Pokemon Violet

 Switch
User Score
4.0

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 2050 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 635 out of 2050
  2. Mixed: 205 out of 2050
  3. Negative: 1,210 out of 2050
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  1. pablolrferreira
    Nov 22, 2022
    4
    I think we deserved a better product from Nintendo and Game Freak. The game has a good gameplay and is an evolution in terms of mechanics and progression. But the game's technical quality is painful: full of bugs, constant frame rate drops, lots of blurry graphics; the open world areas are pretty poor and ugly in terms of design; the open world is empty and generic. I bought it andI think we deserved a better product from Nintendo and Game Freak. The game has a good gameplay and is an evolution in terms of mechanics and progression. But the game's technical quality is painful: full of bugs, constant frame rate drops, lots of blurry graphics; the open world areas are pretty poor and ugly in terms of design; the open world is empty and generic. I bought it and felt cheated as a consumer: from the trailers, one would think the game was more polished and beautiful. And here is the surprise of the final result: a product of poor quality, graphically speaking, although with good gameplay.… Expand
  2. kristinaformer
    Nov 22, 2022
    0
    The game glitches horribly its slow horrible pixels during crystal transformation to the point I don't even wanna do it. The lack of clothing makes me sad like that was my favorite part of the new Pokemon games. Quit pumping out new games just to make quick cash and take time with them. From a Pokemon fan since red and blue do better. i forced myself to put a few hours in but i had toThe game glitches horribly its slow horrible pixels during crystal transformation to the point I don't even wanna do it. The lack of clothing makes me sad like that was my favorite part of the new Pokemon games. Quit pumping out new games just to make quick cash and take time with them. From a Pokemon fan since red and blue do better. i forced myself to put a few hours in but i had to delete it i erased my data and uninstalled it. it just made me sick and sad to see it sitting on my switches homepage. all future pokemon games for me will be bought physically from now on to ensure that I am able to return it if it turns out to be a dumpster fire like violet and scarlet.… Expand
  3. Elekx
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    Game works Very Bad and looks even worse. I think People from game freak can make once a good game not something like this.
  4. TheDude222
    Nov 23, 2022
    1
    It's just so frustrating that there's probably an amazing game here but I can't play it without feeling sick from how poor the performance is
  5. DuneK
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    The graphic issues on this are ridiculous. Cannot go a few minutes without them popping up.
  6. DecoXI
    Nov 23, 2022
    4
    4 only because there are new pokemon, during my gameplay the game crashed 3 times on my oled switch, never a game had crashed on my switch.
    Not to mention the constant 15 fps that the game offers in doc mode.
    try after a 2 hour session on this game to start zelda breath of the wild to feel the difference between these two open worlds exclusive nintendo switch games
  7. Billiborg
    Nov 23, 2022
    1
    Outrageous, the worst Pokemon game (in terms of achievement), really a shame. I was hoping for something decent after Arceus, but that's how it went. It would have been enough to sell it with the pre-Alpha wording and everything would have been fine haha
  8. jakido
    Nov 24, 2022
    2
    Bugs, lag and empty world, don't waste your time on thus game, best option.
  9. Andre787
    Nov 26, 2022
    2
    Fun to play, but the numerous bugs, glitches and terrible graphic, makes it almost unplayable…
  10. Ranma12
    Nov 22, 2022
    0
    as a lifelong Pokemon fan, this game is simply unacceptable. We are talking about the greatest franchise of all times, with the highest gross revenue. For the people defending with "but is the switch, but is a new challenge with the open world but but but " . This is not a matter of preferences or tastes, this game lacks the very fundamental aspects of a decent quality checked AAAas a lifelong Pokemon fan, this game is simply unacceptable. We are talking about the greatest franchise of all times, with the highest gross revenue. For the people defending with "but is the switch, but is a new challenge with the open world but but but " . This is not a matter of preferences or tastes, this game lacks the very fundamental aspects of a decent quality checked AAA product, which is basically a fraud. endorsing this company for this product is insulting toward the good programmers out there doing their jobs or companies not made blind with greed .… Expand
  11. Nilaul
    Dec 7, 2022
    0
    Although the game is fun, it is unplayable due to glitches, bugs and poor optimisation. Nothing to do with how powerful the switch is, but developers simply not going though their code and properly optimizing it, as evident by other more demanding switch games both running perfectly and looking great.
  12. Lucasmduarte
    Nov 24, 2022
    0
    I'm sorry but until they patch this game it is getting 0 from me!! Such a massive step down!! Fully messy crash grab! 120 Billion franchise!!
  13. fluffyparfait
    Nov 24, 2022
    2
    This game is in an unacceptable state. The Pokemon designs are five times worst than any other generation for some reason. Every time I get to new area, I don't feel excited to a find a new pokemon, only disappointed. The environments look way too similar as well.

    I have also crashed multiple times, have been softlocked. It is not rare at all. I don't understand how anyone can give this    This game is in an unacceptable state. The Pokemon designs are five times worst than any other generation for some reason. Every time I get to new area, I don't feel excited to a find a new pokemon, only disappointed. The environments look way too similar as well.

    I have also crashed multiple times, have been softlocked. It is not rare at all. I don't understand how anyone can give this game a positive review. Even with the glimmers of a good formula, It takes ten steps back so that anything positive about the game fades out of existence in my mind.    … Expand
  14. DrgnMastr386
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    The state of the game that Game Freak released is like a Gyarados. It's atrocious!
  15. Gilly8163
    Nov 23, 2022
    2
    Please fix this game, I have encountered enough glitches and bugs. Every pokemon I had just simply disappeared from my party, trainers fell under the map, and the fps was by far the worst part. Obviously the switch can't handle large worlds, oh wait, zelda breathe of the wild had a huge map and had almost zero problems with fps but pokemon cannot handle it at all. A pokemon game that camePlease fix this game, I have encountered enough glitches and bugs. Every pokemon I had just simply disappeared from my party, trainers fell under the map, and the fps was by far the worst part. Obviously the switch can't handle large worlds, oh wait, zelda breathe of the wild had a huge map and had almost zero problems with fps but pokemon cannot handle it at all. A pokemon game that came out before violet (Legends Arceus) looked amazing and had near to zero problems at launch with a great fps. The story of violet however is great and is a little bit different compared to previous games. The only thing that needs fixing is how the game runs. The price feels like a huge slap in my face too. Fix this game.… Expand
  16. Southernhammer
    Nov 20, 2022
    2
    Just not finished. Game looks absolutely dreadful and runs so poorly. After the success of Legends Arceus, this game had a lot more to live up to and it just failed miserably. The game itself can be fun if a little predicable but the performance and glitches make it borderline unplayable
  17. Galiansias
    Nov 22, 2022
    1
    This is the first game in Switch I had that closes "by an error". Broken game
  18. TwilightWind
    Nov 28, 2022
    0
    Everyone who defended, apologized for, excused or otherwise allowed Sword/Shield to be the highest selling entries in the Pokemon series shares blame for how Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are. This utterly broken, buggy mess does not deserve to be placed in the same league as games I would consider a 2/10.
  19. plop159
    Nov 24, 2022
    1
    the poor technical aspect ruins the whole game ! it's a shame, and even if it's super ugly, the framerate is always below 30FPS.
  20. Lucifer45
    Nov 25, 2022
    0
    THE MOST PROFITABLE IP IN THE WORLD, AND GF GIVE US THIS SHXT, HELLO?
    They definitely have enough money to get it right, but they chose not to.
    Why bothered? A garbage with pokemon's name can gain money, it's how successful this IP was.
    So disapointed with the poor quality.
  21. SleeperHold
    Nov 22, 2022
    1
    Runs like a N64 game, looks like a Ps3 game. Nintendo should be embarrassed!
  22. eugenji
    Nov 23, 2022
    2
    10 von 10 Game, wenn nicht ...
    - Low FPS
    - Spiel bleibt manchmal für 1-5 Sek hängen - FPS Drops/Stutter - mehrere Abstürze (vermutlich DER Grund, weshalb das Spiel ständig automatisch speichert) - der letzte Bereich kommt aus der Hölle. Leer, trist und PS2 Niveau, falls überhaupt - Glitches, vor allem im letzten Bereich. - Clipping Fehler - und noch soviel mehr Man kann mit    10 von 10 Game, wenn nicht ...
    - Low FPS
    - Spiel bleibt manchmal für 1-5 Sek hängen
    - FPS Drops/Stutter
    - mehrere Abstürze (vermutlich DER Grund, weshalb das Spiel ständig automatisch speichert)
    - der letzte Bereich kommt aus der Hölle. Leer, trist und PS2 Niveau, falls überhaupt
    - Glitches, vor allem im letzten Bereich.
    - Clipping Fehler
    - und noch soviel mehr

    Man kann mit Freunden spielen, wenn dann nicht...
    - es gibt keine Freundesliste
    - Man setzt auf ein Passwortbasiertes System, aber
    - man kann nicht einfach einer Session joinen. Man muss unbedingt bei einem Pokecenter sein und wird im Anschluss dann "irgendwohin" geportet
    - Ist mal die Verbindung weg (weil z.B. Pause gemacht, Absturz), dann kann man NICHT mehr in die alte Session rein. Diese muss abgebrochen werden und ... siehe oben.

    Geschichte
    - Neutral: Weder gut noch schlecht. Wie man es von Poki halt kennt

    Terakristallisierung
    - Neutral: da in weiten Teilen belanglos

    Fazit:
    2 von 10, weil die Musik ganz gut ist. Aber die Immersion (bzw. eher Spielspaß) leidet massiv am technischen Zustand des Spiels.

    PS: Hab ca 70h gespielt    … Expand
  23. Phalcore
    Nov 24, 2022
    0
    I understand the frustration, I played Shield, I played Arceus and I understand it, I really do. But the game is far from unplayable (unlike Cyberpunk and ME 4) and will most likely get patched. So let me enjoy my f*cking game :D
  24. tianfranto
    Nov 25, 2022
    3
    I am a Pokémon fan since Pokémon Yellow. I've played almost them all. I played all Switch games but I cannot see any improvements on the technical side. Even the specialized critics are lowering their score for the brand and Pokémon Violet/Scarlet has received one of the lowest score for the main games of the brand.
    It is not acceptable that The Pokémon Company and Nintendo give green    I am a Pokémon fan since Pokémon Yellow. I've played almost them all. I played all Switch games but I cannot see any improvements on the technical side. Even the specialized critics are lowering their score for the brand and Pokémon Violet/Scarlet has received one of the lowest score for the main games of the brand.
    It is not acceptable that The Pokémon Company and Nintendo give green flag to a product which has a lot of problems from the technical side.
    There is no excuse for selling that. Other brands and other company would have been massacrated if they released a game in that conditions.
    It is time to reconsider Game Freak as a developer of the games and apply Nintendo standards for other brands (Zelda, Mario, etc...) to Pokémon.
    A fan here wants Pokémon to became the best they can be.    … Expand
  25. cucholix
    Nov 24, 2022
    2
    S/V is the result of an ambitious game in hands of a developer that still struggles with 3D worlds, combine this with a limited hardware where you cannot hide technical shortcomings with horse power. The technical problems are too distracting, blinking textures at far distance, poor geometry draw distance, poor level of detail, capped NPC, Pokémons animations all these issues are presentS/V is the result of an ambitious game in hands of a developer that still struggles with 3D worlds, combine this with a limited hardware where you cannot hide technical shortcomings with horse power. The technical problems are too distracting, blinking textures at far distance, poor geometry draw distance, poor level of detail, capped NPC, Pokémons animations all these issues are present in open world areas, that’s without mention the graphical glitches that become a meme on internet. At this point I have not faith in Game Freak to make a pleasant open world Pokémon game… Expand
  26. eigentlicher
    Nov 22, 2022
    0
    The performance of these new pokemon games is atrocious. It doesn't make sense when there are so many open world games on the switch that look 10 times better and perform much better. Also many mechanics that were fixed on Arceus are absent in that game. Go figure. Nintendo please force game freak to patch the game and make it run better than this mess.
  27. Bruceiscontent
    Nov 26, 2022
    0
    I've literally seen reviews on here that say, "If you care about performance or graphics, you're not a fan of Pokémon."

    I'm sorry, but what other Pokémon game has launched in a completely broken state with no follow-up patch or even an apology from Game Freak? I've played every game in the Pokémon series since I was a child. But now I'm an adult, and these games cost over $60. Decent    I've literally seen reviews on here that say, "If you care about performance or graphics, you're not a fan of Pokémon."

    I'm sorry, but what other Pokémon game has launched in a completely broken state with no follow-up patch or even an apology from Game Freak?

    I've played every game in the Pokémon series since I was a child. But now I'm an adult, and these games cost over $60. Decent performance (especially given how mediocre the graphics are) is the BARE MINIMUM. I'm glad that some of you are able to look past the fact that you were ripped off because of your fandom for the series, but this is absurd. The Switch hardware is being scapegoated for the issues, even though countless titles prove that the Switch is capable of running massive open world games, and running them well.

    You mean to tell me that I can play Witcher 3, Skyrim, and Breath of the Wild on this console, but an open world Pokemon game with mobile quality graphics simply can't hack it? Nonsense. I'd be willing to give Game Freak the benefit of the doubt if they came out with a statement, an apology, or if they promised a future patch to optimize some of the problems. But nothing. Radio silence. I didn't preorder this game with the hope that it would be playable six months from now.

    This is a prime example of the worst trend in modern gaming: Releasing broken, beta builds of games at full price, and expecting the consumer to just accept it.    … Expand
  28. Vileguyver
    Nov 24, 2022
    2
    The gameplay itself has so much potential, however the game is let down by utterly disgraceful graphics and performance.
    In all honesty the game should have been delayed or "unlaunched" until it is given the time and care needed. As literally one of the largest franchise, money should be no object to make these games look great and run smoothly.
    I'm sure it will be improved over time,    The gameplay itself has so much potential, however the game is let down by utterly disgraceful graphics and performance.
    In all honesty the game should have been delayed or "unlaunched" until it is given the time and care needed. As literally one of the largest franchise, money should be no object to make these games look great and run smoothly.
    I'm sure it will be improved over time, but it kicks game preservation out the window for first to buyers, as the patch downloads won't be around forever and in 50 years time will be left with only rubbish versions.    … Expand
  29. Bent3ndo
    Nov 25, 2022
    4
    Pokemon titles are a marmite topic for many people when it comes to more recent releases. Half the fanbase forgive the series' technical and visual flaws and appreciate the premise of catching them all (not that you can "catch em all" any more within standalone titles). The other half, and the half of the camp I sit within, expect the largest franchise in the world to treat its IP withPokemon titles are a marmite topic for many people when it comes to more recent releases. Half the fanbase forgive the series' technical and visual flaws and appreciate the premise of catching them all (not that you can "catch em all" any more within standalone titles). The other half, and the half of the camp I sit within, expect the largest franchise in the world to treat its IP with respect, and more importantly treat its fanbase with respect. Scarlet and Violet are no exception to this opinion. If anything, the issues presented this time around are WORSE than what people criticised with Arceus' arrival at the start of the same year.

    Game Freak are not only too small a team to be expected to deliver the content asked of them, but their release schedule is far too crammed to deliver the quality of games expected of what should be the slickest, most polished looking gaming franchise there is out there.

    The Pokemon Company need to pull their act together and provide Game Freak with the budget, team and time that these modern Pokemon titles need. Otherwise people can expect less and less quality from these bigger and bigger titles as time goes on.

    Pokemon deserves better, we deserve better.    … Expand
  30. UglyBunny
    Nov 22, 2022
    3
    I will change my review if GF fixes the disgustingly egregious performance and graphical issues. The actual battles are cool, but the game looks like it's an N64 game in the level of detail and graphics. The performance is terrible with low and inconsistent framerates (even after the "fix" of closing it out and reopening it).

    It's still a Pokémon game, though, and the core formula,    I will change my review if GF fixes the disgustingly egregious performance and graphical issues. The actual battles are cool, but the game looks like it's an N64 game in the level of detail and graphics. The performance is terrible with low and inconsistent framerates (even after the "fix" of closing it out and reopening it).

    It's still a Pokémon game, though, and the core formula, although beaten to death, has charm and fun. The pre-rendered stuff looks fine. The idea of an open-world core Pokémon game is fantastic, and this can be great - but GF really needs to patch the hell out of it, and soon. Hopefully this will be the No Man's Sky of Pokémon games and turn out to be patched and updated into what it could and should be.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 118 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 61 out of 118
  3. 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. VideoGamer
    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.
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  3. Het Nieuwsblad
    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.
    Read full review
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