are in the game but technically youFirst to adress the elephant in the room, the visuals contain a lot of reused 3DS assets and unoptimized loading for the Switch. This game isn't overly visually stunning but it's if you approach it as a handheld game built for a home console by people who have little experience with optimizing the hardware, it's alright. Second, no not all the Pokémon are in the game but technically you couldn't obtain them all in previous games either without transferring them from older games, it's fine, we still have about 400 Pokémon. The story echoes the traditional Pokémon plot structure 8 gyms, beat your rival(s), beat the team of miscreants that get in your way, and make your way to the Pokémon league. There's been 8 versions of this story prior with a few changes and adjustments (not counting retellings), it's just how Pokémon is. That being said the minor adjustments in Sword and Shield really echo some of the best past versions of it with some really neat and interesting twists, don't expect Shakespeare but if you liked past Pokémon stories you will like this one. The region the game is set in, Galar, is based on England and is probably going to be one of my favorite regions looking back. Most of the game takes place in one large connected segment of the region which honestly brings me back to games before the 6th and 7th generation of Pokémon on 3DS, and the Wild Area just adds to this connected feel (of course don't expect to have access to everything all at once, blocked off areas do open up as you go as in any other Pokémon game, and the beginning and ending segments have their own areas you won't be spending as much time in). As for the Pokémon themselves the game has a fine Pokémon selection including a bunch of new Pokémon and Galarian forms of old ones I absolutely love. The gameplay keeps the soul of the series while also offering some great stream lining and plenty of improvements, including some brought over from last years' Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee. I love the dynamax concept as a whole especially how it gives the feeling of unique and special Pokémon battles to wild non-story based encounters and just adds plenty of room to create new kinds of encounters as a whole. I finished the main story very over leveled but a post game encounter showed me that I could still improve so it's never too easy, just more accessible to everyone. In short despite the shortcomings Sword and Shield has improved where I think it matters most and offers excellent gameplay and story (for a Pokémon game's story) and has easily become one of my favorites in the series. I give Pokémon Sword and Shield a 10 out of 10.… Expand
  25. Attred
    Jan 15, 2020
    1
    Обманули игровое сообщество. Вырезали более 400 покемонов, сделали одинаковые комнаты взамен. В игре встречаются графические баги, имеет проблемы с производительностью. Эндгейм-контента почти нет. Обман GameFreak о том, что модели созданы с нуля. Самая отвратительная часть из всей серии. На фоне этой части pokemon let's go pikachu выглядит еще лучше теперь.Обманули игровое сообщество. Вырезали более 400 покемонов, сделали одинаковые комнаты взамен. В игре встречаются графические баги, имеет проблемы с производительностью. Эндгейм-контента почти нет. Обман GameFreak о том, что модели созданы с нуля. Самая отвратительная часть из всей серии. На фоне этой части pokemon let's go pikachu выглядит еще лучше теперь.
  26. zmz
    Feb 14, 2020
    3
    Cant believe there is a game, which came up in 2019 and at 60 dollar price tag , has only 10 roads and one barren boring wild area to explore,

    And besides ,the main story is frothy and blank, and no other side challenge and quests . If Zelda got 10, the same price game only deserves 3 .
  27. Carlos_A
    Mar 1, 2020
    1
    Gostei bastante dos novos pokémons, infelizmente a gamefreak gosta de fazer o que quiser com seu público, mas na efervescência do momento, sou obrigado a dizer que adorei o jogo, nota 1.
  28. TheBilly
    Mar 4, 2020
    0
    De lo peor de catálogo de la Switch, siendo lo mismo de siempre.

    Gráficos horribles, "Mundo Abierto" vació, jugabilidad por turnos con nula estrategia y personalización de avatar muy limitada (más haya de ser inútil en este tipo de juegos) y la venta del juego incompleto. Con DLC a un precio execivo.

    Recomiendo que inviertas esos 60 dólares en otra cosa.
  29. fabse96
    Mar 17, 2020
    0
    A complete atrocity of a game. I loved every single pokemon up to this one. But considering the hardware this game runs on and what other franchises were able to accomplish on the switch I would be embarrassed if I were gamefreak!
  30. Mudkip_Sexy
    Jun 22, 2020
    0
    MUCHO PASTO
    POCO POQUEMON
    MUCHO BUG
    MUCHO MICROPAGO
    MUCHO CHARIZAR
    POCA AwA
    MUCHA POKEDEX B)
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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 »