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. Nintenderos
    Jul 22, 2021
    87
    Pokémon Unite is an almost perfect game, although it can be improved if The Pokémon Company knows how to take advantage of its possibilities. In fact, the future content will determine whether it will be another success of the popular franchise.
  2. CD-Action
    Oct 12, 2021
    85
    Pokémon Unite is the first attempt at creating a MOBA with the pocket monsters – and I must admit it’s a successful one. The game is fast and intense, but also easy to get a grip on. I don’t expect it to take the esports scene by storm, but it’s very enjoyable and works great in a doctor’s waiting room or on the bus. As for me, I can’t force myself to stop playing Pokémon Unite and hope the developers will keep updating it. [10/2021, p.61]
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  3. KeenGamer
    Aug 6, 2021
    85
    Pokemon UNITE brought in some unique elements to the MOBA genre with its game-changing objectives, memorable roster, and simplified progressive system. And with the Pokemon brand being a very popular IP that people around the world know and love, Pokemon UNITE deserves a heartwarming welcome to the MOBA genre. Younger audiences and Pokemon fans at heart will sure have a blast playing this game.
  5. App Trigger
    Jul 22, 2021
    85
    Pokemon Unite busts out the gate as a very solid, very easy to pick up and play MOBA game. Even as someone who does not like MOBAs, I found myself getting really into the rounds and figuring out the tools quickly. Cute visuals, fun unlockables and a fun variety of play styles keep matches fresh and a quick chat feature helps avoid the toxicity that normally sticks to MOBAs like glue.
  6. Vandal
    Aug 14, 2021
    80
    Considering it’s full of in-app purchases, Pokémon Unite is a surprisingly good MOBA, thanks to its fast-paced designed and its deep but accessible gameplay.
  7. Game Informer
    Jul 30, 2021
    80
    Pokémon Unite is a fun way to spend your time despite these frustrations. The game eats away the hours of my day as I reassuringly say to myself, “Just one more match.” Battles play out with the spectacle that the Pokémon series is known for, and with so many abilities to choose from, no match feels the same as the last. The game’s simple mechanics and recognizable characters make for an approachable MOBA experience; and with a potential catalog of nearly 900 Pokémon to pick from, my hopes are high for the future of Pokémon Unite.
  8. But Why Tho?
    Jul 25, 2021
    80
    Pokemon Unite is a fun, streamlined entry in the MOBA genre. It has something to offer both long-time franchise fans, as well as MOBA players who may be looking for something fun and rewarding, while not demanding their all to keep up with. And since it’s free, if what you have read sounds at all enticing why not give it a try. You don’t even need the Nintendo Switch Online service to play.
  9. iMore
    Jul 23, 2021
    80
    Pokémon Unite is a surprisingly fun introduction to the MOBA genre, but it has microtransactions that verge on unacceptable.
  10. TheGamer
    Jul 22, 2021
    80
    I have my nitpicks, although I’m not too proud to admit that they are drastically outweighed by my predilections. Pokemon Unite is a game I can see myself playing for a long time - just add Blastoise to the roster already, eh? I’m dying to see what a Unite move with massive reptilian shoulder cannons looks like.
  11. Multiplayer.it
    Jul 25, 2021
    78
    Pokémon Unite is a very solid, very easy to pick up and play MOBA game, more surprising than we thought. We hope that microtransactions will not pose a wall between players who are willing to spend and those who are not.
  12. MGG Spain
    Jul 28, 2021
    76
    Pokémon Unite is a superb game and also a terrifying micropayment store. While it remains up in the air whether we will have more generous challenges and events in the future, and even a revamp of the reward system, there is no doubt that greed makes worse a MOBA for Nintendo Switch that playably is impeccable.
  13. RPG Fan
    Nov 29, 2021
    75
    Overall, Pokémon UNITE is a MOBA with a lot of potential. It’s already great as a casual game with friends, but I believe with some tweaking to Zapdos and removal of the “pay for held item upgrades” option, a strong competitive MOBA lives in Pokémon UNITE. Until then, it’s hard to call it much more than an above-average entry in the crowded MOBA space.
  14. Jeuxvideo.com
    Jul 26, 2021
    75
    By leveraging the power of the franchise and accessible gameplay, Pokémon Unite has established itself as a successful MOBA. Simple without being simplistic, it can be a perfect entry point for newbies. However, it's pretty clear that Tencent's title will need to inflate its content in the coming months to keep players engaged. As it stands, the low number of Pokémon limits the situations encountered and may make games boring. Still, Pokémon Unite already has a solid foundation and is just waiting for content to evolve into a staple of its kind with the general public.
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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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