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. huskyandsushi
    Nov 16, 2019
    2
    I'll be honest the game makes too much money to get this kind of low production value. Music should be orchestrated, not 2002 midi instruments, performance should be polished, the wild area struggles to run. And animations should be fluid, like not having Trainers and Pokémon turn left and right like military tanks. And of course, I'm going to say it. It's a Pokémon game, it should haveI'll be honest the game makes too much money to get this kind of low production value. Music should be orchestrated, not 2002 midi instruments, performance should be polished, the wild area struggles to run. And animations should be fluid, like not having Trainers and Pokémon turn left and right like military tanks. And of course, I'm going to say it. It's a Pokémon game, it should have all the Pokémon in it. It's very obvious they limited the Pokédex only to create a necessity for people to buy subscriptions to Pokémon Home. It's just a cash grab. People are putting Pokémon that weren't suppose to work into the game like old starters and legendaries- and surprise, they just work. It baffles my mind that the Pokémon that they chose to remove even contained starters let alone fan favorites. I think the worst out of all of this is how the company chooses to not talk about it or address concerns, it just says "we don't care about our customers" and I can't trust a company that acts like that.… Expand
  2. Mi4_Slayer
    Nov 16, 2019
    4
    Painfully mediocre and lazy. The final battle was a joke. Hop is annoying. The champions theme is garbage. The game is way too easy. While it's still pokemon and you can fin enjoyment out if this. You expect more from the top grossing media franchises in the world that made the jump into console. I feel like they've just bee. Exposes in terms of skills and efforts
  3. CL4P-TP
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    Too easy, Pokémon missing with no sign of coming back, next to no post game content. That's already really really bad. Dynamax is boring and Mega Evolution and Z Moves which were great are probably gone forever too.

    Last AND least the graphics are a catastrophe. Battle backgrounds are pretty much the same with no variety based on your location, many Pokemon have the same models as on    Too easy, Pokémon missing with no sign of coming back, next to no post game content. That's already really really bad. Dynamax is boring and Mega Evolution and Z Moves which were great are probably gone forever too.

    Last AND least the graphics are a catastrophe. Battle backgrounds are pretty much the same with no variety based on your location, many Pokemon have the same models as on the 3ds (sometimes with some polygons added) and attack animations weren't improved on at all. This makes me wonder why so many Pokemon were cut to begin with if they basically reskinned the last games.

    TERRIBLE, I'm a Pokemon fan for most of my life (since I'm 7 and now I'm 21) and these games are an utter disappointment.    … Expand
  4. njalsumam
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    I love the design, that is the only think I like. Yet, I still cannot give more than 0. Sorry GameFreak/Nintendo. What you miss is pokemon game was released in 1996 and mostly fans are still loyal. Those babies in 1996 who loved pokemon are now grown up! Yet your game’s plot is like tutoring babies? Like blocking road, unrealistic reason because sheeps pokemon is having conversation orI love the design, that is the only think I like. Yet, I still cannot give more than 0. Sorry GameFreak/Nintendo. What you miss is pokemon game was released in 1996 and mostly fans are still loyal. Those babies in 1996 who loved pokemon are now grown up! Yet your game’s plot is like tutoring babies? Like blocking road, unrealistic reason because sheeps pokemon is having conversation or whatever. Why? Further, when it is realesed, the newest pokemons are just absurd in design. Too strange. I can still forgive garbodor, but this? Well. Apple is now a pokemon? Lol. More and more. Even the starters are too ‘excessive’. Last but not least, it is ‘K’ if you overused pikachu since it is your mascot. But Charizard over and over again? Meh. Sorry, the design is good but the game is not creative at all. Good luck fishing newbies to like and play, old player like me is having enough. Bye.… Expand
  5. sharpfodxxxxxxx
    Nov 15, 2019
    2
    Animations are useless, models are in the game. Billion dollar franchise and a game theyve been working on for so long. Replace gamefreak.
  6. Tomcat8
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    A disaster, pokemon just died!
    Even let's go, which was a medium game, had undeniable qualities (nothing but the catching interaction was excellent, it's something that should have stayed on this game)
    The 800 Pokemon are not available supposedly because to redo the sprites for the switch is too long while we have the proof that they have reused the sprites of pokemon Ultra Sun and    A disaster, pokemon just died!
    Even let's go, which was a medium game, had undeniable qualities (nothing but the catching interaction was excellent, it's something that should have stayed on this game)

    The 800 Pokemon are not available supposedly because to redo the sprites for the switch is too long while we have the proof that they have reused the sprites of pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

    Non-existent combat animations, knowing that stadium versions on N64 had animations

    Gigamax combat which is a useless feature, ugly graphics with violent aliasing and catastrophic FPS drops!
    Knowing that the console manages to turn The Witcher 3 correctly
    Besides, the open world is empty and uninteresting!

    Sell ​​50 balls a **** alike, a nice scam for a game that is a half porting 3DS games !    … Expand
  7. Tseppelin
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    The worst Pokemon game ever... Worst Pokemon and worst content, Also so much cutted off
  8. DreadPirateGill
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    I wish I could rate it higher. I bought this game last night and have already beaten it.
  9. ILovePokem0n
    Nov 15, 2019
    2
    So, for starters, I have played the game. Second of all, I'm a huge fan of this beautiful franchise ever since I first got into the series.
    That said, I have huge issues with these games. I'll list them:
    > The map is small and devoid of any meaningful content. Even compared to prior games like USUM or even XY, the map is with only ten routes and not a single real dungeon quite    So, for starters, I have played the game. Second of all, I'm a huge fan of this beautiful franchise ever since I first got into the series.
    That said, I have huge issues with these games. I'll list them:
    > The map is small and devoid of any meaningful content. Even compared to prior games like USUM or even XY, the map is with only ten routes and not a single real dungeon quite underwhelming and the hyped Wild Area is indeed almost embarrassing. The lack of any dungeon or anything to explore in this region is just sad.
    >The Wild area. It is just... so empty. Not much to do, not much to see, and those few structures that are scattered around have no or only little available interactions with the player. This is also the part of the game that looks quite awful with weird textures that could have been directly imported from Colosseum or even Stadium and some weird shaders like on the water textures where Pokémon barely look natural.
    >The plot. I see that GF at least tried to present us a villain that actually has some comprehensible intentions and motives, but the execution was a clear downgrade compared to the last four generations. Instead of building the story up with dialogues or battles, the game follows a simple 'From-A-to-B' scheme and in the end, only shoehorned the villain in. It's just sad because I actually liked the villain, but he was clearly 'dumbed' down a little bit to make it clear that he is evil. The intrusive and distracting interactions with the champ, your rival and Sonia didn't help the plot to become better.
    > The post-game. It's not existing. Seriously. After the short main quest, you only get to catch the cover legendary and an inferior version of previous battle towers. You could also do some raid battles and some rematches, but that's it. There is no new post-game route or city to visit, there is no expansive battle facility to explore, and overall, just feels bland and uninspired and a clear step back from previous games.
    > The difficulty. Like so many things of these games what you could and should expect from a game released on a home console, it is missing, the forced XP share isn't helping. Even without any raid battles, such as I did, you're usually at least two or three levels above your next gym leader and the NPCs don't use any tactics. There was only one battle where I had to seriously think about what to do next (Raihan), but overall, it's toddlers-levels of difficulty, just insulting even to children or young teens. USUM, even though also criticized for its lacking difficulty, at least had some difficult battles against Necrozma, the totems, Lusamine and the champ. So it's nothing that you can't expect from Pokémon.
    > Last but not least, the unjustified Dexcut. The game was already lacking so many things, and they've doubled-down on it by cutting out more than half of the Pokémon and some one hundred moves. They've tried to explain it with the hard work of upgrading to the animations and the models and while the former I'll mention later, the latter wasn't true and thus a lie told by GF to justify an unjustifiable offense against the very core of Pokémon: collecting.
    But there was also some good stuff!
    >The competitive scene has become more accessible and refreshing with some much-needed QoL improvements like nature mints.
    >Some of the animations look beautiful, although most of them have to fight with the bad quality of most textures used in the game.
    > It's still a mainline Pokémon game, it's very core is still fun, at least at the beginning.

    Overall, sadly, one of the worst and most controversial entries of the series, after my honest experience. The good and bad sides of the games must be honestly discussed without any toxicity or harassment of either side, and I hope GF will for once listen to its consumer base. There are other, far better games out there for the Switch, and they should be used as a Christmas present for children or those who stayed a child inside. But not this one, the negatives far outweigh the positives, and with honest corporate reviews gone, I tried my best to showcase the good and the bad of the game.    … Expand
  10. FirstMx
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    Inadmissible en 2019 un véritable scandale. GameFreak Se fout de la gueule des consommateurs en proposant la version la plus feignante jamais existé dans un jeu vidéo à succès qui n’est plus que l’ombre de lui-même
  11. limefroge
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    Lazy cashgrab garbage with no redeeming factors. It's objectively inferior to any game on the franchise released since Platinum and that's unacceptable for a HD high budget game.
  12. Hours
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    They cut about 400 pokemon for absolutely no reason. They first claim it's for the animations then we see the animations and they're bad. Then they claim it's because they had to make models from scratch then that's debunked. And now they just do the shrugging tom meme as to why the game is so horribly bad.
  13. BigHonDaNet
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    As a long time Pokemon fan I feel incredibly disappointed in this game and the Pokemon franchise as a whole. It’s becoming clear to me now that Gamefreak simply does not care about us, the fans any longer, just our wallets. These Pokemon games are just a quick, lazy attempt at a cash grab rather than the game long time Pokemon fans were promised. We’ve been disappointed with Pokemon gamesAs a long time Pokemon fan I feel incredibly disappointed in this game and the Pokemon franchise as a whole. It’s becoming clear to me now that Gamefreak simply does not care about us, the fans any longer, just our wallets. These Pokemon games are just a quick, lazy attempt at a cash grab rather than the game long time Pokemon fans were promised. We’ve been disappointed with Pokemon games coming out year on year now but never enough to speak up, however that’s all changed this time round with the absolute slap in the face that is sword and shield. Gamefreak have not only given us a half baked, unfinished game that feels like it’s from 2004 but they even tried pulling the rug over our eyes and lying about why the games were lacking in some rather big features. The graphics are terrible, animations and models are reused from previous games, npcs are just copied and pasted throughout the incredibly bland and boring overworld and half the time the background of the battle scene isn’t even appropriate for where you actually are. With all of these problems I find it disgusting that Pokemon have the audacity to charge over $60 for these games and what’s worse, don’t even have the courage to acknowledge all the criticism and admit their wrongdoings. This is simply unacceptable.… Expand
  14. ER_Scorpion
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    I'm a HUGE fan of the Pokémon series, have been playing since Platinum and went through all the generations. But what Game Freak did to this game is unforgivable. Cutting half of the National Dex in order to provide poor and extremely simple animations and graphics is something Pokémon players wont forget.
  15. CrunchyShadow
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    Do not buy this game. GameFreak misled and took advantage of the fanbase. This game, along with its counterpart Pokémon Shield, are little more than upscaled 3DS games. Models for many Pokémon are confirmed to be identical to those in Sun/Moon. The animations are garbage. The environments are barren. The fans deserve better.
  16. Gevlyn
    Nov 15, 2019
    2
    This is no longer Pokemon at it's core. The brain dead easiness of these games combined with bugs and graphical disasters left and right are insulting. From a 20+ year fan and current competitive player, this has been the biggest disappointment in my gaming career. We deserve better.
  17. Sabor1337
    Nov 15, 2019
    3
    1. Over 60% of the Pokemon were removed, that means this game has fewer pokemon than Diamond and Pearl which were released in 2007
    2. 144 moves have been removed for no apparent reason
    3. The textures are low resolution comparable to that of a PS2 game, and this game is supposed to be competing with games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 4. The    1. Over 60% of the Pokemon were removed, that means this game has fewer pokemon than Diamond and Pearl which were released in 2007
    2. 144 moves have been removed for no apparent reason
    3. The textures are low resolution comparable to that of a PS2 game, and this game is supposed to be competing with games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
    4. The draw distance is very short, you can only see pokemon, characters and objects in your vicinity, if you look out over the wild area you will only see empty fields devoid of life
    5. All Mega evolutions have been removed
    6. All Z-Moves have been removed
    7. The post-game is just battling dynamax pokemon and a battle tower, but this battle tower has fewer modes than all its previous iterations
    8. The GTS was removed
    9. The entire world around you freezes in time when interacting with certain items such as a ladder
    10. Pokemon Sword and Shield cost 50% more than its predecessors

    Not recommended    … Expand
  18. McCreeSun
    Nov 15, 2019
    2
    After 20 hours of playtime my review is a resounding “meh”.

    The game is alright. That’s all. Not the world ending calamity we all thought it would be. I have the same good things to say as everyone else and I have the same bad things to say about everyone else. So I’m not going to bore you with the same old. The problem I have though is “meh” is not good enough for a Pokémon game. Full    After 20 hours of playtime my review is a resounding “meh”.

    The game is alright. That’s all. Not the world ending calamity we all thought it would be. I have the same good things to say as everyone else and I have the same bad things to say about everyone else. So I’m not going to bore you with the same old. The problem I have though is “meh” is not good enough for a Pokémon game. Full stop. We’re talking about a $90 billion franchise here, not some indie studio’s passion project. If this were some no name studio I’d say it was a solid game, probably still not deserving of the high 9s and 4s we’ve seen on review sites, but still an attempt was made.

    But the fact remains that the game is still clearly unfinished. The team wasn’t allowed to iron out the wrinkles to fit holiday release and it shows in the worst way. But I digress. The one complaint I do have that I haven’t seen come trough the network is the convoluted ways some Pokémon evolve. It seems entirely inaccessible to the casual audience they’re clearly pandering to. That’s just a very specific nitpick however.

    tl;dr: SwSh is a good video game, a terrible Pokémon game.    … Expand
  19. jonathan-a
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    The game is fun because the pokemon formula is inherently fun. That being said the games lacks any improvements and in some departments is worst than older installments of the series. That plus the fact its 50% more expensive makes for a very mediocre experience.
  20. Gravoid
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    So much wasted potential. I'm really sad about the future of the game. It's worst then the handheld games.
  21. sweetbrown
    Nov 15, 2019
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So, I always saturate myself in spoilers before I get a game. The thrill of surprise is once & done and cheap, at best. A full purchase digital download on launch day is forever.

    The controversy surrounding these games isn’t undue and will be a massive **** for actual consumers and the rabid fan base.

    I’m so glad that I’ve watched all the streams of early leakers. I’m so glad that I’ve gotten the game 2 days early (Tue night in PST America.)

    I’ve been playing Sword (specifically this version) nonstop. And it starts out charming, but becomes increasingly disappointing as the game goes on and the new game luster wears off. It becomes disappointing and empty. But the background animations and many cutscenes are actually done quite well, so I have to give it that.

    The massive dex changes, the loss of GTS, the removal of many other features is absolutely unforgivable, this generation. There is no good excuse for severely limiting a region as part of “policy change,” for any other reason than pure developer laziness AND / OR parent company pressure & greed.

    Story completed as of this morning. You can skip this one. The mons are cool, and there’s something found for most people, but with a lack of endgame, dexit cutting out most of the mons from previous generations, there is only one redemption: making a Third Version which DOES allow all previous mons to battle in it, PLUS a discount for anyone who has a cartridge or digital purchase. If they simply add back all the features they removed, their rabid fans will sing praise and forget that it happened, at all.

    But until then, GF & TPCI owe their fans — their consumers, a severe apology.    … Expand
  22. AvalonBunny
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    A behemoth of a franchise given the Indie treatment by their developer. Easier than ever, no endgame content, no real story, or challenge... Just buy used.
  23. Ralet
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    Worst pokemon ever. No full pokemon transfer. No online global pokemon trade. Short and boring story. Has the worst graphic as a switch game.
  24. SSZ
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    Not the best Pokemon games out there, several features such as the national dex have been removed, the game is extremely easy and short and there are some things in this game that no one really asked for like the exp share being on at all times. Hopefully the next games are good though.
  25. Sylhfer
    Nov 15, 2019
    2
    I was a bit disappointed when they announced the Pokedex cut of over half the Pokemon for improved graphics and better animations. But even that was a lie by Game Freak to save themselves from launching a game riddled with bugs and otherwise unfinished product. This game will go down in history as the worst they've produced and the backlash of the fans is justly deserved.
  26. Pomiculteur
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    I was already a bit disappointed by the removed feature, but now the game f*cked up my micro SD card.
  27. mariofenix
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    The series I once loved is now ran by people who think they can lie to the fans. MORE THAN HALF of the National Pokedex was cut in order to "make the models from scratch" and work on "high quality animations", but the datamine exposed GameFreak's lies because models and animations are reused from the 3DS games.
  28. Lorek
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Horrible graphics, gameplay is too easy, no dex national. If someone thinks this game is fun, that person might be an iddiot.… Expand
  29. fenix19851234
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    Pokemon Sword (and by extension, Shield) is the newest mainline entry in the Pokémon franchise. The first console mainline pokemon game on a console, expectations are high and rightly so but does the game deliver? Simply: No, it doesn't.

    You are transported into the colourful world of Galar, brimming with new Pokemon and offering a challenge much familiar to any seasoned pokemon trainer    Pokemon Sword (and by extension, Shield) is the newest mainline entry in the Pokémon franchise. The first console mainline pokemon game on a console, expectations are high and rightly so but does the game deliver? Simply: No, it doesn't.

    You are transported into the colourful world of Galar, brimming with new Pokemon and offering a challenge much familiar to any seasoned pokemon trainer to become the most powerful pokemon master of the region. A big part of pokemon charm is its extensive world building which isn't really present in Sword. The large open seeming cities only contain a handful of places you can explore with buildings and areas deceptively giving the appearance of much more. It advertised a wild area, with over world sprites and new Pokemon encounters but for the most part is completely barren with graphical issues and only a limited range of pokemon to catch. Gone is the dream of catching 'em all with over half of the current Pokémon being cut from the series for the first time.

    Stories in pokemon mainline games have never been praised for their brilliant writing but Sword and Shield pales in comparison to even the series' weakest points. The characters archetypes are painfully already overdone with previous games, with the rival being a direct copy in terms of personality and animations to the last. Characters such as Bede and Marnie although seem promising at start, don't really have story development and don't give the time for the player to relate or to grow attached to them. The evil team is also painfully irrelevant with them only appearing at the end briefly and Team Yell being more of an annoying backstop than anything.    … Expand
  30. JirenLaboMX
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    Not all pokémon are in the game
    Ps2 graphics
    Ps1 animation
    Handholding for the intere game
    The game feels rushed for be aveliabe before christmas
  31. Pikiri
    Nov 15, 2019
    2
    If you’re a die hard pokemon fan this is still a pokemon game, but I can’t recommend it otherwise. An unprecedented amount of content was cut and recycled, from missing pokemon to empty routes, towns and more. All of which would be excusable if the game had been polished, but it was seemingly sacrificed for nothing. It seems to be a culmination of all the issues in previous games whileIf you’re a die hard pokemon fan this is still a pokemon game, but I can’t recommend it otherwise. An unprecedented amount of content was cut and recycled, from missing pokemon to empty routes, towns and more. All of which would be excusable if the game had been polished, but it was seemingly sacrificed for nothing. It seems to be a culmination of all the issues in previous games while bringing new ones like an incredibly short run time.… Expand
  32. JeyPapou
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    I've received my copy yesterday, and while I was pretty hyped about the game, the deception hit me hard This Pokemon feels unfinished, unpolished and far from any optimization when we take in account his predecessors It is too short, lackluster in content and barely in the standards of a 2019 game.

    Many reviews give this game a ridiculously bloated score. If you are looking for a true    I've received my copy yesterday, and while I was pretty hyped about the game, the deception hit me hard This Pokemon feels unfinished, unpolished and far from any optimization when we take in account his predecessors It is too short, lackluster in content and barely in the standards of a 2019 game.

    Many reviews give this game a ridiculously bloated score. If you are looking for a true RPG and an innovative game, this is clearly not made for you. The game, as the reviewers love to remind us, is fun at its core because it is a pokemon game, yet it is made so badly, that even that fun wavers after a few hours especially when the empty world feeling and the soulless npcs start showing up. The nostalgia goes also away when you realise that many of your older companions were cut for absolutly no justifiable reasons, and you find yourself with one of the worst pokemon games ever made.    … Expand
  33. Wakarahen
    Nov 15, 2019
    2
    Gamefreak, why you lie?
    I mean, it's obvious that players would discover it was all a big lie, then why getting on the bad side of players?
    This brand need to get back to high quality, this is unacceptable for the company of one of the highest selling game brand.
  34. Reethok
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    This is quite literally the biggest disappointment in the franchise. DO NOT BUY.
  35. jldriver02
    Nov 17, 2019
    3
    The new art direction is bad but that can be forgiven. What can't be forgiven is what GF continues to get away with. Removing good features has been a series staple since HGSS, but removing an ACTUAL series staple like the Pokemon is too far. They have no excuse as every pokemon and their animations have been done and SM on the 3DS had up to 800+. Each cartridge on the switch has up to 32The new art direction is bad but that can be forgiven. What can't be forgiven is what GF continues to get away with. Removing good features has been a series staple since HGSS, but removing an ACTUAL series staple like the Pokemon is too far. They have no excuse as every pokemon and their animations have been done and SM on the 3DS had up to 800+. Each cartridge on the switch has up to 32 GB and SwSh only uses 12-15, so there is no excuse other than pure laziness.
    I would be fine with the NatDex removal if the game had something to offer but that is 100% zilch. Exp. Share makes the game a snoozefest with Cinderace spamming Pyroball. Dynamax/Gigantamax is a joke because I've been able to one-shot just about every gym leader's ace pokemon. The wild area doesn't offer much to the game as its just another way to get pokemon. The 10 routes in the games are all hallways with very limited exploration. The final battle with Eternatus was extremely underwhelming as you can just sit there and the Uber-tier box legends and Hop will just knock it out for you.
    Graphics-wise the game is very unpolished. The wild areas look awful and you can tell they only put development time into the towns which do look pretty nice. The animations of the new pokemon while SLIGHTLY better is not justification for removing features fans have loved and grown accustomed to.
    The story is better than SM which itself is a very low bar but not as good as Pokemon BW which doesn't hold a candle to many modern RPG's.
    There comes a point when "it's just a kid's game" isn't a valid excuse when a game is marketed towards longtime fans.    … Expand
  36. SpartanleinaD
    Nov 15, 2019
    2
    Mediocre, didn't mean nothing new to the franchise, GF is just selling the same game as always.
  37. HAROLX
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    Un juego malisimo y con la peor calidad
    Puede ser una gran juego si eres conformista o tienes estándares nulos o compras todo lo que diga nintendo y/o pokemon
  38. Roidberg
    Nov 15, 2019
    2
    Scroll to the bottom part of my review and read the first sentence for the "In A Nutshell" version of it.

    The game has 0 of the pokemon I love from older games, the EXP share forces me to bank pokemon in the PC so I can individually train their EVs. That's nothing but a huge inconvenience. The starters are bland, I personally chose Sobble so I could say "Isn't it SOBvious" when people ask    Scroll to the bottom part of my review and read the first sentence for the "In A Nutshell" version of it.

    The game has 0 of the pokemon I love from older games, the EXP share forces me to bank pokemon in the PC so I can individually train their EVs. That's nothing but a huge inconvenience. The starters are bland, I personally chose Sobble so I could say "Isn't it SOBvious" when people ask me who I chose. That's the only reason this game got a 2 instead of a 1. The game lacks ALL of the charm a pokemon game should have on Switch. The main rival is still way too disgustingly cheerful. I gave the game to my 6 year old niece at the third gym and she beat it without losing any of my pokemon, proving how easy the games are. The game literally never stops holding your hand. The graphics aren't even subpar. A lot of the pokemon models are just way too stiff and difficult to even look at.

    This is less of a pokemon game and more of a game with pokemon in it. I wanted a game that "GOES BEYOND"(props if you get the reference.) What I got was a game that was rushed out onto the market to hit holiday deadlines. I have never experienced.    … Expand
  39. Keyz360
    Nov 15, 2019
    3
    Same old same old . 0 innovation Gamefreak can only make the same game . Need to change things up rather than the same game with the same story with a different skin
  40. gamerryu
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    This is my first review on this site because it felt necessary.
    Those games and GameFreak did everything wrong you could do wrong.
    Other people have gone in depth about it here already and I will just confirm that.
    #GameFreakLied.
  41. DanPlays
    Nov 15, 2019
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I’ll make this short. Cons- 61% cut dex, bad cringe animations and graphics from 3DS era, handholding to the extreme, 0 difficulty, 0 endgame content, worst battle tower we’ve ever had, Hop is annoying, XP share never turns off, on the rails A-B point gameplays. Pros- It’s a Pokémon game, Some are cute, wild zones cool for a bit but gets old fast, outfits,… Expand
  42. BlackPhanthom2
    Nov 16, 2019
    3
    -La historia es muy corta, bien planteada pero muy mal ejecutada (también va para los rivales)
    -El apartado gráfico va desde lo decente (ciudades) a lo realmente malo (área salvaje) y no compensan en absoluto los sacrificios (recorte de pokedex nacional y mecánicas establecidas)
    -Un postgame ridículamente corto. -el juego no supone ningún reto, es muy fácil -Si buscas una experiencia    -La historia es muy corta, bien planteada pero muy mal ejecutada (también va para los rivales)
    -El apartado gráfico va desde lo decente (ciudades) a lo realmente malo (área salvaje) y no compensan en absoluto los sacrificios (recorte de pokedex nacional y mecánicas establecidas)
    -Un postgame ridículamente corto.
    -el juego no supone ningún reto, es muy fácil
    -Si buscas una experiencia RPG o un juego con muchas horas recomendaría infinitamente el Xenoblade crhonicles 2 y el fire emblem three houses que son muy superiores en todo (salvo el FE, el apartado grafico es algo feo, pero lo compensa enormemente con otros aspectos).
    -Se lo recomendaría exclusivamente al jugador competitivo de pokemon, ya que el resto de apartados es insuficiente para motivar su compra    … Expand
  43. DreamCore
    Jan 6, 2020
    4
    By far the worst pokemon game I've ever played.

    While taking a few steps forward, removing random encounters and adding several quality of life improvements, it doesn't really add anything new. The story is very bland with poor bland writing that I felt like skipping most of the time. About 95% of the story is the standard "beat all gym leaders" that we've seen a hundred times    By far the worst pokemon game I've ever played.

    While taking a few steps forward, removing random encounters and adding several quality of life improvements, it doesn't really add anything new.

    The story is very bland with poor bland writing that I felt like skipping most of the time. About 95% of the story is the standard "beat all gym leaders" that we've seen a hundred times already with the other 5% of the story being a contrived "end of the world" kind of thing.

    The world design is boring and the world is very small and feels very artificial with very small and linear areas. The wild zone is large sure, but it's very bland and unintersting.

    The graphics is below mediocre. Other games like Luigis Mansion 3 shows that good graphics is possible on the Switch, but the visuals in this game is a big letdown.

    A large number of the new pokemons are also very boring visually. It feels like the designers have completely lost their imagination.    … Expand
  44. Irarius
    Nov 15, 2019
    4
    ok listen.. this game is just about mediocre. graphics wise its just like sun and moon. which also offer more content. content wise it feels like you can just go and get pokemon lets go instead of this..
    now also problematic are all the little things that are in this game for no aparent reason exept gamefreak beeing gamefreak and doing things for literally no reason other then lazyness    ok listen.. this game is just about mediocre. graphics wise its just like sun and moon. which also offer more content. content wise it feels like you can just go and get pokemon lets go instead of this..
    now also problematic are all the little things that are in this game for no aparent reason exept gamefreak beeing gamefreak and doing things for literally no reason other then lazyness

    why cant you catch mons with higher lvls ? cause gym badges must be earned... so this directly kills alot of the fun in exploring the wild area this games gimmick. meaning the biggest sellingpoint has a gigantic drawback.
    instead of just balancing catch rates or make them disobeying you if you dont have the badges they just said you cant catch them... a move that screams i didnt want to work today.

    this game is at points UGLY like legit looks like **** some things you dont notice but some you do.. bushes and trees have the ANCIENT 3d design of minecraft looking cheap and just rly rly lazy. trees as it was seen in trailers look laughable at times AND NO they did not fix them.

    things load in slowly and behave weard at times. gimmicks beyond gimmicks, the wild area beeing lets go but limited to the area. nothing rly exiting in it.. the barebones experience.

    literally not worth the price. at 30 bucks you could get it and get what you pay for but nothing else.
    you can get sun and moon which are better then the ultra versions because they are simpler and cleaner offer you a WAAAAY better experience. you get graphical the same thing. and if you want it on switch i saw lets go for 20 bucks on amazon 2 months after release. and that will do for you. it doesnt gate you like sword and shield. it also feels more complete.

    so since this game is just short in about everything and because they have no real excuse here this game is beneath mediocre so a 4 out of 10-

    remember they plit the dev team in 3 teams
    1 did lets go which btw didnt give us all the 151 mons into sword and shield... laughable
    1 did town which failed if i saw that correctly
    and 1 did this.

    maybe next time they actually dont split the teams up in 3 and focus. if they already take old modells then at least put them all in, have a better wild area, have things happen in there. give us back some of the old gimmicks such as seasons which could have improved replayability
    and also by the love of god polish this game... dont buy it,... at least for the near future. maybe they patch some things ( HIGHLY UNLIKELY) but possible. also the price might drop at sales. so it gets closer to a price deserving of this game    … Expand
  45. LeanneB
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    It's okay. Not the best pokemon game, but even though it's not fun and lacks voice acting and feels cheap, it's made by game freak, the same guys that gave us Black and White and Ruby and Sapphire. They're alright. Buy the game.
  46. Gallego
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    El peor juego de toda la saga de lejos. Antes de empezar a dar razones del por qué es tan pésimo juego, he de decir: Si sois auténticos fans de Pokémon, JAMÁS COMPRÉIS ESTE JUEGO, lo único que hacéis al comprarlo es llevar a la saga a peor, ya que Game Freak se seguirá sintiendo cómoda con su ley de mínimo esfuerzo. Ahora el por qué este juego no merece más de un 0:

    - Mentiras. Game    El peor juego de toda la saga de lejos. Antes de empezar a dar razones del por qué es tan pésimo juego, he de decir: Si sois auténticos fans de Pokémon, JAMÁS COMPRÉIS ESTE JUEGO, lo único que hacéis al comprarlo es llevar a la saga a peor, ya que Game Freak se seguirá sintiendo cómoda con su ley de mínimo esfuerzo. Ahora el por qué este juego no merece más de un 0:

    - Mentiras. Game Freak nos ha llenado de mentiras. Dijeron que el Dexit (falta de pokémon en la pokédex nacional) venía acompañado de mejores animaciones, y no es verdad.
    - Pokémon Lets Go le ha hecho mucho daño al juego, restandole 1 año de tiempo a su desarrollo. Dijeron que no obstaculizaría el desarrollo de SW/SH y sí, lo ha hecho, un juego penoso obstaculizando a un juego que podría ser decente, pero que ha acabado siendo incluso peor.

    Ahora los platos fuertes:
    - Más de la mitad de los pokémon recortados de la pokédex, cuando los modelos están todos importados de 3ds
    - Área silvestre super desaprovechada. Es decente en los 10 primeros minutos, después pasa a ser peor que una ruta pasillera
    - Gráficos lamentables. Son los gráficos de Sol/Luna reescalados. Los comparas con Zelda BotW o Mario Odyssey y te dan ganas de vomitar
    - Apartado técnico terrible. 30 fps máximos e inestables
    - Los objetos popean casi enfrente tuyo
    - Animaciones lamentables. No solo en combate, donde se ven mierdas como un Charizard escupiendo fuego por las alas, sino que outdoor también son terribles. Por twitter podéis ver un video de Zacian girandose, con una animación de andar para alante mientras gira 180 grados sin moverse del sitio. Imperdonable en la franquicia que más dinero genera en el mundo a día de hoy
    - 140 movimientos eliminados
    - Mega evoluciones y movimientos Z eliminados
    - Los objetos del mundo, por alguna razón, se congelan cuando estás subiendo una escalera. Lamentable
    - La distancia de renderizado en general es mínima. Tienes menos visión que un monje en Age of Empires 2
    - La historia es probablemente la peor de toda la saga
    - Los personajes son menos carismáticos que un Metapod, acabas cogiéndoles más asco que cariño
    - Duración pírrica, en 15 horas te has pasado el juego
    - El postgame es inexistente, dura 2 horas y mucho le estoy dando
    - Frenta batalla? JAJAJA. Otra entrega sin frente batalla en condiciones
    - GTS eliminada
    - El juego más fácil de toda la saga. El repartir experiencia no se puede desactivar y está totalmente desbalanceado, hasta el punto que llegas a la liga con +30 niveles y eres capaz de oneshootear a los gigamax de los gimnasios sin transformar a tu pokémon
    - SPOILER: Y hablando de la liga. Recordáis ese antiguo alto mando? Pues ya no existe, han recortado hasta eso, ahora el alto mando está compuesto por los líderes de gimnasio
    - Entrenadores con 1 solo pokémon y a un nivel bajísimo. Lo que pasaba en Sol/Luna, pero más exagerado aún
    - Cada pocos minutos, alguien cura a tu equipo, haciendo que puedas seguir siempre adelante sin necesidad de volver atrás y curar
    - A todo lo anterior, súmale que puedes acceder al PC desde cualquier parte y que los combates son más fáciles que completar el nivel 1-1 de cualquier Mario, y tienes un juego que lo completas sin reto alguno SOLO siguiendo el camino. Camino que, por cierto, te llevan de la manita, no vayas a perderte
    - Hablando de pokémon. Los diseños son horribles, mira que era difícil que fueran más feos que en sexta generación... pues lo son
    - Y sabéis que más comparte con sexta generación? Que solo puedes capturar 2 legendarios... WOW
    - También tiene los peores iniciales de la saga de lejos. Las últimas evoluciones de Scorbunny y Sobble parecen una segunda evolución. Decir que son vomitivos es quedarse corto
    - El tamaño de los pokémon no tiene sentido (mítico ejemplo, Wailord)
    - Muy desbalanceado en cuanto a tipos. Solo hay 2 pokémon tipo tierra, por ejemplo, y son ambos de la misma rama evolutiva
    - LA NOSTALGIA. Parece que Game Freak solo sabe vender mediante el uso de la nostalgia a día de hoy. La región de Kanto, Charizard y Pikachu por todas partes, por lo menos Mewtwo apenas sale.

    Y seguramente haya más puntos que se me olviden, pero he mencionado bastantes como para que el 0 esté más que justificado

    Lo dicho, si eres un fan de verdad y de verdad aprecias y amas la saga, JAMÁS compres estos juegos, lo único que estarás haciendo es apoyar la ley del mínimo esfuerzo que están siguiendo con la saga desde sexta generación. En cambio, si no lo apoyáis, tenemos la posibilidad de que Nintendo meta mano en el asunto y arregle este desastre.

    En resumen, un juego penoso y lamentable. Si llega a ser una empresa indie su desarrolladora, la prensa no le daría más de un 5. No es un juego a la altura de la calidad de las entregas de Switch, tales como los ya mencionados Zelda BotW y Mario Odyssey, u otros ejemplos como Fire Emblem 3H y Xenoblade 2.    … Expand
  47. leetl1
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    Worst Pokemon game! Well, besides Let's Go Pikachu, and Pokemon Dash, and Pokemon Rumble, and Puhkemon, and yeah. But not enough Pokemon. I need my lil kitty Inciny.
  48. Marcocritix
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Those are not pokemon, they some weird monsters, the design is terrible if compared to the previus games. The story is lazy, the enemies are too easy. Just a bad game and lazy studio.
  49. xXDank_HillXx
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    I've become jaded to the pokemon games, I've played these games so much that I've realized that its the same thing over and over, walk from point a to b, fight pokemon with or without talking to someone first (I have never lost a pokemon match in the newer generations btw If I have its one or two times at most), and dialogue, Saints row 4 constantly has 10 things I can do at the same time,I've become jaded to the pokemon games, I've played these games so much that I've realized that its the same thing over and over, walk from point a to b, fight pokemon with or without talking to someone first (I have never lost a pokemon match in the newer generations btw If I have its one or two times at most), and dialogue, Saints row 4 constantly has 10 things I can do at the same time, So much in fact that within 8 hours of playing it I have only completed side missions, which have added up to over 20% of the game, theres just so little to do in pokemon for an adult, and to be honest, I don't think it's fair for an adult to review the game, nostalgia doesn't actually represent how good a game is, it was just extremely addictive as a kid, Thats it. They would like it if you gotta catch em all.. some kid has cried over the fact they gotta catch em all and their parents caved in, companies making childrens games actually want that, why woulden't they?… Expand
  50. Daviz
    Nov 15, 2019
    6
    Sinceramente les faltaron muchos detalles al juego, le falto el cariño de antiguas sagas como la 5 gen, esta mal optimizado, como también abusan del popping en las personas que aparecen y desaparecen de la nada, muchos detalles con los fondos de combates, estos de gamefreak se nota que están bajando en calidad.
  51. Tatical
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    No national Dex, no megas, no GTS.
    Grovyle died for a gigantic plate of curry.
  52. Marper
    Nov 15, 2019
    4
    As the first main entry to be developed for a house console, I expected a game that rivaled Odyssey or BOTW, a revolution of the series.
    If that wasn't gonna happen, then at the very least I would like a quality game.
    I'm afraid I got none. I decided to not pay much attention to the criticism and buy the game to form an opinion through my own gameplay. I played the game for about 15    As the first main entry to be developed for a house console, I expected a game that rivaled Odyssey or BOTW, a revolution of the series.
    If that wasn't gonna happen, then at the very least I would like a quality game.
    I'm afraid I got none.

    I decided to not pay much attention to the criticism and buy the game to form an opinion through my own gameplay.
    I played the game for about 15 hours, until I finished it.
    Within an hour of gameplay, it crashed and took some data that I had to redownload.
    Aside that, the first moments were somewhat fun, but then you start seeing the issues, the graphics are often barely tolerable, and often they dip into unacceptable territory, mostly in the wild area.
    The routes are basically hallways, they're extremely short.
    The interruptions are worse than ever, constant forced character interactions for the smallest thing (I don't need to be congratulated for moving 10 steps)
    The game is egregiously easy, and you can't turn exp share off to make it harder.
    Constant graphical issues on top of the already bad graphics
    The wild area (yes there's only one wild area) is a huge disappointment, it's basically just an empty route with impossible weather that makes it feel even worse.
    And to top it off, there's basically no post game whatsoever.
    And I can't have fun in the post game when I can't bring my older, favorite pokemon in.

    Overall, an extremely weak and boring entry by pokemon standards, by normal game standards it is much worse.
    It's a rushed, low effort mess, and I cannot recommend this game to anyone, I'll stop buying pokemon games for the foreseeable future.    … Expand
  53. TehSe7en
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    While the games aren't bad per say, compared to the previous installments, it's lacking in every direction other than graphically. The number of possible monsters to be caught are less than in previous games, being impossible to even transfer over certain monsters from previous games, the characters are forgettable and annoying to the point that you constantly fight your rival (who keepsWhile the games aren't bad per say, compared to the previous installments, it's lacking in every direction other than graphically. The number of possible monsters to be caught are less than in previous games, being impossible to even transfer over certain monsters from previous games, the characters are forgettable and annoying to the point that you constantly fight your rival (who keeps changing his team) countless times, interrupted story elements where you can't intervene, Leon, the champion, will always say something along these lines "Go finish the gym challenge, I'll deal with the situation!", instead of letting the player deal with the issues and be involved in the story, there's no bad team per say, throughout the game, team Yell aren't a threat, they are just your regular soccer fanboys that keep chasing your rival, they'll even stop your progress because you, the player character, is being mean to a poor snake pokemon, they also have a city of their own (akin to sun and moon's po town), but it's literally a straight corridor to the right where you keep fighting members of team Yell who only have a single pokemon each. They are just exactly what they said in the trailers, fanboys.

    Every bit of the map is strikingly lacking, most routes are very short with some gyms and pokecenters being 2 minutes appart from each other, the last 3 gyms are easily reachable in under 5 minutes, connected by straight line routes. Very uninteresting places and no rewarding hidden spots to find.

    The whole story segments are also piss poor, at the end, Leon gets mysteriously dragged to the chairman's tower right before the final match with the player character, it's now your job to go find Leon, in your way you find Oleana, who sends a single goon, with the tower's key, your way, he's dressed like the regular pokemon league staff, but he wears black glasses, to return the key you have to find him in the central area of the last bit of the game, you have to find him and battle him 4 times, each time he sends out 2 steel type pokemon, it felt like a chore, why not just give him a full pokemon team and battle him once? After that you get to reach the tower, where you have to take the elevator, during your elevator ride, you gotta fight some of Oleana's goons in double battles, like the previous guy you gotta fight them 4 times, and you guessed it, they have 1 pokemon each, it felt like yet another chore, why not give them full pokemon teams and fight them once?
    Then you reach the top and fight Oleana herself, who has a variety of pokemon types, but easily beatable, proceeded by a 3 shot cutscene, felt like a powerpoint presentation, of Leon speaking with the chairman about how in a 1000 years the darkest day will come, which Leon proceeds to say "We can do it some other time, it's like 1000 is tomorrow", it cuts to Leon leaving and the chairman plotting to release the darkest day on Leon's showmatch.
    Before the match with Leon begins, you are interrupted by loud noises coming from the dragon type gym, you and Hop go to the area where you first found Zacian (or Zamazenta in shield), and call for help, then proceed to the gym only to find out that apparently the chairman got crazy and released Eternatus (mind you, we never heard of him before) and we need to catch it to stop the darkest day, you reach the chairman's location and fight him, he has a plethora of steel types, easily beatable as well, and he'll warn you that the champion already caught Eternatus at this point, then cut to you and Hop on top of the gym with Leon trying to catch (and fail miserably) Eternatus, it then turns into Eternamax and you now have to fight it with Hop, for whatever reason, Leon doesn't join you, your attacks phase through it, the box legendaries come to the rescue and fight along side you in a 4v1 battle, they almost instantly knock out Eternatus and you get to capture it, the legendaries flee and you get to fight Leon properly. That's it, the last 2 hours of the game it's when the plot unfolds in a rushed mess with nothing leading up to it, everything is completely fine until your final match, where everything comes down.

    The post game can get easily resumed by "it's where you catch the legendaries" and to do that you have to fight two dudes with hair that resembles a sword and a shield, 3 times, then you get to fight your version's legendary and that's it.

    The rest of the game contains, max raid battles which are insanely repetitive, and the very poorly thought out battle tower (it's literally the same as sun and moon's battle tree but without the trainers from previous games).    … Expand
  54. Cabruncso
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    A marca mais cara do mundo não pode entregar um jogo medíocre. Corte de mais da metade da dex, gráficos que ficam muuuito atrás de jogos de 2017 lançados pro mesmo console, inovações bastante questionáveis nesse jogo, animações dos personagens e dos pokemons importadas e recicladas dos jogos do 3ds.. Esse jogo é um desrespeito da Game Freak para com seus fãs e consumidores! Merece todoA marca mais cara do mundo não pode entregar um jogo medíocre. Corte de mais da metade da dex, gráficos que ficam muuuito atrás de jogos de 2017 lançados pro mesmo console, inovações bastante questionáveis nesse jogo, animações dos personagens e dos pokemons importadas e recicladas dos jogos do 3ds.. Esse jogo é um desrespeito da Game Freak para com seus fãs e consumidores! Merece todo insucesso do mundo.… Expand
  55. Rikyun
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    As a Pokémon game it has the core mechanics every other Pokémon game has: battles and catching pokemon. However this is not the only thing a console Pokémon video game should have. This however makes the game trigger the nostalgia, but this feeling fades too soon due to all the lacking aspects, the glitches and the intrusive "story" plot, which is basically your "rival" telling you to goAs a Pokémon game it has the core mechanics every other Pokémon game has: battles and catching pokemon. However this is not the only thing a console Pokémon video game should have. This however makes the game trigger the nostalgia, but this feeling fades too soon due to all the lacking aspects, the glitches and the intrusive "story" plot, which is basically your "rival" telling you to go to another gym.

    Pros: Nice looking exteriors. - Nostalgia trigger when spotting old and loved Pokémon spawn and watching them HD. - Dialogues during battles are new and brings a little of life to the action - Dynamaxing is a cool concept - Camp and feeding your Pokémon is funny, more so when you bake a bad food.

    Cons: No story at all - The main events from a story feel distant as you can´t join them - Straight lined game play - Easy leveled - No post game - Unfinished settings - No dungeons nor challenging Puzzles - 10 -15 hours of Gameplay - No post Game - Glitches - No high quality animation - non memorable characters- Intrusive dialogues and cinematics - No real challenge - Not a $60 worth game - No real villain - No real rival - Dynamxing, even tough feels cool at first, gets boring too soon - No visible shynies on the outer world - Void world for in door battles - No animation for flying - One use only technical moves - Wrong animation setting for fishing - No free fishing - No interaction with pokemon in the outside world like swimming, running or riding.    … Expand
  56. Panderbarepando
    Nov 15, 2019
    4
    If I could give them one more qualification, but Game Freak has done a disappointing job for Pokemon.

    I do not intend to elaborate on that theme that is already in the mouth of the fandom but in case they have not given the width in its launch for Switch and it shows that Game Freak has fallen asleep on its laurels .... De ponerles una calificacion mas podria pero en si Game Freak ha    If I could give them one more qualification, but Game Freak has done a disappointing job for Pokemon.

    I do not intend to elaborate on that theme that is already in the mouth of the fandom but in case they have not given the width in its launch for Switch and it shows that Game Freak has fallen asleep on its laurels ....

    De ponerles una calificacion mas podria pero en si Game Freak ha hecho un trabajo decepcionante para Pokemon.

    No pienso explayar sobre ese tema que ya esta en boca del fandom pero en si no han dado el ancho en su lanzamiento para Switch y demuestra que Game Freak se ha dormido en sus laureles....    … Expand
  57. ScarletSpider
    Nov 15, 2019
    4
    A non review bomb review.

    I beat the game at around 12 hours. Post game is an extra 2 hours and some gimped Battle Tower, otherwise my playtime would be a little over 8 hours. There were a few good things in this game. Characters expressions are more varied than the soulless expressions from Sun/Moon. Interiors looks pretty, although some are cut/paste. Nice QoL changes such as being    A non review bomb review.

    I beat the game at around 12 hours. Post game is an extra 2 hours and some gimped Battle Tower, otherwise my playtime would be a little over 8 hours. There were a few good things in this game. Characters expressions are more varied than the soulless expressions from Sun/Moon. Interiors looks pretty, although some are cut/paste. Nice QoL changes such as being able to change natures for competitive. Some of the new Pokemon look really, REALLY good. Some great designs.

    The story was pretty bland and baffling, even by Pokemon standards. For all that was cut, Gamefreak hasn't provided enough content to justify paying $60. The game is missing 60% of the Pokemon roster, moves have been cut, there is no accurate size scaling despite the gimmick being giant Pokemon, forced EXP share with no toggle means you'll be over leveled and nearly one shotting every opponent. Tons of empty corridors, no dungeons, and TMs are split between TMs and TRs. Most TRs can only be used once and most are necessary for competitive. You'll have to grind raids for it which can be a bit annoying clearly meant to pad out the game's post game. The game is graphically unimpressive in 2019 and some weird overworld bugs are present such as extreme pop ins, the world freezing when you climb ladders/mount your bike, etc. Alas, it's just another Pokemon game I have to regrettably sell for my money back. Very disappointed.

    I truly love this franchise but management at The Pokemon Company International clearly don't know what they're doing with the brand in terms of the mainline games. Trying to keep these games releasing yearly is decreasing the quality of the product. Gamefreak had just gotten past using sprites 7 years ago, and spent even less time in the 3D era, now they're dealing with HD assets are are clearly struggling to adjust. Gamefreak needs help but TPCi is not making it easy for them    … Expand
  58. AgneseMaile1
    Nov 15, 2019
    4
    I have been waiting for this game for so long, It has been promised so much and we all finally were waiting for a special chapter for the nintendo switch.
    Pokedex cut apart, this game is a total scam.
    - No real story, there is no story at all, seriously, you just go here and there and after half of the gyms you do not understand what's going on - no post game - after you sadly    I have been waiting for this game for so long, It has been promised so much and we all finally were waiting for a special chapter for the nintendo switch.
    Pokedex cut apart, this game is a total scam.

    - No real story, there is no story at all, seriously, you just go here and there and after half of the gyms you do not understand what's going on
    - no post game - after you sadly complete the null story, you get nothing as a reward
    - no mini games
    - animations are EMBARRASSING. Imported from 3DS games
    - graphic is colorful but looks... weird, incomplete, some textures are so bad you wonder if the game rushed
    - cutscenes are just copy and paste with puppets rotating, they speak, black fading, nothing really inspiring
    - if you played x and y, you have already seen everything
    - same twist, same villains, same things

    We can not accept another copy and paste pokemon game like this one on 2019 on nintendo switch.
    It is a completely attempt to cash grab money.

    I am going to bring it back ASAP!
    GO BUY POKEMON LET's go, it is SUCH a nostalgia masterpiece compared to this scam.    … Expand
  59. 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
  60. Gaius03
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    Graphics are ok, could be better.
    Same with animations. Should be more dynamic.
    While yes, I’m upset that there isn’t the full Dex, I can only hope/assume that they allow the next game to have everyone. So far I’m like 5-6 or so hours in. Storyline is pretty hand-holding and I can pretty much guess the endgame just from the small hints and such. If/when they do free updates for the full    Graphics are ok, could be better.
    Same with animations. Should be more dynamic.

    While yes, I’m upset that there isn’t the full Dex, I can only hope/assume that they allow the next game to have everyone. So far I’m like 5-6 or so hours in. Storyline is pretty hand-holding and I can pretty much guess the endgame just from the small hints and such. If/when they do free updates for the full Dex I’d change this to a 7.    … Expand
  61. 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
  62. Pardner
    Nov 16, 2019
    4
    Very disappointed. While many issues have already been pointed out, there are a few major ones that few, at least from what ive seen, have pointed out.
    1. The handholding. Everyone hates hand holding, from kids to adults alike. Unfortunately, Hop, the "rival" is literally everywhere and won't let you take a few steps before he needlessly tells you what you already know. There's hand    Very disappointed. While many issues have already been pointed out, there are a few major ones that few, at least from what ive seen, have pointed out.
    1. The handholding. Everyone hates hand holding, from kids to adults alike. Unfortunately, Hop, the "rival" is literally everywhere and won't let you take a few steps before he needlessly tells you what you already know. There's hand holding everywhere. We aren't idiots. The handholding makes us feel like one, however, and it very quickly makes you hate Hop. 2. The lack of challenge. This game is incredibly easy. The EXP share is always turned on, so your Pokemon are usually overleveled. Along with that, there's zero puzzles or dungeons. The old games had plenty, and completing these made you feel accomplished. There's none of that here. Without challenge, are you truly playing am JRPG? Challenge is what makes Pokemon games fun. So no challenges or puzzles really hits hard here.
    3. Shiny locked and gigantamax locked Pokemon. Unfortunately, there are shiny locked Pokemon again. This time, it's not only legendary Pokemon, but gift Pokemon as well. Keeping shiny Pokemon locked behind events doesn't feel like you earned it. There cheap grabs. It's insulting. Not only that, but you can't just give the gigantmax trait to any Pokemon. You have to catch them. This means any Pokemon you have been with for a long time cannot gigantamax. You must replace them if you want a gigiantamax version of your Pokemon, even shiny versions. This feels cheap to me.
    4. Lack of new Pokemon animations. While Gamefreak did have to create new textures and tweaks to the wireframes, it doesn't excuse about how they lied about new animations. While the moves are wonderful to look at, the Pokemon themselves aren't wildly animated like this. It's all the same. It seems the animation budget went towards moves and not Pokemon. Now that all the moves have new animations, hopefully the Pokemon themselves will get more animated in the next games.
    5. Non Scaled Pokemon. I gripe I have is that Pokemon aren't properly sized in battle and in the campsite. Pokemon that should be massive are the size of the player. An example of this is tyranitar. Hes proper size in the overworld, but he's absolutely short in battle and the campsite. Same is true for the third legendary. Absolutely giant in cutscenes and in the overworld, but it's the size of a charizard in battle and the campsite. It makes no sense.
    6. Mediocre wild area textures. The textures in the wild area are awful compared to the rest of the game. Unfortunately, the wild area is a large part of the game, so you can't escape it. The trees look like they came from the 64 era, the grass looks like it was smothered on, the water looks a bit glossy and doesn't even have water ripple around swimming Pokemon, it's just bad.

    All in all, Pokemon Sword (and shield) is a mediocre Pokemon game. It feels like this should have come out on the 3ds. It just isn't as good as it should have been. I mean, it's a decent game, but it's not a great game. Hopefully with the reported longer development time for future titles, we can get the Pokemon game that truly earns the title of #1.    … Expand
  63. 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...
  64. 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.
  65. David31
    Nov 18, 2019
    4
    Cosas buenas:
    -Gimnasios y Liga Pokémon: En esta ocasión la liga se sigue y se televisa por toda la región como un gran acontecimiento dando la sensación de que realmente estás participando en algo grande, con combates más espectaculares y lideres de gimnasio carismáticos.
    -Zona Silvestre: Es cierto que ahora mismo esto no es más que una zona safari con esteroides, pero me parece una    Cosas buenas:
    -Gimnasios y Liga Pokémon: En esta ocasión la liga se sigue y se televisa por toda la región como un gran acontecimiento dando la sensación de que realmente estás participando en algo grande, con combates más espectaculares y lideres de gimnasio carismáticos.

    -Zona Silvestre: Es cierto que ahora mismo esto no es más que una zona safari con esteroides, pero me parece una buena idea que seguir explotando en el futuro y tiene potencial para acabar convirtiendose en un pokémon de mundo abierto que tanta gente espera. Quiero confiar en que seguirán ese camino.

    -Mecánicas simplificadas: Me gustó mucho cuando descubrí que podía cambiar los motes y olvidar y recordar movimientos desde el centro pokémon en lugar de buscar por todo el mapa al npc de turno que quiere un objeto a cambio de cualquiera de esas cosas. Además el vuelo (o viaje rápido) está disponible desde casi el principio del juego, lo que agiliza las cosas si te has dejado alguna ruta por explorar mejor.

    -Diseños y BSO: Tanto el diseño de los nuevos pokémon, como el de personajes, como el de ciudades me parecen de los mejores de toda la saga. No hay ningún pokémon que me desagrade visualmente, el diseño de los personajes les ayuda a conseguir carisma pero sin llegar a ser demasiado extravagantes (no como otros de la saga) y pese a que las ciudades no destacan por ser grandes, la manera en la que están hechas te da una sensación de amplitud. por otra parte la banda sonora en general me parece una de las mejores que hemos tenido en varias generaciones con algunos temas que te ponen los pelos de punta.

    Cosas Malas:
    -Rivales: Antes creía que jamás volveríamos a tener un rival de la talla de Silver o Blue, ahora lo sé. En esta ocasión contamos con 3 rivales, el principal de ellos es Paul y en esencia es una especie de Tilo pero sin malasadas y al que a partir de ahora me voy a referir como Tilo2. En cuanto a los otros dos es cierto que no me han disgustado y si que tienen una evolución más clara dentro del juego, pero me da la sensación de que se quedan a medias de algo que podría haber sido mucho mejor, en especial el chico (no recuerdo ahora su nombre, disculpad). Este personaje tenía potencial para convertirse en una especie de segundo Silver pero cuando tiene la oportunidad para ello se desinfla y se queda en nada.

    -Poca libertad: Entiendo que Pokémon es un juego lineal pero este en especial lo es más que otros. Cada vez que giras una esquina y cada vez que atraviesas una puerta aparece Tilo2 para decirte ``ES POR AQUÍ, ESTE ES EL CAMINO QUE TIENES QUE SEGUIR JAJA SALU2´´ ``DA IGUAL QUE ME IGNORES PORQUE DENTRO DE 4 METROS VOY A VOLVER A APARECER PARA DECIRTE OTRA VEZ CUAL ES EL CAMINO´´. Y si por algún casual decides darte una vuelta antes de seguir adelante puede que te encuentres con un muro de npcs que no te deja pasar (esto ocurre sobretodo en ciudades donde se plantan 2 idiotas del team yell y no te dejan pasar por según que zonas sin ningun tipo de justificación argumental y sin sentido ninguno porque realmente no hay nada en ese lado de la ciudad que no debas ver en ese momento).

    -Restricciones para capturar: Ahora resulta que si no tienes x medalla no puedes atrapar pokémon de alto nivel. Comprendo que existiendo la zona silvestre esta sea una manera que tiene el juego de evitar que vayas por la vida dopadísimo, pero hubiera sido más fácil que directamente no te aparezcan bichos de ese nivel hasta que no tengas la medalla. Queda feo enfrentarte a un pokémon y que no te deje atraparlo solo porque al juego no le da la gana.

    -Historia y duración: La historia más allá de la liga pokémon es muy pobre y no cobra un mínimo de interés hasta casi el final del juego. Además el juego en si es el más corto de toda la saga, a mi me ha durado 20h, con un postgame de apenas 2h y que tampoco tiene demasiado interés.

    -Pokedex y aspecto técnico: Si bien es cierto que la pokedex de Galar tiene las suficientes novedades y variedad como para no echar de menos in game a ninguno de los pokémon que faltan, una de las justificaciones para recortarla era poder mejorar las animaciones y los gráficos, cosa que no ha sido así. Hay muchísimas animaciones recicladas (tanto en bichos como en personajes) y el modelado de los pokémon que ya existían es exactamente el mismo que en la pasada generación. Además el salto gráfico se queda mucho más corto de lo que muchos esperábamos. Por tanto no veo una justificación real para que no pueda estar la pokedex completa.

    Cosas que me importan una mierda:
    -EL PUTO MODO COCINA

    En resumen: Creo que la prensa en general ha sido bastante generosa con la nota. Las cosas buenas que tiene el juego, y que en otras generaciones hubieran llamado más la atención, quedan eclipsadas por las cosas no tan buenas y por las desacertadas palabras de gamefreak que nos hicieron esperar un nivel de calidad que en realidad no existe.    … Expand
  66. ViniBoy20
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Nintendo comprando críticos para darem notas melhores; que vergonha Nintendo
    disseram que iam refazer o game do zero e o que eu vejo é claramente um reaproveitamento dos design anteriores
    animações mal feitas e batalhas chatas sem animação; um dos piores games da nintendo e da marca pokemon
  67. Syperis
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Im a long time fan, I played every pokemon while growing up, upon getting pokemon sword, I was amazed by how it looked, i always wanted a pokemon game on a home console. Upon getting to my first gym, for some reason my game crashed and just keeping me an orange screen, now whenever i turn my switch on thats all i get. I looked it up online and turns out pokemon just brick'd my switchIm a long time fan, I played every pokemon while growing up, upon getting pokemon sword, I was amazed by how it looked, i always wanted a pokemon game on a home console. Upon getting to my first gym, for some reason my game crashed and just keeping me an orange screen, now whenever i turn my switch on thats all i get. I looked it up online and turns out pokemon just brick'd my switch console. I have never had this happen when i played other games like smash, Mario cart, or even pokemon lets go pickachu. Upon calling nintendo support they told me i have to send my console in for repair and i need to pay for it, a console that was working 100% fine eariler is now dead weight because of 1 game,

    I was looking forward to this game, but it breaking my console is unacceptable, how does gamefreak or nintendo even let something like this be released????

    Never buying another pokemon game again unless GF reimburses me the money i have to pay now to fix their screw up.    … Expand
  68. Cosmic06Star
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Awful game made by awful developers. This is not a current gen game, this barely qualifies as a PS2 game at best. Don't support this game so that maybe the devs learn and actually decide to put effort into Pokemon.
  69. Soup197
    Nov 16, 2019
    0
    Bad graphics, too short, no post-game. Not being able to play the game with my favorite teams and mons I trained for years really sucked
  70. LeHappitse
    Nov 17, 2019
    1
    Really really shameful game, coming from the highest grossing franchise on Earth. Technically subpar (awful graphics, lots of bugs, pathetic draw distance) and with lot of weird choices from Game Freak (removing half of Pokemon, removing hundreds of moves, replacing Megas with a cringey gigantism gimmick, replacing ridable pokemon by an ugly and boring bike....etc). Really sad that aReally really shameful game, coming from the highest grossing franchise on Earth. Technically subpar (awful graphics, lots of bugs, pathetic draw distance) and with lot of weird choices from Game Freak (removing half of Pokemon, removing hundreds of moves, replacing Megas with a cringey gigantism gimmick, replacing ridable pokemon by an ugly and boring bike....etc). Really sad that a franchose with so much potention fail to deliver that hard.… Expand
  71. Silvally1
    Nov 17, 2019
    3
    These games have their faults, a lot of them. The wild area is a mess in almost all categories, new mons look goofy, region is extremely linear, story makes zero since, more hand holdy than the last Gen, level scaling is atrocious.

    But it's not all bad, Camping is cute, max raid battles are a fun way to waste your time, some gym battles can be fun, some interesting characters too. Is    These games have their faults, a lot of them. The wild area is a mess in almost all categories, new mons look goofy, region is extremely linear, story makes zero since, more hand holdy than the last Gen, level scaling is atrocious.

    But it's not all bad, Camping is cute, max raid battles are a fun way to waste your time, some gym battles can be fun, some interesting characters too.

    Is the game an unplayable mess like they claim? No. But is it any good? Eh, for a jump to home console it's pretty lackluster and if you want to go there... unpolished. If you liked the last games you might enjoy it but that's a HUGE might.

    Overall, 4/10    … Expand
  72. Mayanknaithani
    Dec 20, 2021
    0
    WTF are you doing to this franchise? Stop with the mindset that people are gonna buy whatever **** we sell them. You did the same with the let's go series, no new content and even less content that original games. Stop being so greedy and stop putting so few efforts in-game. If you don't have enough time then take time and launch a good-finished game. This game would have been ok if it wasWTF are you doing to this franchise? Stop with the mindset that people are gonna buy whatever **** we sell them. You did the same with the let's go series, no new content and even less content that original games. Stop being so greedy and stop putting so few efforts in-game. If you don't have enough time then take time and launch a good-finished game. This game would have been ok if it was launched for Wii.
    *Where are the dungeons?
    *Why is wild area so empty?
    *Why are later gyms so rushed?
    *Why is the length of the game so short?
    *Why remove the trading system where we could search for specific pokemon?
    *Why the hell is EXP share always On?
    It looks to me that game freak is trying to destroy their own most profitable franchise by pulling such stunts. Believe me, I am a huge pokemon fan, have played every game 6-7 times. I have never been so disappointed by a Pokemon game this much. I did not mind the dex cut as I thought " Well they are reducing the Pokemon numbers as they are working on adding new content and feature to the game." But when I played the game it really disappointed me.
    Look at the quality of titles Switch can handle and then take a deep look at your game. I did not want to compare this with another game but now I have to. Look at Yo-kai watch 4, that game looks like a lot of effort was put into it.
    We don't need games every year, for the love of god take your time ( as many years as you need) but do not be in a hurry to release such bad game just for the sake of earning money. In the long run, you will keep losing your player base and this will destroy your franchise. I have so many friends who were big Pokemon game fans, but gradually they all got fed of same game every year. I always thought I will never think like that, after looking at this game I don't think I can buy another Pokemon game. I am done with Pokemon if this is the type of game you are going to release.
    What is your thought process? Do you guys think "if we make a good game with lots of content, then next time we will have to work harder? So let's not release a game with all features fans want?"
    How the hell did you think it was a good idea to make games shorter? We wait 2-3 years for a new game and then it ends in 15-20hours.....
    What made you think let's remove the dungeons and make routes shorter? Did you even play your own game?
    The best part of a Pokemon game is to go on longer routes, explore dungeons, get your party wiped out due to lack of healing and much more. You have forgotten what a Pokemon game is supposed to be, instead, you are focusing too much on child-friendly content. This is the best looking Pokemon game and at the same time worst Pokemon game.
    Why make EXP share always active? I had two teams for playthrough, 12 pokemon. I kept on swapping between both teams so my pokemon do not get over-leveled. Do you know what happened? I was still 1 or 2 shotting the gym leaders pokemon. At least take some feedback from people who are gonna buy your game, add a difficulty setting for people who want these games to be a bit of challenge. Heck, the fan game makers are doing a lot better than you guys.
    I am seriously done with Pokemon games for now. This is the most disappointed I have ever been with a Pokemon game. Heck, I made an account here just to post this review.
    You better step up your game or you are gonna lose all your long time and mature fans.
    Then make games for kids as much as you want.
    I love Pokemon games and always thought they were the best games, but this was just disappointing.
    Is money that important to you guys? Do you guys never think about your fan base and how they feel when you show us that you don't give a f@@@ about us? You can have all the money in the world but nothing beats the feeling when someone appreciates your work.
    *PLEASE STOP BUYING THESE GAMES SO GAMEFREAK KNOWS THAT WE WONT TAKE THIS **** ANYMORE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE RIGHT NOW OR WE WILL LOOSE POKEMON. SAD DAY FOR POKEMON FANS.
    Peace out    … Expand
  73. foolishdog7
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Gamefreak should be ashamed. This game is a joke and is a slap in the face to all pokemon fans,
  74. Clockworkenergy
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Soulless and rushed, lacks the charm of the earlier titles. Really disappointing.
  75. kotaru
    Nov 17, 2019
    2
    Lo vendí a las 2 días de comprarlo. Gráficos de Wii, nivel artístico pobre, ralentizaciones brutales en la zona salvaje, bugs varios, escenarios vacios, demasiado lineal para un supuesto RPG, historia que no motiva a seguir. Se han aprovechado del nombre de la saga Pokémon y nos la han colado con el marketing.
  76. lukasloreto
    Nov 17, 2019
    1
    jogo horrivel, estava andando numa caverna e percebi que detalhes da caverna nao estavam prontos como se tivessem esquecido de terminar, cara uma franquia como pokemom esta na hora de inovar o publico anseia por isso!
  77. user68729697165
    Nov 17, 2019
    1
    I love Pokemon. I've been a fan since Red came out on the original Game Boy. However, these games are terrible. Animations are terrible, framerate is capped at 30 fps, and almost all of the Pokemon I love have been cut out of the game. Don't waste your money on this cash grab.
  78. Aliensoldier
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    unfortunately, Gamefreak don't understand the true fan of pokemon. After an wonderful Zelda BOTW, masude has to make an new episode with more ambition.
  79. morgoth834
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    Pokemon continues the downward trend its had ever since the transition to 3D. The game has less content than any pokemon game since RS back in 2002 on the GBA. Let that sink in for a minute. I'm not merely talking about the lack of pokemon due to dexit (all though that is certainly a major issue) but rather the lack of content to do. The main story is the shortest pokemon game yet withPokemon continues the downward trend its had ever since the transition to 3D. The game has less content than any pokemon game since RS back in 2002 on the GBA. Let that sink in for a minute. I'm not merely talking about the lack of pokemon due to dexit (all though that is certainly a major issue) but rather the lack of content to do. The main story is the shortest pokemon game yet with incredibly linear routes, no dungeons, and very little challenge or exploration. After beating the game which takes roughly 20 hours there is virtually no post-game. It's incredibly barren.

    Then there is the graphics. What can I say but that this game looks absolutely atrocious. This is a major AAA game and yet it looks horrendous. It pales in comparison to games like BotW or Odyssey (both of which are filled with far more content BTW). Pokemon is the single biggest media franchise in the world yet it looks like it was made by an indie team. This is utterly inexcusable.

    I've barely scratched the surface of what a travesty this game is. But, all in all, it's downright terrible. An easy 0/10 from me. Pass this one by and play Pokemon Black and White instead. You'll have a far better time.    … Expand
  80. SuperiorSuisen
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Muy mal juego, definitivamente el peor de la franquicia, en nada ayuda que recorten números en la Pokédex y para qué? Para seguir usando malos gráficos de un pobre juego lal hecho, el post gane es mediocre y falto de creatividad, la historia si bien no es mala tampoco se supo aprovecha y lo peor son los atrevimientos para nuevas mecánicas que terminan por ser monótonas y repetitivas a tal punto de que comienza a ser tedioso. Si no es de los peores juegos de la saga es porque es el peor, y para el precio es un absoluto robo, Game Freak ha hecho más con menos, un claro ejemplo sería Gold y Silver, pero dejando de lado las comparaciones este juego no tiene brillo propio y no destaca en absolutamente nada, si bien tiene una banda Sonora excelente ya es habitual que una entrega de Pokémon sea muy buena instrumentalmente hablando, por eso lo único que tenía que hacer era asegurarse que el gameplay no se sintiera pesado y la única tarea que tenían la hicieron mal. Más palabrashay para describir este juego, pero pocas quedan que no sean ofensivas, así que en conclusión sale más rentable comprarse un Gameboy y un cartucho al Pokémon Sword, no sólo puede salir al mismo precio si busca bien, hasta se puede optar por algo de mejor calidad.… Expand
  81. Honey666
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    Terrible design, terrible game play.
    I dont understand why people would trust gamefreak if they're making games like this
  82. Winston_Oldes
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    They should have named this “Pokémon Wind” because this game blows. Until I played this I used to think the idea of review bombing and being so harsh about a game you’d give it a 0 was unfair. But now? I finally understand the frustration of looking forward to a game, defending their creative decisions and then realizing I just got took for $59. So what to say to the other people here toThey should have named this “Pokémon Wind” because this game blows. Until I played this I used to think the idea of review bombing and being so harsh about a game you’d give it a 0 was unfair. But now? I finally understand the frustration of looking forward to a game, defending their creative decisions and then realizing I just got took for $59. So what to say to the other people here to review bomb? Don’t forget to leave a review from your Metacritic Red Account AND your Metacritic Blue Account (And Green, and Yellow, and Sapphire and Ruby....)!

    Seriously so upset for buying this game that I had to get the word out - DONT BUY THIS GAME. It’s a glitchy pile of frustration. This is not at all what was advertised and I feel like I was led to believe I would be getting a fully finished Switch game, not something that feels like it’s still in alpha testing. It’s such a disappointment. Wait for them to release a Fire Red Ultra Pokémon Sword 2 or whatever like they’ve done for nearly every game of the series to try and double dip. At least a future title might have some semblance of playability. As long as they keep getting people to buy the game like I did, and somehow keep getting these peculiarly strange stellar reviews from the big places like IGN, Gamespot, etc. they’ll keep cranking out unfinished crap like this. If any small company was to release such a limited, buggy, unfinished product they would be roasted in the critic reviews. But Pokémon feeds off your Gameboy Nostalgia days so it doesn’t matter what they throw out there, people here “pika pika” and reach for their wallets. Jigglypuff is gone, it’s time to WAKE UP. They were so afraid people would Return Pokémon Sword and Shield they took the move out of the game so as not to subliminally influence you!    … Expand
  83. abedejo
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    I hate everything about the game. I make account just to do this review. I want my money back. Give me my refund or I will never buy a game from Nintendo again!
  84. Achiyugo
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    Hilarious. The rating matches the percentage of Pokémon left in the game. RIP
  85. Kaiserbobasaur
    Nov 18, 2019
    2
    I wanted to love this game. And there are GREAT new Pokémon. Dreadnaw, Cramorant and Dragapault come to mind. However, this thing barely seems like a 3DS game. Terribly rendered graphics, a ton of Pokemon being left out, weird system bricking issues, and annoying side characters all combine to make the WORST mainline Pokémon game ever. Buy at your own risk, but don’t expect anI wanted to love this game. And there are GREAT new Pokémon. Dreadnaw, Cramorant and Dragapault come to mind. However, this thing barely seems like a 3DS game. Terribly rendered graphics, a ton of Pokemon being left out, weird system bricking issues, and annoying side characters all combine to make the WORST mainline Pokémon game ever. Buy at your own risk, but don’t expect an experience on the level of Black and White or even X and Y.… Expand
  86. DERPCOP
    Nov 18, 2019
    3
    This game is absolutely the worst Pokemon game I've ever played. I came in with an open mind but nothing can save this train wreck. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot to do in this game, and it also seems like there's less trainers to battle than any previous game in the series. The Dynamax is kind of cool, but the game just feels so empty that the negatives far outweigh the positives. IThis game is absolutely the worst Pokemon game I've ever played. I came in with an open mind but nothing can save this train wreck. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot to do in this game, and it also seems like there's less trainers to battle than any previous game in the series. The Dynamax is kind of cool, but the game just feels so empty that the negatives far outweigh the positives. I was really looking forward to this game but it's clear GameFreak don't know what they're doing anymore, stay far away from this game.… Expand
  87. Lavaman
    Nov 18, 2019
    0
    They didnt put any effort into these games it was all just a money scheme. Ive been a fan for 17 years but honestly i regret buying these game.. Going to return them
  88. Trajliner
    Nov 26, 2019
    0
    Game is really easy even someone who dont understan how it works can finish it without any problems.
    You should focus more on older people do not expect this is only for 6 old kids.I as 2-3 old kid finished a lot of games on SEGA without saves bcs they didnt exist back then.How game looks i dont care.
    Game is not evolving at all its really easy to change it upgrade combat system !!!.    Game is really easy even someone who dont understan how it works can finish it without any problems.
    You should focus more on older people do not expect this is only for 6 old kids.I as 2-3 old kid finished a lot of games on SEGA without saves bcs they didnt exist back then.How game looks i dont care.
    Game is not evolving at all its really easy to change it upgrade combat system !!!. New pokemon names and look is ridiculous. 0/10 Its better play yellow crystal then this.
    People who crating this game doesnt care bsc name Pokemon will sell this game anyway.......    … Expand
  89. Zool098
    Dec 8, 2019
    0
    Stop giving this game a 10/10 rating. All you're doing is making it worse and damaging the franchise. Do not encourage Gamefreak to stay lazy, we need to keep the score low so gamefreak sees we are not happy and actually put effort in their next game. You can enjoy this game all you want, but you can't ignore the objective flaws it has, such as the poor performance, poor graphics, poorStop giving this game a 10/10 rating. All you're doing is making it worse and damaging the franchise. Do not encourage Gamefreak to stay lazy, we need to keep the score low so gamefreak sees we are not happy and actually put effort in their next game. You can enjoy this game all you want, but you can't ignore the objective flaws it has, such as the poor performance, poor graphics, poor animation, cut Pokemon, no voice acting, lack of story, pop ins, poor textures, and many more problems. This game is a 6/10 at best, so let's keep the score and hope it sends the message to Gamefreak!… Expand
  90. piscesperiod
    Apr 30, 2021
    8
    Pokemon sword is not a fantastic game, it's a good game. A few new gimmicks, but the essence of the franchise remains untouched - catch and trade pokemon. The story is not all that impressive, but the fights are fun and the music is nice too.
  91. PoliLord
    Feb 26, 2021
    4
    When they said that we will have just some pokemon i felt sad but i really tried to forget that and give a chance to the game. The truth is that game is very beautiful when we speak about graphics and atmosphere of the pokemon universe but the difficulty is too easy and that fact take from us the hustle that was training to become a Master. The game is too easy to be remarkable
    The    When they said that we will have just some pokemon i felt sad but i really tried to forget that and give a chance to the game. The truth is that game is very beautiful when we speak about graphics and atmosphere of the pokemon universe but the difficulty is too easy and that fact take from us the hustle that was training to become a Master. The game is too easy to be remarkable
    The dinamax is too easy to counter, is just use sleep poder OR something similar
    I will not re-play the game    … Expand
  92. danisc23
    Nov 15, 2019
    4
    It's good to have a new main Pokemon game, I've started enjoying it a lot, but since the 3rd medal I've started to get bored of following the same pattern (Gym, Rival, History, Route, capture all new accesible Pokemon in wild area). I ended rushing the game.

    The idea of ​​being able to see the Pokemon in the world is great and I hope they keep it in future games. The open area is    It's good to have a new main Pokemon game, I've started enjoying it a lot, but since the 3rd medal I've started to get bored of following the same pattern (Gym, Rival, History, Route, capture all new accesible Pokemon in wild area). I ended rushing the game.

    The idea of ​​being able to see the Pokemon in the world is great and I hope they keep it in future games.

    The open area is really empty and there is nothing that motivates you to go beyond the limits of your level, there is no secret to discover or possibility to capture a strong Pokemon, it is not even worth it to level up your team.

    The history leaves no room for imagination, since the beginning the feeling of legend fades and the events and discoveries are too obvious. Also the game drives you in every step.

    The routes are short, with 4 or 5 enemies at most, this does not have to be something bad, it is preferable to a long and empty route, but they give the feeling of a small region, they also have no secret path, maybe a short detours to obtain an object.

    The cities and towns feels empty, not because of the NPCs despite they do not tell much but at least offer Pokemon exchanges or give you useful items. The problem is that, despite the changing environment between cities, they all offer exactly the same.

    In my opinion Galar has no personality, it is not a region that I will remember for its design or its cities, the NPCs do not tell anything about the region or about the town in which they live.

    Gyms are very easy, they all starts with a minigame (not always a puzzle) and then you fight against the leader, it would be nice if the leaders surprises you with the choice of Pokemon, for example if I go to a water-type gym it is very likely that I will go with an electric team, a counter pick from the gym leader would be fine to make this choice less obvious.

    About the difficulty of this game. As soon you stop to capture different creatures on each route or return to the open area every time they give you a new medal to capture creatures that you could not previously the level of your team goes well above the story.

    I have avoided any comments about the graphics, animations, or dexit, I like the game to keep its portable style. I think fans will ignore it this time, however GameFreak now knows what people are waiting for the new generation.

    The music is excellent, this soundtrack deserves a better game.    … Expand
  93. QueDuBonheur
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    This is by far the most disappointing Pokémon game of the main serie ever released. Game Freak laziness is an insult to the fans. it's by no means the most ugly and lazy exclusive on the Switch.

    + Artistic direction + Trainer customization + New pokémons - Cut content everywhere - Lot of techinal issues including clipping, wrong background, fps drops, crashs, time stop, bad distance    This is by far the most disappointing Pokémon game of the main serie ever released. Game Freak laziness is an insult to the fans. it's by no means the most ugly and lazy exclusive on the Switch.

    + Artistic direction
    + Trainer customization
    + New pokémons
    - Cut content everywhere
    - Lot of techinal issues including clipping, wrong background, fps drops, crashs, time stop, bad distance view, etc.
    - Linear and holds your hand
    - Story not engaging
    - Almost no post-game
    - Braindead difficulty even for a child
    And the list go on and on and on...

    You should avoid this or at least be prepared for a very underwhelming experience.    … Expand
  94. Michiehm
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    Not bad but not great either, shortest Pokémon game I played unfortunately
  95. Kaedro
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    This game is a joke. Less than half the Pokemon. Terrible animations. Some pokemon moves were not included. Camera is not controllable in most places. There are barely any side-quests. Etc. Don't waste your money.
  96. gustave154
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    Game Freak lied this game is not what they advertised it to be and they deserve to be getting no sales for their actions. Pokemon fans need to be treated better.
  97. MikoloPulo
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    This game is rushed and unfinished. No matter how many times they try and say otherwise, this game was rush out of the door, since Pokemon game releases are tied to merchandise and such (I mean, Pokemon is the highest grossing franchise for a reason). But because of this, we get a subpar entry, which lots of cut content, awful graphics, and a lot of decisions that will make you go: "What the ****
  98. Braduk
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    The worst pokemon game ever, launched with lie, and obvious lack of effort from Gamefreak.
  99. AlexTheAwesome
    Nov 15, 2019
    4
    It's the first time I tried to stay far away from a Pokémon game but someone sent me a copy so I had to play it. It is a game that I will despise for years to come but the thing is though: If we keep buying these more mediocre Pokémon games then Game Freak won't fix a damn thing. So it's sorta our fault for this but that doesn't mean people aren't unhappy. It looks like an N64 game most ofIt's the first time I tried to stay far away from a Pokémon game but someone sent me a copy so I had to play it. It is a game that I will despise for years to come but the thing is though: If we keep buying these more mediocre Pokémon games then Game Freak won't fix a damn thing. So it's sorta our fault for this but that doesn't mean people aren't unhappy. It looks like an N64 game most of the time and it has many framerate issues and glitches. I replayed Let's Go recently and while I don't think it's a good game I can respect it for what kind of game it is. I can't be easy on this game though as it is meant for the hardcore Pokémon fans (like me) and it is just a slugfest when it works and a train-wreck when it doesn't work (which is most of the time). To think that IGN gave this game a 9.3/10, a higher score than Uncharted 4, Doom 2016, The Outer Worlds, and plenty of other fantastic games (including older Pokémon games) is baffling and it isn't just IGN that I'm throwing under the bus. GameSpot, Kotaku and many more critics are all to blame for the bad information. In fact IGN lied that you can for the first time skip tutorials but that's not true. In Pokémon Gold And Silver you could skip tutorials and those games are considered the best by many hardcore fans. The big problem is that national dex though and it's not because it is there (remember Sun and Moon didn't have it either) but in Sun and Moon you could still bring any Pokémon you wanted which you can't do anymore. The big issue though is the fact that they lied about the animations which is why they said they removed it. When I saw that video on twitter of Zamazenta I cringed so hard that I was about to cancel my preorder. No matter how much you love Game Freak you can't deny that they lied and were maliciously trying to bank off of people's nostalgia which is gone because you can't even catch them all. 2019 has been a mess for gaming with the Doom DRM crisis, Modern Warfare exclusivity deal with Sony, Anthem sucked so bad, Blizzard banning Blitzchung and the list just goes on and on. This is the cherry on top of the cake finishing off a terrible year in gaming and this is a mistake that Game Freak will not catch because the game has already sold like 6 million copies. Seriously I can't believe we got a bad Pokémon game on the same day as an actually not terrible and pretty decent Star Wars game from EA of all things. Save your money and tell Game Freak this is not what we want and I wasted my own $59.99 to tell you this. Game Freak has made plenty of great games in the past and even recently but this just isn't one of them.… Expand
  100. JuegoG2
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    Este juego solo lo defiende mi nostalgia ,porque desde hace mucho tiempo dejo de ser divertido, la banda musical, su pobres animaciones , los pokemon poco originales y el recorte que hicieron, me doy cuenta que es una compra sin sentido.
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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.
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  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]
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