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. Reviewk
    Nov 25, 2019
    3
    The game lacks the content that a home console release should have and details Game Freak's incompetence in excessive detail. Whether it be the barren wild area and its robotic pokemon that don't interact with their environment, or the short main game that insults your intelligence by holding your hand the whole way through. This game just goes to show that Game Freak doesn't understandThe game lacks the content that a home console release should have and details Game Freak's incompetence in excessive detail. Whether it be the barren wild area and its robotic pokemon that don't interact with their environment, or the short main game that insults your intelligence by holding your hand the whole way through. This game just goes to show that Game Freak doesn't understand what the fanbase wants in a pokemon game, because this certainly isn't it.… Expand
  2. maxspin
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    I bought Shield but I'll repost my review here, since they are basically the same games.

    I have just played this game for 5 hours and all I can say is that the rumors were right. Graphics are lackluster (to not say bad) for a Switch game, animations are not detailed like Nintendo promised, routes are boring and most are just straight lines, national dex is nowhere to be seen (I was    I bought Shield but I'll repost my review here, since they are basically the same games.

    I have just played this game for 5 hours and all I can say is that the rumors were right. Graphics are lackluster (to not say bad) for a Switch game, animations are not detailed like Nintendo promised, routes are boring and most are just straight lines, national dex is nowhere to be seen (I was expecting this but whatever), and tons of other small issues that end up causing a snowball effect. I really did expect it to be a bit better, but as a long time fan, I'm just disappointed.    … Expand
  3. Gibus_Mann
    Nov 18, 2019
    5
    The Good:
    - Some move animations are well done, such as Brave Bird, Boom Burst, and all G-max moves
    - The Wild Area gives a feeling of adventure and challenge - The human models look well done and there is a significant amount of customization for the player model The Meh - The majority of the new Pokemon designs don't seem very 'Pokemon-like' - Most of the music doesn't have the    The Good:
    - Some move animations are well done, such as Brave Bird, Boom Burst, and all G-max moves
    - The Wild Area gives a feeling of adventure and challenge
    - The human models look well done and there is a significant amount of customization for the player model

    The Meh
    - The majority of the new Pokemon designs don't seem very 'Pokemon-like'
    - Most of the music doesn't have the same memorable feel like prior Pokemon games
    - There is little, to no, improvement in Pokemon animations for Gen 1-7 Pokemon

    The Bad
    - There is no National Dex
    - The story, and some parts of the game, seem rushed and incomplete
    - The post-game is weak or non-existent

    Conclusion:
    Despite some improvements, overall, Pokemon Sword and Shield failed to live up to the expectations of a mainline game on the Nintendo Switch. If it were a 3DS game, it would be considered an improvement over the main lines series. But because it is on the Switch, it will be compared with, arguably unfairly, with other Nintendo titles such as Zelda: BOTW and Mario Odyssey. In that comparison, it simply falls flat.    … Expand
  4. ShinyOtter
    Nov 18, 2019
    1
    For being the first games on the Switch, they're complete and utter disappointments. I bought this game thinking like the previous gen it would be a wonderful and incredible experience, but the game feels so hollow and lifeless compared to Generation 7. Your rival interrupts you every time something meaningful happens in the game, the animations are buggy and just clip onto your screenFor being the first games on the Switch, they're complete and utter disappointments. I bought this game thinking like the previous gen it would be a wonderful and incredible experience, but the game feels so hollow and lifeless compared to Generation 7. Your rival interrupts you every time something meaningful happens in the game, the animations are buggy and just clip onto your screen like they were teleported into existence (such as when interacting with a Gyarados in a lake and how it goes right through your trainer model), and worst of all, the lack of Pokemon makes for a boring and uninteresting journey. I missed a lot of my favorites and the new designs just didn't appeal to me.

    GF said this would appeal to longtime fans but as someone who's played it since Ruby and Sapphire I have to say this felt like more of a spinoff or a fangame than an actual new generation of Pokemon, and they cut out a lot of the things that made it enjoyable, the Pokemon themselves. The online is now a paid subscription and the GTS has been removed, so you can't trade with strangers for starters or other Pokemon to complete your National Dex unless you have friends and can trade locally.

    I hope GF can improve these games because I really wanted to see them succeed, but as they are right now I don't want to spend $60 just for one or two designs I enjoy in exchange for sacrificing the beloved Pokemon I've come to know and train over the years.    … Expand
  5. GSC_Dusk
    Nov 18, 2019
    4
    Pokemon Sword and Shield feel more like a 3DS game than a Switch game. There's a few decent improvements, from being able to access the PC anywhere, to having a huge "Wild Area" that feels like what a route in Pokemon should have always been. But comparing Sword and Shield to other Switch games, the graphics and music are clearly below average. The removal of the EXP Share's toggle rendersPokemon Sword and Shield feel more like a 3DS game than a Switch game. There's a few decent improvements, from being able to access the PC anywhere, to having a huge "Wild Area" that feels like what a route in Pokemon should have always been. But comparing Sword and Shield to other Switch games, the graphics and music are clearly below average. The removal of the EXP Share's toggle renders the game hilariously impossible to fail, while arbitrary catching level limits in certain areas make the game frustrating in a bad way. Most of the NPCs are unnecessarily shallow (not you Marnie, you're awesome… Expand
  6. LoneBro
    Nov 18, 2019
    2
    Even by Pokemon standards this game is extremely mediocre. After I started playing I was pleasantly surprised... for about the first two hours. There are some interesting environments and I do like how it has been made easier to get into the competitive scene, but the game's flaws catch up to it really quickly. By the time I got to the first gym I was already bored. Almost no thought isEven by Pokemon standards this game is extremely mediocre. After I started playing I was pleasantly surprised... for about the first two hours. There are some interesting environments and I do like how it has been made easier to get into the competitive scene, but the game's flaws catch up to it really quickly. By the time I got to the first gym I was already bored. Almost no thought is required in building a ream. Regardless of what Pokemon you are using the forced experience share keeps you so overlevelled you will almost never run into a real challenge. The two main gimmicks this time around are extremely underwhelming. The wild area is cool at first, but after about 20 minutes you realize you have seen it all and really have no reason to go back except to fill out the pokedex and farm items. For such a large selling point of the game I expected much more to do. Dyna/gigantamaxing are just a lackluster gimmick. I am a little more than halfway through the game and have almost never found a need to dynamax. I did it once just to try it out, but after that I just predicted the dynamax and wiped the floor with them thanks to type advantages. There are a few new additions/improvements, but the things we lost in return far outweigh anything we gained from this entry to the series. Pokemon Sword and Shield are a tragic waste of potential in the jump from 3DS to Nintendo Switch. Other Switch games have proved time and time again what the Switch is truly capable of, and these games don't even come close to the bar. Coming from the highest-grossing intellectual property on the planet we should have received a lot more than we did. A clear attempt to bank off the Pokemon namesake and definitely NOT worth the $60 price point.… Expand
  7. Visaith31
    Nov 18, 2019
    2
    While the core game is average they cut too many corners and lied about it. They know they have a monopoly and it shows.
  8. Knuckdafaq
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    Animations are bad. The dynamax and gigantimax is stupid since they can only be using on raids and gym battles. They missed to opportunity to add the z moves and mega evolutions. Hop is basically a Hau clone with the same animations. The trees’ texture look as if they belong to a Nintendo 64 game. Especially cutting certain Pokémon out for “better” animations. I really love the series butAnimations are bad. The dynamax and gigantimax is stupid since they can only be using on raids and gym battles. They missed to opportunity to add the z moves and mega evolutions. Hop is basically a Hau clone with the same animations. The trees’ texture look as if they belong to a Nintendo 64 game. Especially cutting certain Pokémon out for “better” animations. I really love the series but GameFreak messed up real hard.… Expand
  9. sonikah
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    For a $20 price increase from previous games, you would expect more features to be added. Instead, far more content was removed from previous games than actually added in this one. The supposed reason for the cut content and price increase was the increase in graphics quality, but the game runs poorly and the animations are limited. Online services are locked behind Nintendo Online'sFor a $20 price increase from previous games, you would expect more features to be added. Instead, far more content was removed from previous games than actually added in this one. The supposed reason for the cut content and price increase was the increase in graphics quality, but the game runs poorly and the animations are limited. Online services are locked behind Nintendo Online's paywall. You can't bring over all of your Pokemon from previous games, and you have to pay for another service to import the few that were included.… Expand
  10. Sweetpair
    Nov 19, 2019
    0
    This is a disaster! All content is cuted away! No Pokemon from previous gens! No National pokedex! It' terrible!
  11. Insejnar
    Nov 19, 2019
    2
    Where do i begin... I was really hopeful for these games thinking how cool it would be to play a mainline pokémon game on a console and how it will look way better, It didn’t look better. Framerate dropping during cutscenes and battles felt reasonable on the 3ds sun and moon era but now it baffles me how the games can look so cheap with such terrible animations when walking or when usingWhere do i begin... I was really hopeful for these games thinking how cool it would be to play a mainline pokémon game on a console and how it will look way better, It didn’t look better. Framerate dropping during cutscenes and battles felt reasonable on the 3ds sun and moon era but now it baffles me how the games can look so cheap with such terrible animations when walking or when using some attacks. This could’ve been amazing but gamefreak messed it up. Still no character customisation apart from choosing skin colour and clothes/hair. I was really hyped to get a mantle like leon but that seems impossible.

    And then we get to the pokemon and the ones they chose to bring over. When they announced the end of national dex i said fine, they will be able to pick the right pokemon from each generation. But now that I’ve played through both games it feels like a huge troll. I saw maractus, throh and sawk, diggersby, pelliper, vanillite line, delibird, baltoy, seismitoad, BASCULIN!?, barbaracle, elgyem and beheeyem, shiinotic and just dumb **** Sure there’s some good choices like machamp, lucario, gyarados and excadrill but overall it’s a huge disappointment. Also charizard gets sucked off again and i hear people are not happy about that. It has some good ideas like the wild area and dynamaxing but it feels tedious that the Gigantamax form raids are Impossible to find if you aren’t the luckiest person alive. The online raidsystem does not work it’s impossible to get into a good raid and if you are connected online while in the wild area the game starts lagging and people and pokemon can appear out of the blue because the game’s rushed.

    It feels bad to say that the franchise I’ve always loved and respected has let me down so much.
    2/10    … Expand
  12. sojasonk
    Nov 20, 2019
    1
    Lazy writing, bad graphics, an absolute mediocre and underwhelming introduction to Mainline Games for the Nintendo Switch. GameFreak has done the community a disservice by removing integral parts to long time loyal fans such as the National Dex. They do this because they feel they can get away with coasting simply on the name of Pokemon alone
  13. YungProto
    Nov 20, 2019
    0
    Feels like EA made this title. Unfinished game. They cut over half the roster to focus on other stuff to improve but There is nothing but lags and framedrops everywhere from wildarea to dynamaxing . Upscaled 3DS title in my opinion. First big pokemon titles on the powerful hardware and they failed miserably. Almost non existant post game battle tower has less features than the one fromFeels like EA made this title. Unfinished game. They cut over half the roster to focus on other stuff to improve but There is nothing but lags and framedrops everywhere from wildarea to dynamaxing . Upscaled 3DS title in my opinion. First big pokemon titles on the powerful hardware and they failed miserably. Almost non existant post game battle tower has less features than the one from ruby and sapphire wtf GF. 10/10 cashgrab.… Expand
  14. sakurai
    Nov 21, 2019
    6
    The game is fairly mediocre in all regards. The music stands out as pretty good and is the only outlier. Besides that, this feels like the most stripped down the series has ever gotten, and that's after the infamously bare bones Let's Go games. Yikes.
  15. snooter
    Nov 22, 2019
    1
    reused models trash animation trash story trash dex and even same trash balance in rating battle. they said they remove lots of pokemons for balance and now that was completely lie at this point. nerf mimikyu again thanks game freak
  16. Nathanga
    Nov 24, 2019
    5
    Out of all the mainline Pokemon games I've played Sword in particular was a chore to complete. I enjoyed my first 10 or so hours with the game, given that the core pokemon gameplay loop is still fun and intact. However I noticed overtime that the game kept getting more and more boring for a number of reasons, such as the dull story/characters and very easy difficulty. I appreciate theOut of all the mainline Pokemon games I've played Sword in particular was a chore to complete. I enjoyed my first 10 or so hours with the game, given that the core pokemon gameplay loop is still fun and intact. However I noticed overtime that the game kept getting more and more boring for a number of reasons, such as the dull story/characters and very easy difficulty. I appreciate the graphical improvement Gamefreak has given us here but it is negated by the cuts to the National Dex and the simplicity of the game.

    Simply put i expected more from a $80 Pokemon game and am disapointed with my purchase.    … Expand
  17. shimaoaishimiao
    Nov 25, 2019
    0
    Dear Masuda,well done,what the job you did was fascinating!
    Especially the Dexit job,however,that's an absolutely great job! Let me see, which Pokemon were culled by your great job? Okay I found Mew-two was out, why is him(maybe her)? maybe this model was too hard to handle, Am I right? So, go hell, damn it!
    Love from China.
  18. pokepals
    Nov 25, 2019
    0
    Honestly, this game feels incomplete. GF took half of the pokemon out of the game and there is no way they could be obtained. Not only that but, they recycled animations, which they claimed that they'd be recreating from scratch. The quality of the game is meant for a 3ds, not a Nintendo switch, Save your money people, because this game was purposefully rushed for Christmas time. Very VERYHonestly, this game feels incomplete. GF took half of the pokemon out of the game and there is no way they could be obtained. Not only that but, they recycled animations, which they claimed that they'd be recreating from scratch. The quality of the game is meant for a 3ds, not a Nintendo switch, Save your money people, because this game was purposefully rushed for Christmas time. Very VERY disappointed.… Expand
  19. Rcav
    Nov 25, 2019
    3
    While the game isn't that bad and in general quite enjoyable, it also carries over a lot of problems from last games and doesn't live up to the expectations set for a home console Pokemon game. The ganeplay is too easy, story is uninteresting, graphics aren't as great as other switch games and the wild area is overall underwhelming. Not to mention the vast amount of Pokemon that got cutWhile the game isn't that bad and in general quite enjoyable, it also carries over a lot of problems from last games and doesn't live up to the expectations set for a home console Pokemon game. The ganeplay is too easy, story is uninteresting, graphics aren't as great as other switch games and the wild area is overall underwhelming. Not to mention the vast amount of Pokemon that got cut due to the game being rushed. The Pokemon games have a lot of potential but sadly most of it is wasted since GF likes to stick to their formula. Therefore, I can't and don't want to give this game a high rating.… Expand
  20. newet
    Nov 25, 2019
    0
    The story was horrible and you don't really feel like a hero in it - just some random.
  21. Zerobillion
    Nov 25, 2019
    3
    Horrendous graphical issues, extreme lack of content with no post game and base game beatable in under 20 hours. Story is nonexistent, basically comes down to "oh no stuff is happening, don't worry kids the adults will take care of it" and then that's it, nothing else happens. Wild area is a joke, it isn't the amazing over world experience they tried to make it sound like it is.
  22. Fish2405
    Dec 20, 2019
    0
    Too short a process. Boring plot. There was only time to burun. Let me down to the end of the pokemon series
  23. Martin998
    Nov 26, 2019
    5
    Cut corners and a rushed/unfinished game. It was still somewhat fun but not anywhere near worth $60. Post game is laughable and having only 2 legendarys you could catch with the version you bought is god awful. No dungeons or much of anything to explore in the game. The wild area could've been great and it feels empty even with all the pokemon there. Textures, animation and models are allCut corners and a rushed/unfinished game. It was still somewhat fun but not anywhere near worth $60. Post game is laughable and having only 2 legendarys you could catch with the version you bought is god awful. No dungeons or much of anything to explore in the game. The wild area could've been great and it feels empty even with all the pokemon there. Textures, animation and models are all lazy and terrible.… Expand
  24. BIGDATALOVE
    Nov 28, 2019
    0
    unfinished. After the main story which is done very quickly the only thing left is the boring postgame. Not worth the buy. Let Game-freak burn so they finally stop releasing uncompleted trash and stop scamming their community.
  25. Mateorock
    Nov 28, 2019
    3
    Just more of the same. Entretaining but not exciting. Sadly it feels rush, they should add some things to the pokemon saga in adition to keep old stuff like mega evolutions.
  26. henriwb
    Nov 28, 2019
    0
    For the first time in my life will be skipping a pokemon game gen.
    Sun/Moon left a bitter taste and that proves how Game Freak/Pokemon Company only cares about money.
    Even if I had no money when X/Y was released I bought a 3DS to play it. Now, I'm not helping this mess of a game anymore. This is a 3DS game that was ported and rushed to sell. No excuses can be made.
  27. OldOpossum59251
    Dec 2, 2019
    0
    Let me play the game. I bought it to play and not sit through hours worth of forced text and scenes. Plus the render distance for Pokemon and npc's doesn't make sense -.- They screwed up such a good franchise with this one
  28. pseudo_gamer
    Dec 8, 2019
    4
    Its so obvious they rushed the game for the release date. There is nothing really new, its all the same! Its ok i guess, but mostly is just boring. I feel like they could have done SO much more with the Switch its hardly any better than a DS game.
  29. AllenF
    Dec 13, 2019
    0
    Nothing more that I can add. It's a downgrade and is several steps backward in many ways. Empty buildings, terrible online functionality, easy difficulty even for a Pokemon game, no HA hunting outside of max raids, Gigantamax/Dynamax is just Z move x3 turns with Uber HP, the wild is vast and boring after the initial viewing, there is 0 endgame outside of boring and impossible-to-soloNothing more that I can add. It's a downgrade and is several steps backward in many ways. Empty buildings, terrible online functionality, easy difficulty even for a Pokemon game, no HA hunting outside of max raids, Gigantamax/Dynamax is just Z move x3 turns with Uber HP, the wild is vast and boring after the initial viewing, there is 0 endgame outside of boring and impossible-to-solo raids, berry farming sucks and is all random. Nothing to love about this game. If it were the first in a Pokemon series, it would be an OK game at best. This half-baked game is shameful. Here's to hoping for gen 9. This hurts me so much as someone who grew up with Pokemon… Expand
  30. Ayresbrun
    Dec 11, 2019
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Game seems unfinished in a lot of aspects.
    It is the worst pkm game i ever played. I have all of them and this is the only one i stopped at 35 hours of gameplay. Can’t even bring myself to take online battles in this format. My pkm are staying in USUM.

    Pros:
    - a lot of character customization
    - good menus
    - pkm league with random trainers
    - the stadium vibration in battles is awesome. U feel like it is a match to watch.
    - wild pkm on screen
    - internet connection similar to PSS

    Cons:
    - only 10 routes
    - wild area is a mashup of areas that don’t fit together
    - supersized pkm feels like a flawed gimmick near z moves and mega evos.
    - the games takes nearly 15 - 20 hours to finish
    - no post game content. I mean, not a thing... the battle tower is garbage.
    - exp share turned on forever makes your party overleveled entire game (the champion was 7 lvls below my pkm without grind).
    - graphics glitches in matches
    - poor visuals in a lot of cities, itens and cutscenes
    - Removal of GTS. U can’t post what pkm u want on the internet
    - U can’t catch pokemon above your badge lvl. So if u see a pkm u want but its overleveled, come back other time.
    - Mediocre legendaries
    - Mediocre story
    - More cutscenes than Sun and Moon
    - a rival as annoying as Hau
    - Kanto pandering. (Charizard lover here, but even i think it needs to stop)    … 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 »