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. SneakyCactuar
    Nov 16, 2019
    9
    I preordered this game just hours before release and I am very happy I did. The game is very enjoyable and it's great to get to play a pokemon game again on consoles. I haven't played on handhelds at all in my adulthood, so the last entries I played were ruby/sapphire. There are some great quality of life improvements since my last pokemon experience and the selection of pokemon is veryI preordered this game just hours before release and I am very happy I did. The game is very enjoyable and it's great to get to play a pokemon game again on consoles. I haven't played on handhelds at all in my adulthood, so the last entries I played were ruby/sapphire. There are some great quality of life improvements since my last pokemon experience and the selection of pokemon is very good, even if some are unfortunately missing. I'm a little over 10 hours in and have had trouble pulling myself away from it. Which honestly isn't something that happens often. Definitely recommend this game, I have Shield :)… Expand
  2. Gnitlo
    Nov 16, 2019
    9
    While a lot of people are upset about the Dexit and issues with the game, which is perfectly fine and understandable, I have not felt that this has ruined my experience with the game. This is my favorite Pokémon game to date and I've been thoroughly enjoying it despite some framedrops while online on the wild area as well as some (note SOME) less than stellar animations. If you're a fan ofWhile a lot of people are upset about the Dexit and issues with the game, which is perfectly fine and understandable, I have not felt that this has ruined my experience with the game. This is my favorite Pokémon game to date and I've been thoroughly enjoying it despite some framedrops while online on the wild area as well as some (note SOME) less than stellar animations. If you're a fan of Pokémon and don't mind the cut to the pokedex I can't recommend this game enough.… Expand
  3. Rilian218
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    I wanted to love the game and have tried to justify and defend the changes amidst all the controversy. This happened in Gen 3 too right? It’ll all get better, this game will prove the haters wrong! But after finally getting that shiny gold steel book double edition...I feel like a fool. Playing through I can’t help but feel like this was a game started for the 3DS and then partiallyI wanted to love the game and have tried to justify and defend the changes amidst all the controversy. This happened in Gen 3 too right? It’ll all get better, this game will prove the haters wrong! But after finally getting that shiny gold steel book double edition...I feel like a fool. Playing through I can’t help but feel like this was a game started for the 3DS and then partially scrapped to hastily make it a “Switch” title. All the heart of the game was left on the cutting room floor. There are hints at what could have been an amazing game and there’s beauty to be found here and there. But I can’t help but regret supporting GameFreak and the Pokémon Company with my money. After playing for a little while, I realized that for all of the people saying “You can’t judge it until you played it” and praising the game...they probably haven’t played it either. I can’t imagine they could play this and not feel as empty inside as the wild area is. If you haven’t already bought the game, or if you were planning to buy this for a loved one, I can’t recommend it. If you do and you have fun that’s great! But this really feels like the end of an era of Pokémon games that created fantastic memories and journeys with friends, both Pokémon and those we make in real life.… Expand
  4. fab1012
    Nov 16, 2019
    9
    It is true this game is not the best pokemon game and less the best game of the year but it is the first stone for a promising future of pokemon, in this game we could appreciate one of the best inventions to date in the world of pokemon which It is the creation of the wild area which will be the first stone for the creation of the tower that is the future of pokemon.
  5. Aurasphere
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    Bland, shallow and overall lazy attempt to bring one of the most loved game franchise around the world on the home console. Huge disappointment as it could have been so much better than the previous DS games.
  6. Rohmeo
    Nov 16, 2019
    9
    Sehr gut, auch wenn einige Pokemon fehlen. Die Grafik könnte zwar noch besser sein aber dennoch ist es bisher das beste Pokemon Spiel.
  7. Rochter
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    I would had forgiven the Animation errors, and framedrops if they actually worked more on them rather than just using it as an excuse or token of exchange for cut content.

    Not only that, but, i payed 50 bucks to get my save data wiped out... And a lot of games dont support online cloud saves.... Thanks a lot...
  8. Tkm7
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Not a proper mainline Pokemon game. So much stripped out, so little given back. One step forwards, two back
  9. ThunderLunch
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    En si el juego cumple su cometido en términos simples, no es mal juego pero tampoco es el nuevo que se esperaba desde hace mucho, animaciones si cambian algunas y otras se mantienen, y en pocas palabras se perdió más de lo que se ganó con las supuesta mejoras que hicieron al juego, se siente como que debió desarrollarse mayor tiempo este juego.

    #gamefreaklied
  10. Zara_Masters
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    This game is so unbelievably bad, Not just compared to previous Pokemon games, not just compared to previous RPGs, just in general.

    There is barely anything I can possibly compliment, uhh there are a few cute Pokemon? Like every previous game, except they removed 50% of all Pokemon including the cute ones. This game has also been the cause of multiple Switch based glitches. So if you    This game is so unbelievably bad, Not just compared to previous Pokemon games, not just compared to previous RPGs, just in general.

    There is barely anything I can possibly compliment, uhh there are a few cute Pokemon? Like every previous game, except they removed 50% of all Pokemon including the cute ones.

    This game has also been the cause of multiple Switch based glitches. So if you are looking for a Christmas gift, consider a classic Pokemon game? Or just any other RPG.    … Expand
  11. aleqhz
    Nov 16, 2019
    2
    The game is a disappointment considering how eager I was to play it, and pre-ordered both versions.

    I don't believe it is worth its price because of its poor quality and poor content. I finished the game in ~18 hours including the almost non-existent PostGame. Basically, fewer Pokémon, fewer Moves, no Z-Moves, no MegaEvolutions, GTS is gone, Exp. Share always on, you have to get    The game is a disappointment considering how eager I was to play it, and pre-ordered both versions.

    I don't believe it is worth its price because of its poor quality and poor content. I finished the game in ~18 hours including the almost non-existent PostGame.
    Basically, fewer Pokémon, fewer Moves, no Z-Moves, no MegaEvolutions, GTS is gone, Exp. Share always on, you have to get Earbuds from NPC to be able to change volume settings, Trees have N26 textures, Pokémon animations are really bad and they look lifeless in the wild like zombies..

    Also, important to mention that the game also crashed and deleted every single downloaded content I had on my SD Card. I'm not sure about the save data since mine are uploaded to the cloud. So be careful!

    Honestly I can't find anything good to say about the game. So it's 2 for effort!    … Expand
  12. DanDonato
    Nov 16, 2019
    10
    Best Pokémon game ever made.
    It’s just magical to be able to play my favourite portable franchise in a console for the first time.
    The game it’s stunningly beautiful, the Galar region is awesome, the new Pokémon are incredible well-designed.
    One of the best games on the already awesome Nintendo Switch library.

    #ThankYouGameFreak
  13. Nesz
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Diseños pobres, muchos espacios vacíos, personajes olvidables, juego no acabado no vale la pena
  14. poxotaf266
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    The people giving it a 10 can't even give 1 reason why they like the game. It is the worst installment of the franchise:
    - removed 450 pokemon
    - removed 130 moves - removed key features - fewer than 100 new pokemon - linear region - only 10 routes - no dungeons - reused models - reused textures - reused animations - reused music - short playtime - short postgame - boring    The people giving it a 10 can't even give 1 reason why they like the game. It is the worst installment of the franchise:
    - removed 450 pokemon
    - removed 130 moves
    - removed key features
    - fewer than 100 new pokemon
    - linear region
    - only 10 routes
    - no dungeons
    - reused models
    - reused textures
    - reused animations
    - reused music
    - short playtime
    - short postgame
    - boring story
    - handholding
    - low difficulty
    - buggy
    - unpolished
    - lazy
    - rushed
    - no cohesion
    - potentially console-breaking (NAND issues are legit according to experts)    … Expand
  15. gamerhero
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    Creo que no se merece mas de 1 por el poco trabajo y respeto a los usuarios de la serie... teniendo en el año juegos como gears5, death stranding, sekir y resident evil 2, nintendo nos viene a vender este juego de hace dos o mas generaciones a precio de los anteriores. Un timo por cualquier lado que lo vean y sobre todo que te lo vende doble a precio full. Cuando no inova en ni un solo aspecto
  16. carreracarrera
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    No puedo mas que darle un 1 debido a la falta de respeto de ofrecer un producto con afan de engaño...ni en graficas, musica, voces, historia, jugabilidad, ni batallas esta en 2019. Parece.de generaciones pasadas. Ademas esto de sacar dos versiones iguales no es mas que un timo de venderte un juego incompleto en dos partes a precio full ambos
  17. Kazkry
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Absolute GARBAGE! The most profitable franchise of all time with all the money in the world, yet makes the same game each year gradually worse? Boycott Pokemon games until they innovate and make quality.
  18. AntonicoG
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Only 400 Pokémon(less than a game of 13 years like Pokémon Diamond or a free mobile game like Pokémon GO)and this is only 1 of all the problems of this game...
  19. dmolken
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    These games are extremely bare bones and rushed. These games almost look like a direct port of a 3DS game. They cut over 50% of the Pokemon, deleted over 100 old moves, and charge 50% more money ($60 vs $40) than the 3DS Pokemon games. On top of that, Game Freak said that they needed to cut 50% of the Pokemon in order to make high quality models and animations for the Pokemon. I'd be okayThese games are extremely bare bones and rushed. These games almost look like a direct port of a 3DS game. They cut over 50% of the Pokemon, deleted over 100 old moves, and charge 50% more money ($60 vs $40) than the 3DS Pokemon games. On top of that, Game Freak said that they needed to cut 50% of the Pokemon in order to make high quality models and animations for the Pokemon. I'd be okay with that if it wasn't for the fact that they lied, and they actually are using 3DS models and animations. Because they are using the 3DS models, there is no reason why they should be cutting over 50% of the Pokemon. Do not support a developer that lies to you. Boycott this game.… Expand
  20. The_Janitor
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    A truly sad excuse for a modern Pokemon title and also the utterly butched first outing of the dearly beloved series on an actual console.
    As usual the games beginning and first few hours feel great and inviting but with each and every hour the game shows it's unfinished and half baked side. The overall experience with the art department of this game can be broken down to "Pathetic    A truly sad excuse for a modern Pokemon title and also the utterly butched first outing of the dearly beloved series on an actual console.
    As usual the games beginning and first few hours feel great and inviting but with each and every hour the game shows it's unfinished and half baked side. The overall experience with the art department of this game can be broken down to "Pathetic excuses for "high quality animations" and reused assets galore".
    The soundtrack is great and among the new Pokemon are quite a few that are absolutely adorable and easily can be counted as some of the best gamefreak created so far, but all of this is not really helping if Gamefreak is not willing to put in the work to put in some actual work in the other aspects of the game.
    Gamefreak culled over 50% of the pokemon cast and thereby halved the main attraction of the series claiming this to be a decision they will keep for future entries since it would be too much work to prepare unique and high quality animations for more than 1000 critters.
    It is unfortunately very obvious that sword and shield make use of the old "future proofed" models and no new or refined animations were added.
    As if this wasn't bad enough, the work put into the new pokemon is lacking too (especially outside of battles...)
    The game also suffers a lot on the technical site.
    The "open world" stutters quite a lot and even during battles many framedrops and other performance issues can be witnessed. This comes to no surprise since gamefreak has well known problems with updating their programming methods and sticks to already faulty development techniques. While there may be people defending the open world's hiccups with the fact that it is an open world, here is a little reminder that "The legend of zelda - breath of the wild" is a game on the very same console as this trashfire but it is running smoothly.
    I simply can't recommend to buy this game at all, let's just hope that Gen. 9 will be the return to former glory.
    Please gamefreak there is no need to lie, if you need more time to ship a good game join nintendo's recently shown mentality and simply delay the release until it's done.

    TLDR;
    On many levels, pokemon sword and shield feels like the "Mighty no. 9" of pokemon, it feels unfinished and obvious lies new break into the overall rating of the game. Gamefreak seems to have lost it's touch.    … Expand
  21. minecrad
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    I ordered this bedside lamp and it did not come in good shape it was broken and too short and bad pls refund me micosoft
  22. Metalcritico
    Nov 16, 2019
    10
    Excelente muchas horas de juego como siempre en las sagas de pokemon!
    Super adictivo!!
  23. RODREZA
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    It lacks all the things that makes the Pokemon saga a good game. So disgusted.
  24. xsomberlain
    Nov 16, 2019
    10
    Look, it's just pokemon guys. This is a fun/relaxing playthrough, with a lot of great new features. As someone who's played through every pokemon game, this is some of the most fun I've had in the series in a long time.
  25. DrGoodKiwi
    Nov 16, 2019
    4
    Pokémon Sword (and Shield, by association) are games that follow the safety of trends developed by previous installments, many of which are unfavorable for a thoroughly engaging experience. As these games are the 8th installments of the main series games that are not remakes and introduce core elements or ideas shared between previous connecting games, it only makes sense that innovationPokémon Sword (and Shield, by association) are games that follow the safety of trends developed by previous installments, many of which are unfavorable for a thoroughly engaging experience. As these games are the 8th installments of the main series games that are not remakes and introduce core elements or ideas shared between previous connecting games, it only makes sense that innovation is compared.

    This game holds many small improvements that I found. For example, while the Pokémon models derive from models used in previous installments with slight tweaks to the base, the model textures of the Pokémon themselves have a less washed out color than those in the 3DS titles. Trainer customization is improved with a larger variety of options when designing your player character. Although this aspect is subjective, many of the new creature designs seem to keep the wide range of personality found in other generational installments. Some are very cute, some are cooler, and some are just bizarre. There are a few Pokémon designs that would have benefited from another draft to provide more cohesion in their designs, but because this is Pokémon it is likely that every new creature will become the favorite of at least one person.

    The main problem that these games face comes from a lack of time to fully implement the ideas that they wished to introduce. The Wild Area for exploring Pokémon and engaging in cooperative raids with friends, while a fun idea, has some glaring technical issues that break the immersion of the world it tries to create. The area itself is more flat than expected, and it is easy across the whole main area without the need of a vantage point. This becomes a problem with the sudden weather changes that envelop the whole map and happen without subtlety, which makes it feel as if the game designers wanted to include actual climates and geography differences but couldn't. These changes blur your scope of view from what you had previously been able to see within seconds. In addition, areas both inside and outside of the Wild Area utilize a method of graphical "pop-in" where objects of importance are only visible to player when the player is close enough to the object. While not as awkward in normal routes and towns, the scope of view in the Wild Area causes the whole area to feel empty rather than populated without the Level of Detail that could have been utilized.

    The story has fewer aspects than previous installments, as the main goals and development of characters come from the gym challenge aspect of the game. There is a story regarding the featured Legendary Pokémon, but most of it lacks development throughout the main story and feels less integrated into the adventure as seen in previous installments. Some of it is only explored in the post-game content which covers roughly 2 hours. The adventure from exploring the routes with your designated companion, Hop, draws parallels to the character Hau in Sun & Moon. This is an aspect of the previous games and these that both railroaded my exploration and broke my flow of play often, something I wish would have been changed. Many mannerisms of Hop match Hau as well.

    When comparing game additions to previous installments, many parallels can be drawn (especially in regards to the Sun & Moon games).
    Many interesting move animations are introduced for the Legendary Pokémon and Starter Pokémon, but only for their signature moves that would only be used by them. Sun and Moon did this for their Legendary/Starter Pokémon exclusive moves as well.
    Dynamax moves per type are large with many particle effects, but this was the same with Sun & Moon's Z-moves by type.
    The Gigantimax unique Pokémon moves are the same, but this was also done with Sun & Moon's Pokémon exclusive Z-Moves.
    Various animations or expressions found in the new Camping and Curry Cooking features of the game match the amount of depth as feeding or petting found in XY's Pokémon Amie or Sun/Moon's Pokémon Refresh. The main difference is the addition of Pokémon walking around, similar to unused assets found in Sun & Moon.

    Many small features have questionable changes to them, such as the controversial requirement of experience gained for all units (Pokémon) that had been an option of play style available previously. Options for sound adjustment, a common feature in video games, are restricted to a key item given later through the game.

    Overall, this game feels like a product of less ambition with a new coat of paint that doesn't hide the problems. What's bad about this is the expected trend these games are said to lead for the future. At the risk of using an analogy, it's as if a car company you love started making only boats. You can enjoy the boat, it is similar to your car, you can still enjoy your car, but you wish they would still make cars.
    The given scale is 11 choices (0-10). 5 falls in the center as the median choice, these games are below that choice.    … Expand
  26. PandaHerop1990
    Nov 16, 2019
    9
    this game isnt perfect, but all look rly beatiful and the music is awessome. the problem is the animation of the pokemon and some details in the battle. i will miss my old pokemon and i think is the problem, but the people didnt play competitive dont understand that, because they didnt see a fkn landorust, and same team every game.
  27. Zasfe
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    Tiene gráficos muy malos, muchos bugs, sin pokédex completa, fallos con el autoguardado, sin Megas, sin Movimientos Z, mucho curry que no se pidio, una historia muy mala y aburrida, no explican el lore de eternatus.
  28. billythorton198
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Just cutting half the pokemon brings it down to a 3, then all of the other features that were available being cut?! This game should have never been sold
  29. Jonathan1910
    Nov 16, 2019
    10
    El juego es perfecto se nota el salto grafico y 94 nuevos pkm muy bien diseñados ligeros detalles pero que merece la pena
  30. Bisquick
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    This is one of the games that comes to mind from lazy rushed games. This feels like the crap Bethesda would pull not Gamefreak. I hope they learn a hard lesson from this experience and work to make the next generation on par with their normal quality.
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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 »