User Score
4.0

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 2050 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Dec 27, 2022
    4
    PROS:
    - Open world pokemon game
    - Wild exploration improvement - Accessibility improvement - Good soundtrack CONS: - Ugly graphics, Pokemon X/Y (2013) looks better - They changed the iconic humans art style from the series (why? It's like removing Akira Toriyama's art style from Dragon Quest saga) - NPCs design are ugly with few exceptions - Bad performance, some crashes, bugs
    PROS:
    - Open world pokemon game
    - Wild exploration improvement
    - Accessibility improvement
    - Good soundtrack

    CONS:
    - Ugly graphics, Pokemon X/Y (2013) looks better
    - They changed the iconic humans art style from the series (why? It's like removing Akira Toriyama's art style from Dragon Quest saga)
    - NPCs design are ugly with few exceptions
    - Bad performance, some crashes, bugs and frame drops
    - The new pokémon design is ridiculous and they don't look like monsters anymore (a half motorcycle lizard? who had this idea? a 5 years old kid?)
    - The new cities are forgettable, they have no content, the houses no longer have interior, there is no reason to explore
    - Gym challenges are pathetic
    - Visual issues like texture pop in or NPCs and distant objects running at 5 FPS

    CONCLUSION:
    - Rushed game with good and bad decisions, sacrifices quality in favor of innovation
    Expand
  2. Dec 27, 2022
    0
    The game is very good but unfinished. It's still unplayable, 1.5 month after release.
  3. Dec 27, 2022
    8
    Nintendo could be releasing two more interesting games for the Switch with Pokémon Crimson and Purple. The storylines turned out well and propel us well through the game. The new features also work well and the approaches are fitting as well. Thanks to the simple game concept, both games are just fun and it motivates enormously to keep playing. The graphical presentation is rather weak andNintendo could be releasing two more interesting games for the Switch with Pokémon Crimson and Purple. The storylines turned out well and propel us well through the game. The new features also work well and the approaches are fitting as well. Thanks to the simple game concept, both games are just fun and it motivates enormously to keep playing. The graphical presentation is rather weak and we actually hoped for more. At least the background music can score points again. Those who would like to play with Pokémons again should take a closer look at "Pokémon Crimson and Purple". Other players should rather try out the title at the moment. Expand
  4. Dec 26, 2022
    1
    Game is broken, first Pokémon game I’ve played since diamond and Pearl and wanted that old Pokémon experience again. I have not wanted to play any of the 3D console Pokémon games but decided to give violet a try and I regret my purchase. Buggy game, ugly Pokémon models, 30 fps is a joke, the list problems on but the worst offense is how generic the entire game zones and world look.
  5. Dec 26, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Visually looks like a beta at most, some areas you can clearly see the repetition of the same texture all over a mountain, with no fine-tunning whatsoever. Glitches and small errors all over the place. I found visual mistakes with pretty much any aspect of the game, specially on menus and the Pokédex.
    Gameplay is ok-ish (being generous), mount is incredibly slow even when "fast". The glide mechanic is nerfed to the absurd for some reason. Teraraids (offline) are wonky, turns are unpredictable and "allies" do absolutely nothing when the player is out.
    Pokédex is useless, can't search or filter, you have to go through everything each time you want to look for something.
    I wasn't expecting something on "Nintendo-seal-of-quality" level, but this is even worse than Sword/Shield in terms of "polished".
    Expand
  6. Dec 26, 2022
    0
    Just lost 70 eggs from half an hours worth of progress all because I joined my girlfriends group and opened THE MAP and by the way auto save WAS ON why would a game not automatically save when joining someone else’s game, it’s a basic thing that is standard in every game that has the same mechanic. A game should not be released in a condition where opening the map crashes the game letJust lost 70 eggs from half an hours worth of progress all because I joined my girlfriends group and opened THE MAP and by the way auto save WAS ON why would a game not automatically save when joining someone else’s game, it’s a basic thing that is standard in every game that has the same mechanic. A game should not be released in a condition where opening the map crashes the game let alone a game where I get crashes on it at-least 3 times a day on my 5 month old new OLED,

    When I first started the game my skybox wasn’t even there that’s how broken this game is, I’m tired of defending this game I really do like it but I can’t give it any redeemable points because it simply isn’t complete enough to classify as a game. It is absolutely ridiculous that a game can be released in this condition… I’ve constantly fought against the complaining Pokémon fanbase for years as I think this game is really fun and has so much potential but you absolutely cannot play it at the minute , it is not worth half price and yet they are charging so much for a game that has only been play tested on high tech industry switches and not consumer ones.

    If the game is fixed I will give it a rating higher than 0
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  7. Dec 26, 2022
    8
    Rubbish bugs and issues aside, it's the most enjoyable iteration of Pokémon so far. Also, robot motorcycle dude is better Scarlet's version.
  8. Dec 26, 2022
    5
    The game looks glitchy and empty. The map is empty, the cities are empty, all the npcs are useless and doest say anything interesting. You cant customise your character that much, in fact during the online matches we trainers look all the same. The plot is quite interesting but the difficult is set too low. The raids are glithcy as well a
  9. Dec 26, 2022
    2
    It was one of the worst gaming experience i ever had, it is ugly, slow and repetitive, the story is ok and music is good, the three "stories" are not really stories but 3 main quests, and the frame rate can go down to 10 fps, even with ugly graphics and an empty world with nothing to do. Do not buy
  10. Dec 25, 2022
    9
    Sim, o jogo possuí problemas que todos já sabem, queda de fps, bugs de de cenários etc, mas cá entre nós, o jogo é maravilhosamente divertido.
    Muitos pokemon novos, jogabilidade renovada, um mundo aberto gigantesco, enfim, a sensação de jogar um Pokemon evoluído está presente e para quem é fan da série vai se divertir mesmo com os problemas que realmente existem.
    Tecnicamente o jogo tem
    Sim, o jogo possuí problemas que todos já sabem, queda de fps, bugs de de cenários etc, mas cá entre nós, o jogo é maravilhosamente divertido.
    Muitos pokemon novos, jogabilidade renovada, um mundo aberto gigantesco, enfim, a sensação de jogar um Pokemon evoluído está presente e para quem é fan da série vai se divertir mesmo com os problemas que realmente existem.
    Tecnicamente o jogo tem seus problemas mas a diversão é garantida.
    Expand
  11. Dec 24, 2022
    9
    While there certainly are quite a preposterous , unholy amounts of bugs , the main essence of the game remains unaltered , if you have the patience to finish it. The story is outright brilliant , it just is all concentrated at the very end. Game could get repetitive until then , but the basic pokemon gameplay formula didnt bore me for 9 generations , so it won't do now. Most designs IWhile there certainly are quite a preposterous , unholy amounts of bugs , the main essence of the game remains unaltered , if you have the patience to finish it. The story is outright brilliant , it just is all concentrated at the very end. Game could get repetitive until then , but the basic pokemon gameplay formula didnt bore me for 9 generations , so it won't do now. Most designs I enjoyed quite a lot , and the soundtrack is straight fire. The only think keeping me back from giving a 10 is the lack of proper level scaling in an open world game. I'm certain the bugs will get fixed , albeit months later. Expand
  12. Dec 24, 2022
    0
    Worst game ive played in my life. Literally gamecube tier graphics in 2022 at 15fps and on top of that its ugly as **** Pokemons spawn at like 2m im not even joking huh dont even consider buying this bullcrap. Do the world a favor and pirate the game.
  13. Dec 23, 2022
    0
    Absurda quantidade de bugs que estragam a experiência, além de um design de mundo POBRE e sem sequer legendas em PT-BR
  14. Dec 22, 2022
    8
    This is the most fun and innovative pokemon game. I also think this is a good artstyle for pokemon going forward if they continue to improve and polish it. Unfortunately this game suffers from many technical issues and is extremely rough around the edges and was released in an unacceptable form.
  15. Dec 22, 2022
    8
    This game is a disaster from a technical standpoint, but that's more of a Switch hardware issue if anything. This is a definite step back forward for Pokemon. Best game since ORAS!
  16. Dec 22, 2022
    8
    I started playing this game 1 month later from the release, so I did not experience all the bad stuff with it. Yes, it has bugs and glitches as any other open world game.... You cant expect perfection WTF guys???
    The story is great imo, and the open world feels very good... you can explore EVERYTHING in the map, despite some games, and find different pokemon all over the place. It is
    I started playing this game 1 month later from the release, so I did not experience all the bad stuff with it. Yes, it has bugs and glitches as any other open world game.... You cant expect perfection WTF guys???
    The story is great imo, and the open world feels very good... you can explore EVERYTHING in the map, despite some games, and find different pokemon all over the place. It is still very far away from a true open world, specially in at this time but it is a very good attempt.
    As a pokemon fan, this game is worth it... but if you are poor, do not buy it!!!
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  17. Dec 22, 2022
    10
    Great game the last time I enjoyed another Pokemon game to this extent was probably Emerald.
  18. Dec 20, 2022
    8
    My version didn't have all the bugs and performance issues for whatever reason. Played oh most entirely on handheld with an OLED switch.
    My entire play through didn't have a single crash, no lag, nothing. So not really sure what all the fuss was about.
    I really enjoyed my experience with this. I rolled credits I think around 60 hours with 320 Pokémon caught. I loved the collecting but
    My version didn't have all the bugs and performance issues for whatever reason. Played oh most entirely on handheld with an OLED switch.
    My entire play through didn't have a single crash, no lag, nothing. So not really sure what all the fuss was about.

    I really enjoyed my experience with this. I rolled credits I think around 60 hours with 320 Pokémon caught. I loved the collecting but getting them all really isn't for me so I'm happy stopping here. I had a full team of dragon Pokémon with a Tsareena as my main team and even then felt quite a challenge. I actually lost more battles in this game more then any other. I also didn't cheese it and kept my Pokémon that I played with consistent with the level to the area and gym and didn't use potions during combat just for the extra challenge.

    This had a good open world feel especially the more movement abilities you unlock. Traversing and stumbling on Pokémon was so much fun. I also really enjoyed grinding to evolve some pokemons to try out and switch up my team a bit. The Lets Go feature was so helpful to help with some grind when I wasn't in the mood.

    Overall, yeah, not mind blowing, Arcaeus is still way better but this was a good game for me that I'd totally recommend.
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  19. Dec 20, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. THIS GAME SUCKS

    THE TERA RAIDS ARE RIGGED AND THERE ARE TOO MANY BUGS

    IVE BEEN PLAYING A LOT OF THE GAME AND I FINALLY BECAME CHAMPION, AND THE FRAMERATE IS GARBAGE AND THE TERA RAID POKEMON IN 5 STAR TERA RAIDS ARE JUST ATTACKING TWICE AND HEALING WHEN I ONE SHOT A 4 STAR POKEMON TERA RAID

    **** THIS GAME 0/10
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  20. Dec 20, 2022
    0
    Bad gad, game freak released an alpha game or even a beta game

    It is a shame, I requested a refund from Nintendo
  21. Dec 19, 2022
    10
    i like the game so addictive. I have no problem about the game. still worth it
  22. Dec 19, 2022
    8
    good game but bad graphic, low frame rate and a good number of glithes

    Story in general: (7/10). Gang war story: (6/10). big pokemon story (8/10). the gym story (7.5/10)

    carachter are a (8/10) pokemon of this gen (7/10)

    wished it add more time in developent
  23. Dec 19, 2022
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game was ok I loved the added pokemon however, the game felt so empty... Sure we had 3 storylines do the gym challenge to become champion and defeat the new team star and get the legendary... pretty basic stuff for a Pokemon game ....but that was it really... After a while it just kinda became repetitive wandering this vast empty world the game appeared to have so much we could do but it just fell blank... I enjoyed the character designs however I believe we shouldn't have been set to a uniform... Yeah maybe we could change our uniform when we're in school however we where stuck in the same few outfits...we could add accessories but that's really it... It was disappointing to say the least Expand
  24. Dec 18, 2022
    0
    I can't believe Nintendo let games like these be published. Performance is the worst I've ever seen. I dropped Arceus after 3 hours, this one was even quicker. Pokemòn is dead. Ty GameFreak.
  25. Dec 18, 2022
    3
    Technical issues and you have to spam A to get through the most tedious story that I've encountered in a Pokemon game.
  26. Dec 18, 2022
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The only good thing that this game has is that some of the new designs are cool, the rest sucks, everything from the game and level design to the story (which i don't think is surprising at all at this point), i just wish they took the few things that legend arceus had to give and made a decent game. Expand
  27. Dec 18, 2022
    3
    The negative reviews are certainly justified. There actually is a 2+ hour dialogue fest that gates you from actually playing the game. Third scripted battle with my rival, and Spriggy drops right through the world. That was one of several game breaking bugs I had the displeasure if discovering. HOWEVER; there are some things that really make me wonder what this game could have been. TheThe negative reviews are certainly justified. There actually is a 2+ hour dialogue fest that gates you from actually playing the game. Third scripted battle with my rival, and Spriggy drops right through the world. That was one of several game breaking bugs I had the displeasure if discovering. HOWEVER; there are some things that really make me wonder what this game could have been. The soundtrack, for example, is very good. Not the BEST Pokémon score, but it’s pretty dang good. Arven’s storyline/questline and character are spectacular. And of course, Fidough’s very existence is a blessing.

    This game is a mess. There are bugs, glitches, and cut corners everywhere. The big overarching story is a slog to get through. The first few HOURS of the game is all dialogue and cutscenes that can’t be skipped. I solemnly yet whole-heartedly say that I can’t recommend this game. It’s a shame, but this is an absolutely awful addition to such a beloved franchise.
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  28. Dec 11, 2022
    10
    I love how people prefer an ugly outdated and bad game over an unfinished game but with great potential and waiting for future updates. Ironically the market says everything. This is the best pokemon game has been made so far. Give it some time people
  29. Dec 17, 2022
    7
    What a shame game, one of the most fun in the saga that is affected by how bad it is, apart from being ugly it looks really bad, with exaggerated drops in fps and textures that make you dizzy. If you try to forget about all that, it is very very entertaining and has a story that is possibly the best in the series (After BW and BW2)
  30. Dec 17, 2022
    1
    Pokemon have officially become a cash-grabbing name than a change-your-kid's-life name. Nothing about this game is fun, it has horrid graphics that just look unfinished, and the buggy game-play is just so frustrating! Pokemon wasted their time on this game by not putting in any time or effort into this at all. They tried to take advantage of the "Pokemon Legends Arceus" success, and makePokemon have officially become a cash-grabbing name than a change-your-kid's-life name. Nothing about this game is fun, it has horrid graphics that just look unfinished, and the buggy game-play is just so frustrating! Pokemon wasted their time on this game by not putting in any time or effort into this at all. They tried to take advantage of the "Pokemon Legends Arceus" success, and make another open-world game for Generation IX. Also, the pokemon look terrible! Expand
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 118 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 118
  2. Negative: 2 out of 118
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 24, 2024
    60
    Not a bad game. It still has its solid core, new Pokémon, and what's worked for years continues to work. The open world is a questionable addition in my opinion. [Issue#324]
  2. Dec 14, 2023
    70
    Pokemon Scarlet and Violet take the long-awaited step into a fully open-world, but one poorly implemented and marred by frustration. A compelling story and characters are a saving grace in what is ultimately a fun game, but Pokemon's attempts at modernising continue to fall disappointingly short.
  3. Jul 31, 2023
    20
    A square wheel spins more smoothly and fluidly than this game. If three Pokémon or characters come into view at once, the whole game creaks and falters. Edge-off unplayable. And that's a shame. Because the addition of an open world is "on paper" a puffy idea to refresh the franchise. No more linear walking that takes you past gyms and ever stronger and different Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all. You can go wherever you want. With some tactics, you can take on some very tough challenges with Pokémon that aren't nearly strong enough. Fun! Except this game just wasn't ready. It's shameless that Nintendo and Game Freak are still throwing it on the market. Nevertheless: 10 million games sold in just three days.