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. Mistermeatloaf3
    Nov 16, 2019
    9
    Very enjoyable game it has a nice battle system and it's graphics are good. I like the new improvements it made
  2. chuydavid
    Nov 16, 2019
    10
    Best Pokémon game ever! period. OPEN world makes it so beautiful. It has better graphics and style than Pokémon Let's Go. I highly recommend it.
  3. Kingloekie85
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Perfect game, good graphics and beautiful New pokemon. Game is easy to play.
  4. PredatoryWasp
    Nov 15, 2019
    8
    This is yet another solid entry into the Pokemon franchise. The game looks better than any previous game, yeah not all textures are perfect, but when you're playing, you barely notice. Some animations are stale, but smooth and expected and the new animations look wonderful. I'm about 20 hours in and it's still really fun and fresh to play.
  5. Naemesi
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Awesome music, SOME bad textures but the upmost are pretty cute. New Pokémons are freaking cool af.
    Support the game
  6. VloggyBuddy
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    The game is far from perfect. A few steps forward, a couple steps back. Yes the Pokemon omissions suck, but it's still a good game. I'm just gonna leave a 10 score.
  7. Josell04
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Está bastante bien, muy buena idea con lo de área silvestre, pa los que dicen que tiene una mierda de gráficos que lo comparen con el primer juego de pokemon y verán cómo si que tiene buenos gráficos.… Expand
  8. ArthurTunes
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Sem dúvidas é o melhor jogo de pokémon de todos os tempos, se tivesse a NationalDex, eu diria que é o jogo definitivo.
    Não achei nenhum bug durante a jogatina e já zerei.
    Estou apaixonado por esse jogo.
  9. supradeluxx
    Nov 15, 2019
    9
    Honestly, I let some skepticism get to me about the quality of this game. I wanna tell you that people do have a right to complain. But don’t be so ungrateful that you miss out on this title, because with my score it is WORTH the buy and the time. I only hope gamefreak takes seriously the complaints and I hope you take seriously the melodrama free review of this game. Now the mechanicsHonestly, I let some skepticism get to me about the quality of this game. I wanna tell you that people do have a right to complain. But don’t be so ungrateful that you miss out on this title, because with my score it is WORTH the buy and the time. I only hope gamefreak takes seriously the complaints and I hope you take seriously the melodrama free review of this game. Now the mechanics have some qualities of past titles, and newer qualities such as the encounters. I find myself smiling at the OP free roaming Pokémon that will hunt and squad wipe a underpowered team. Graphically it is more pleasing. Sounds are still 8 bit ish. Abomasnow roar sounds like a electric guitar. There was a lack of trainers on route 1 and 2 which I felt was disappointing. But there are great encounters to balance it out.… Expand
  10. Starlord87
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Gioco coloratissimo e molto bello va vedere... certo la grafica non è mai stata il punto cardine di GameFreak ma nel complesso è bello e divertente.... il miglior pokemon finora prodotto .. sono fiducioso che miglioreranno sicuramente
  11. Victorshp
    Nov 15, 2019
    8
    Me gusta este juego. Superó mis expectativas y todo lo mal que la gente hablaba
  12. Maher981
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    If your like me, and play Pokémon casually you will love this game over 400 Pokémon to catch is tons and you have the shiny variants. Don't forget in the first games there were 151 and that felt long trying to catch. The step up from 3ds graphics wise is amazing love love love it. Most of the neg reviews are people who haven't even bought the game. Pokémon has never been a story rich gameIf your like me, and play Pokémon casually you will love this game over 400 Pokémon to catch is tons and you have the shiny variants. Don't forget in the first games there were 151 and that felt long trying to catch. The step up from 3ds graphics wise is amazing love love love it. Most of the neg reviews are people who haven't even bought the game. Pokémon has never been a story rich game it's a chilling game for me and I'm loving it at the moment. Best one yet!!… Expand
  13. tencentk
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Great game don't believe all the hate from people who haven't played the game.
  14. Babyturk
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I find it quite refreshing and love the fact that all Pokémon are not in the game.… Expand
  15. FatBoyNibbles
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Amazing experience for a new switch title.
  16. niko112
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    i have been playing pokemon since gen 3 and these games are amazing. At its roots, this game is just downright fun.
  17. Dar1ism
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Could there have been more pokemon? Yes, but that does not make this game anything less than it is. Why would a AAA switch title cost anything less than 60 dollars!?

    The game is great. Amazing to be able to play a main pokemon story on my TV. I played all night long and really noticed some common sense changes put into the game. One such change is making mystery gift available from    Could there have been more pokemon? Yes, but that does not make this game anything less than it is. Why would a AAA switch title cost anything less than 60 dollars!?

    The game is great. Amazing to be able to play a main pokemon story on my TV. I played all night long and really noticed some common sense changes put into the game. One such change is making mystery gift available from inside the game. The soundtrack is fantastic! I am excited to see the adventure through, people should really play the game themselves and develop and informed decision instead of exerting "keyboard courage" to bash something they know nothing about first hand!    … Expand
  18. jakemoxx
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Liking the game very much so far. Wild area landscape and assets are minimal because it's for online gaming, pretty much like wow textures in crowded farming areas, nothing strange and feels good anyways. Gameplay has been getting quality of life changes that I'm loving, story is strange and not linear as pokemon was used to. Etc etc
  19. Hahn
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Es una nueva generación y un nuevo comienzo para la saga que tanto adoro, y debo decir que no me ha decepcionado para nada, es genial el juego lo recomiendo mucho, te garantiza muchas horas de diversión
  20. Sausy-Mcsauce
    Nov 15, 2019
    9
    Great game. It has it’s flaws but yeah every game has them. Let’s be honest here, these games don’t deserve all those bad reviews.
  21. Cfgk24
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    OMG! Best Damn Pokemon game I've ever played! Loving the fluidity of the gameplay.
    Without hesitation - you should get Pokemon Sword/shield. :)
  22. DoctorFox
    Nov 20, 2019
    9
    This entry in the mainline Pokemon series is a great one. Despite all the negative backlash concerning the removal of the national dex, Game Freak has pushed the series in a successful new direction. The story is easygoing and fun, the dynamax / gigantimax feature is fun too, the wild area is awesome and overall the game is super enjoyable - as games should be!
  23. BigDragon
    Nov 25, 2019
    6
    I wanted Pokemon Breath of the Wild. What I got was some sort of incremental upgrade from the 3DS era of Pokemon games with the same old story, several QOL improvements, an entertaining new camping system, almost no after-story content, and special forms that are impossible to get if playing the way the developers intended. Overall, I'm disappointed.

    I hope that the next Pokemon game    I wanted Pokemon Breath of the Wild. What I got was some sort of incremental upgrade from the 3DS era of Pokemon games with the same old story, several QOL improvements, an entertaining new camping system, almost no after-story content, and special forms that are impossible to get if playing the way the developers intended. Overall, I'm disappointed.

    I hope that the next Pokemon game for Switch focuses on an actual story. Have the player tracking down Team Rocket and thwarting them, searching for a lost relative, or trying to track a legendary Pokemon that goes on a destructive rampage across the region -- give me a story that is more complex than "complete gyms" and has side quests. Give me a way to get the Pokemon I want and be able to use them before it's too late and the story is over. Give me more things to do after the story is over. Integrate the open world section such that it connects to every town and route. Stop creating new monsters and instead improve the ones we have by adding evolutionary trees, alternate forms, or integrating the Mega Evolutions as permanent forms -- no more temporary Dynamax or Z-Moves or other gimmicks.

    I really hope that the next Pokemon game is a step up. I think re-releasing Sword and Shield or making a "Bow and Arrow" third edition would be a huge mistake.

    Pros:
    + New camping system is great! I love seeing Pokemon out and about, interacting with each other, and playing.
    + Wild area is a great break from linear routes.
    + Balance seems improved from previous games. Some gyms were actually challenging this time around. Game will allow you to pick fights with Pokemon significantly above your level. Exp share feels balanced and great for integrating lower level Pokemon in your team.
    + Pokeshops and Pokemon Centers are integrated. Boxes are always available even when wandering the wild area or routes. Huge QOL improvement!!!
    + Fast travel between important locations speeds up map navigation.
    + Dynamax battles change up the usual gym leader battles. Gym leader battles are definitely spectacles now.
    + Very good music.
    + Wild Pokemon are visible walking around or within tall grass.
    + You get access to breeding rather early on.

    Cons:
    - Same gym crawl we've all played before. Same rival interaction we've experienced before. Basic story. The Pokemon game formula is stale. I want more motivation rather than "gotta catch them all, gotta battle them all." Been there, done that. Give me something FRESH.
    - Existence of a Gigantamax form for a Pokemon does not mean the Pokemon in your party can use it. I got a Charmander via trading. It was unable to use the new Charizard Gigantamax form that was heavily advertised. Getting Gigantamax Pokemon is grindy and utilizes too much RNG.
    - Too many Pokemon are not included. A lot of my favorites are not present.
    - Wild area is not well integrated with much of the map. There are very few entry/exit points. Wild area would function better as a hub connecting different locations.
    - Limited trading capabilities. You need to arrange link code trades outside of the game or hope for something good in the surprise trade.
    - Limited number of things to do after beating the main story.
    - You must use exploits and minmax strategies to acquire Pokemon you need to play competitively. The RNG is obnoxious.
    - Cooperative play is limited to Dynamax battles. Not enough PvE content.
    - You get access to Ditto too late in the story.    … Expand
  24. IHateFanboys
    Nov 21, 2019
    3
    While you can still catch and battle pokemon, which is always fun, this feels like the most lifeless pokemon yet. Where other franchises transferred to the switch by releasing innovative new takes on their formula, Pokemon sword and Shield cut back on their own content and released a half-baked version of their same old story. Either through mismanagement or malice, Pokemon is no longerWhile you can still catch and battle pokemon, which is always fun, this feels like the most lifeless pokemon yet. Where other franchises transferred to the switch by releasing innovative new takes on their formula, Pokemon sword and Shield cut back on their own content and released a half-baked version of their same old story. Either through mismanagement or malice, Pokemon is no longer about catching them all, but trying to pick through the ones that made the cut.… Expand
  25. HOFFERN
    Nov 20, 2019
    4
    Its just ok. The game is not bad, but it is literally just a copy of the older games. Sure, new region and bosses, as well as new Pokemon. But also the same backstory as any other game, the same mechanics, and even animations are the exact same as the last game. I hate the new mega pokemon feature.. I really don't see the point in it, should have just kept them normal, and instead focusedIts just ok. The game is not bad, but it is literally just a copy of the older games. Sure, new region and bosses, as well as new Pokemon. But also the same backstory as any other game, the same mechanics, and even animations are the exact same as the last game. I hate the new mega pokemon feature.. I really don't see the point in it, should have just kept them normal, and instead focused on making a more engaging world that the Pokemon actually live in. This could have been the chance to see a great open world rpg Pokemon game, but no.. its just more of the same. They even didn't give us the chance to get the old Pokemon inside the game... you will not find most of the old characters from the original 150, and also most of other Pokemon as well. Just new ones, and a few of the old ones like Charmander.

    Some critics are saying this is the best Pokemon game... I dare to say the opposite. It is a hollow copy of what Pokemon once was, a remake with some new characters.. and I should not have wasted 20 dollars more than a DS game for a game that is literally the same as the old ones. It is probably the worst game in the series so far, at least we knew Pokemon Go would be a simplified remake of the old games.. but this just feels like a fake remake.. as if someone made a Pokemon game without having access to the actual Pokemon IP, a Chinese copy if you will.. and you should wait for the price to drop if you are considering it.    … Expand
  26. iozay
    Dec 17, 2019
    9
    Great game, Gamefreak has however made a few mistakes (Cutting pokedex without good reasons and it not being up to the standards for a Nintendo game) but other than that the game is great :)
  27. Ghostbot
    Nov 24, 2019
    3
    Forget the Dex cut, this game has bigger issue.
    Admittedly, they're also related to lack of content.
    No mainline game has ever been this short and empty. No evil team, no side legendary, no CS (Fly lives on as the fast travel system, which doesn't even have an animation; Surf lives on as the water bike which is probably the least exciting way to handle that), barely any point of    Forget the Dex cut, this game has bigger issue.
    Admittedly, they're also related to lack of content.

    No mainline game has ever been this short and empty.
    No evil team, no side legendary, no CS (Fly lives on as the fast travel system, which doesn't even have an animation; Surf lives on as the water bike which is probably the least exciting way to handle that), barely any point of interest (a single cave, 2 forests, a single water route, ZERO building/ruin of any kind to clear), no victory road, no Elite 4 (you basically do more of the same instead), arguably there is nothing to do in the entire game aside from going from gym to gym, and clearing a gym isn't any longer than in previous games.
    The WA is a mixed bag, I can hardly call it a plus when 1: you need to pay the online fee to get the most out of it, 2: it lags, 3: it is ugly and empty. Raids are fun but they're the only saving grace.
    The permanent multi-EXP means if you try to make your own fun, you'll be overleveled all throughout the game, so even if you block out the lack of content and embrace the open area, you'll just make what little content is left worse.
    The postgame is a joke. They basically cut characters that should have been elements of the story, and have you rush through their events (more stadium battles!) for two hours before rolling credits again.
    Hop's final team is on par with the champion's, so since your team was stronge enough to defeat Leon, as soon as his final postgame battle is available you are more than ready to face him (and that's assuming you don't just solo his team with the legendary pokémon you just got).

    If this were a 3DS game, it'd be a pretty one but the lack of content would be a deal breaker.
    As a Switch game, as the first mainline title on console, as a game worth 60 dollars + the online fee (a first!) this is an EMBARASSEMENT, a step on down on a lot of fields and its lack of new elements (voice acting, multiple saves, gameplay overhaul...) is damning.

    It's okay to enjoy what little is there, it is NOT okay to pat Game Freaks on the back with this lazy game.    … Expand
  28. jenkins748
    Nov 19, 2019
    9
    I’m loving it. Haven’t played Pokémon since ruby and sapphire so for me this is all very fresh. Couldn’t give a **** about Dexit. Plenty of things to do and a huge variety of Pokémon of which I’m slowly starting to learn. Loving the graphics and gameplay. So addicting.
  29. Topokki
    Jan 19, 2020
    4
    The most lacking Pokemon game I've ever played.

    The story is just weak, the G-max feature is a time consuming joke, battles are not at all innovative and feel like a chore. Animations are acceptable for a console like the 3DS, but again, very lacking when compared to gems like Super Mario Odyssey and Zelda Breath of the Wild. The game is far too easy and do not require you to think    The most lacking Pokemon game I've ever played.

    The story is just weak, the G-max feature is a time consuming joke, battles are not at all innovative and feel like a chore. Animations are acceptable for a console like the 3DS, but again, very lacking when compared to gems like Super Mario Odyssey and Zelda Breath of the Wild.

    The game is far too easy and do not require you to think on a strategy to beat any opponent at all. Just spam your most super effective move all the game through and you will beat it.

    I profoundly regret pre-purchasing it, even worse, I got the double pack version to play with my girlfriend. Playing together is another joke. There are lags of 10 seconds or more CONSTANTLY, not to mention that ... well, there is nothing to do when playing together side-by-side.

    If the game was $30 and from an indie developer, I would say it was worth the price, but instead, you pay full price for half the game. And now there's even a paid DLC coming out, and the DLC alone costs what the full game should cost: $30.

    Worst purchase of 2019 confirmed.

    If you plan on buying it anyway, I recommend you pick the physical version as you can sell it later.
    For me, I'll have the game stuck in my library forever to remind me to don't let hype overcome reason.    … Expand
  30. bondmaster
    Nov 15, 2019
    9
    The style is great, I love the new Pokémon, and the story is really good. I think they’ve introduced a lot of cool new concepts to fill in some of the gaps of what was excluded. All around this game is really good, and will inspire a new generation of Pokémon lovers, like my son. Having played Red version when it first came out, to now watching my 5 year old play his first with Sword, IThe style is great, I love the new Pokémon, and the story is really good. I think they’ve introduced a lot of cool new concepts to fill in some of the gaps of what was excluded. All around this game is really good, and will inspire a new generation of Pokémon lovers, like my son. Having played Red version when it first came out, to now watching my 5 year old play his first with Sword, I love it!… 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 »