Pokemon UNITE

 Switch
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Screen Rant
    Jul 25, 2021
    40
    While Pokémon Unite offers a new way for fans to enjoy Pokémon battles together, the frustrating limitations created to encourage microtransactions make gameplay less about having fun and more about completing missions for currency. While it may appeal to fans of mobile app-style games with a similar structure, those who want the ability to experience everything Pokémon Unite has to offer without spending money will need to sink a large amount of time into grinding before having the means to truly access most features. With improvements to the ability to earn currency and a better item level system tied to use in battle instead of paid upgrades, Pokémon Unite would be a more enjoyable experience for players.
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  1. ComicBook
    Aug 1, 2021
    I've enjoyed my experience in Pokemon Unite, and I feel that the core 5v5 matches are definitely something that players can sink a lot of hours into. The gameplay is a bit more forgiving than League of Legends to newcomers, but you'll still have to work to figure out how to master a particular Pokemon's skills and fit them into a wider team strategy. The pay-to-win criticisms lobbied by the fans are valid and are concerning given the Pokemon franchise's younger demographic. If Tencent can tweak their revenue strategy to make it so that players don't need to pay money in a free-to-play game in order to compete, than Pokemon Unite should have a long shelflife and could be Nintendo's first successful foray into the MOBA competitive scene.
  2. Polygon
    Sep 28, 2021
    Pokémon Unite is at its most enjoyable when dedicated players are going head to head. I was looking for a game to play but fell into an entirely new hobby unto itself. I picked up Unite for the Pokémon but ended up staying for a compelling new challenge. It gave me the opportunity (and the excuse) to apply myself and learn to play a MOBA well. And when it comes to MOBAs, that’s no simple feat.

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 332 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 86 out of 332
  2. Mixed: 50 out of 332
  3. Negative: 196 out of 332
  1. Buwaro
    Jul 22, 2021
    3
    Tldr, the game will shower you with free stuff for the first two weeks and easy challenges to work through, and even then it's very meager forTldr, the game will shower you with free stuff for the first two weeks and easy challenges to work through, and even then it's very meager for what you really need to unlock more stuff. However after those two weeks you'll progress so slow you be forced to spend money to keep up. Unfortunately this game has to be recommended to avoid… Full Review »
  2. mah_eyes
    Jul 22, 2021
    3
    Pokemon unite has everything it needs to be a good game but things like the gold cap, the ingame timer (which makes it almost impossible to doPokemon unite has everything it needs to be a good game but things like the gold cap, the ingame timer (which makes it almost impossible to do comebacks) or items that are purchasble through microtransactions hinder the games fun factor imensely. It feels like the game developor tried to hinder you as much as possible to have a fun time. I hope they change certain things to help it in the long run or i fear it will be another nintendo rep that will die down just as fast as others before it… Full Review »
  3. AmigoGrenouille
    Jul 24, 2021
    3
    Edit: I changed my score after learning just how bad the freemium aspects are. A fully kitted out item set gives a player such a ridiculousEdit: I changed my score after learning just how bad the freemium aspects are. A fully kitted out item set gives a player such a ridiculous advantage that it trivializes the game. For a game with casual controls to force players to grind so endlessly or pay up up to $100 just to keep up, that's just unforgivable. This could have been a chance for a pokemon game with pure fun gameplay without any baggage, but I guess that was just too good to be true.

    For a MOBA, it's very accessible. Controls are very easy and the moment-to-moment gameplay is simple to understand. Definitely made with children in mind. The unique mechanics are a bit odd and have some balancing issues. The game favors steamrolling, if a group of enemies win a teamfight and all score, they instantly get to full health and there isn't much your team can do about it.

    The mechanics are well-explained but the meta and objectives are poorly directed. Nobody's really sure where to go and it's easy to forget that you don't make any progress defeating enemies without getting points and scoring, which can be unfairly difficult if you're pushed back by a steamrolling team. Especially so with the 10-minute timer, which makes the game more casual but makes comebacks very rare.

    Outside the gameplay, there's classic Tencent scummy freemium practices. The game entices you with beginner quests that dry up and rewards will become scarce. I expect opinion of the game to go down sharply after the 14th day of its existence.    … Full Review »
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