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. Jack_Clinker
    Nov 23, 2022
    1
    Quite literally the worst pokemon game to date. It has great ideas but doesn't execute any of them well. The performance sucks and I've had it crash multiple times. The bi-annual release schedule obviously does not work with this franchise anymore with the amount of resources Nintendo and GameFreak are willing to put towards this IP
  2. GreendelaBean
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    This game is insulting bad. I didn't even pay for it and I feel owed a refund. There's almost nothing redeeming about this miserable experience, the game is fantastically simple with repetitive grinding to get anywhere and poor level scaling across the world. You have very little agency in how you play; my team of 6 lechonks couldn't even beat the tutorial fights, I feel it's very heavy onThis game is insulting bad. I didn't even pay for it and I feel owed a refund. There's almost nothing redeeming about this miserable experience, the game is fantastically simple with repetitive grinding to get anywhere and poor level scaling across the world. You have very little agency in how you play; my team of 6 lechonks couldn't even beat the tutorial fights, I feel it's very heavy on you learning them meta. There are points where you get dialogue choices, but these never matter as even if you tell the director you don't like his paper maché school or reject the over-friendly girl's advances, you're still forced to go along with it. All of that is ignoring the elephant in the pokéball: the horrendous visuals and performance. I fully expect this game to win the "Innovation in Accessibility" category at the Game Awards this year as Game Freak have pulled off something truly remarkable with this game: it's the first that's actually more enjoyable if you're blind. The overall polish and feel of the game is appalling and easily one of the worst games I've ever played. Even very old 3D games have better rendering distances than this, and often look better since they were pushing the limits back then. This "game" was very clearly made by an incredibly passionless team on a deadline and no regard for customer satisfaction. It's hard to imagine how the game could be in a technically worse state than this without literally not starting up. Nintendo and Gamefreak should be ashamed of this miserable showing, almost six years after Nintendo themselves put out much more competent games on the same hardware. The correct thing to do would be issuing a full recall and apology, but of course, the game is already a bestseller, so the greedy executives will instead be laughing and plotting the next quarter-baked entry. In my opinion this game is worth no higher than a 0 out of 10. Even if you enjoyed parts of it, I cannot understand how anyone could rank this above a 6 when the game is so evidently unpolished. I'm sure other game companies are already taking note of people's willingness to tolerate unpolished games, and that's why this insulting product must be boycotted. Do not buy this game under any circumstances.… Expand
  3. Robertinho123
    Nov 23, 2022
    9
    A fantastic step in the right direction, marred by two steps back. I really love some of the direction, actual character archs and some battles are actually challenging too, both are incredibly refreshing. I also love some of the new Pokemon (especially Pawmot), and overall really enjoyed it.

    That said, you can't avoid the poor poor poor performance, the framerate is terrible and    A fantastic step in the right direction, marred by two steps back. I really love some of the direction, actual character archs and some battles are actually challenging too, both are incredibly refreshing. I also love some of the new Pokemon (especially Pawmot), and overall really enjoyed it.

    That said, you can't avoid the poor poor poor performance, the framerate is terrible and sometimes distracting.

    The other annoying this is that the game only pretends to be open. If you want a good experience, you have to follow the route that's now listed on many websites, you can't just go anywhere, cause the levels don't scale. Either make it closed, or make the levels scale.

    I really liked the game, but there are some undeniable issues.

    --------------
    Updated to a 9 because of the fantastic ending, emotional stuff like that in a Pokemon game, mind blown!    … Expand
  4. 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
  5. SD_XyRCK
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    Game is broken, also feels kinda incomplete, lack of features in previous games like enter houses, battle setting and customization, even lags a lot when walking, is unacceptable this kind of mess in a final product.
  6. cocacola16728
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    This is one of the worst-optimized games I think I have ever seen from a AAA developer. By far the worst from Nintendo and far from the quality that one would expect from them compared to the rest of their supported catalog. I have a hard time believing that if this was anything but Pokemon, it would have been allowed to launch in this state. Simply unacceptable. The laziness and greed ofThis is one of the worst-optimized games I think I have ever seen from a AAA developer. By far the worst from Nintendo and far from the quality that one would expect from them compared to the rest of their supported catalog. I have a hard time believing that if this was anything but Pokemon, it would have been allowed to launch in this state. Simply unacceptable. The laziness and greed of Game Freak and the Pokemon Company have gone too far. Pokemon is the highest-grossing media franchise in the world. If taking more time to create a proper game is not possible, then hiring more developers to ensure quality surely is. There is no lack of funding, it is a lack of support and more than likely mismanagement by stuck-up old Japanese businessmen who refuse change and accept new ideas. Anyone who accepts such a trash product from this massive of a company needs help.… Expand
  7. Pixelman030
    Nov 23, 2022
    6
    It's alright in my opinion, but it's definitely not at the quality of the older gamesm
  8. drewezbreezee
    Nov 20, 2022
    9
    My review is handheld only. I don't play in docked mode. I don't even know if my dock works. Switch OLED. I've put in many hours into Pokemon Violet and played so much today that I'm physically tired. 41 of my 140 friends bought Violet/Scarlet so far. 90% have put in over 5 hours. 70% over 10 hours. The only game more people on my list bought and played more is Mario kart. Everybody isMy review is handheld only. I don't play in docked mode. I don't even know if my dock works. Switch OLED. I've put in many hours into Pokemon Violet and played so much today that I'm physically tired. 41 of my 140 friends bought Violet/Scarlet so far. 90% have put in over 5 hours. 70% over 10 hours. The only game more people on my list bought and played more is Mario kart. Everybody is playing and I can't get Pokemon off my mind. So many Pokemon to catch. I get geeked when I discover a new Pokemon I haven't caught yet. I'm excited. I bought Pokemon sword and shield and hated them, bought Pokemon Arceus and hated it to. I haven't played a Pokemon game this much since the original. I had to deduct a point because some of the frame drops from time to time and some pop in, but none of this is game breaking, especially with what all this game is trying to achieve. It's a pretty game, with weather effects and personally I liked the graphics. This world is overflowing with life and sounds. I also liked how easy it is to throw a poke ball, I liked seeing my character, my Pokemon and the enemy Pokemon. I liked that I could call my Pokemon to quick fight in the area and collect level up points. I liked the music. I liked the hd rumble and wish they used it more. I don't like how my Pokemon evolves, but that's my fault because I chose him. So Pikachu is now my quarterback Pokemon and I benched quaxly. I love everything about this game, it's freedom, it's open world structure. I didn't like the five hour tutorial of reading and wish Pokemon would graduate into voice acting. Is it perfect? No, but when you've got me daydreaming about your game, I'm going to say you did it well and when I add all the things I like with all the things I don't like I would give the game a solid 8.5/10… Expand
  9. DuneK
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    The graphic issues on this are ridiculous. Cannot go a few minutes without them popping up.
  10. W0LF2612
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    This product absolutely blows in every possible way. You reap what you sow.
  11. 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
  12. DolphinReviews
    Nov 23, 2022
    5
    There is a good game here, but Pokémon Scarlet and Violet make it actively difficult to enjoy it with the abysmal performance. The actual world is a blast to explore, or would be if I wasn't able to see through the ground and hit more than 15 frames per second. There are a good amount great new Pokémon designs this generation, but there are quite a lot of bad ones as well. If you're goingThere is a good game here, but Pokémon Scarlet and Violet make it actively difficult to enjoy it with the abysmal performance. The actual world is a blast to explore, or would be if I wasn't able to see through the ground and hit more than 15 frames per second. There are a good amount great new Pokémon designs this generation, but there are quite a lot of bad ones as well. If you're going in completely blind to the game I can easily see you being disappointed in your starter Pokémon's final evolution. The character animations of the humans are awful, lifeless husks being puppeteered with view frames. The actual Pokémon's attack animations are somewhat improved. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet should have been delayed an extra year in order to fix the performance issues and the character animations. I can't recommend Scarlet and Violent until there is improvement to the performance so it becomes at least playable.… Expand
  13. 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
  14. Ag4zz
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    Il gioco in se non vale quanto costa, ha mille difetti e l'unico aspetto divertente è giocare online con gli amici, ma anche questo ogni tanto non funziona.

    The game itself is not worth the money, it has a thousand flaws and the only fun aspect is playing online with friends, but even that sometimes doesn't work.
  15. ayoade
    Nov 23, 2022
    3
    awful performance. should not have released in this state. game is kidna ugly, uninspired open world. pokemon designs are excellent though.
  16. marcovoltaire8
    Nov 23, 2022
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. No sé cómo sacaron un juego tan mal optimizado, entiendo que fue por fechas de entrega pero no valoraron su trabajo. Una lastima y una oportunidad perdida, Pokemon podría ser lo máximo y se conforma con ser lo mmmmm pasable pero en esta ocasión, con un rendimiento por los suelos. Ojala hagan algo al respecto.… Expand
  17. 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
  18. ChefoMaestro
    Nov 23, 2022
    6
    A fun story, great new Pokémon, cool new features, and good characters. The main problem is that the optimization is absurdly bad. I think it's definitely a step back from Arceus. Another point against is that the cities feel a bit empty.
    If you are a fan of the saga, you are going to enjoy it a lot, but even the biggest fan notices the game's technical deficiencies
  19. Anlaki
    Nov 23, 2022
    2
    Wonderful work devs for trying to make this game better and not monotonous.
    But this game needed more time. Optimization doesn't exist, new mechanics are fun but after 3rd same mini boss and hilariously easy side games it gets monotonous as well. This game would be such a good move, but
  20. Roat1990
    Nov 23, 2022
    10
    One of the best pokémon game made. Best combination between de old games and the new open world concept
  21. LTX128
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    Sorry, but we can’t let Nintendo sell us this crappy looking games anymore. I hope they fix the tech issues asap. Or give us full refunds.
  22. Meskalyne
    Nov 23, 2022
    1
    This is disrespectful. To all the fans and Pokemon players in the world.
    This game is a shame. The graphics don't just look outdated, they look for another time in the past.
    You think you can keep playing ignoring them, then you suddenly enter the classroom, and they are even worst, for your classmates, with a 2step animation like a good old gameboy. The camera is a mess in many ways. I    This is disrespectful. To all the fans and Pokemon players in the world.
    This game is a shame. The graphics don't just look outdated, they look for another time in the past.
    You think you can keep playing ignoring them, then you suddenly enter the classroom, and they are even worst, for your classmates, with a 2step animation like a good old gameboy.
    The camera is a mess in many ways. I played 2 hours by now, but I already need an eye surgery in emergency.
    You should really be ashamed to release that game.    … Expand
  23. MrGamerClock64
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    The performance is beyond poor, visuals are cheap, and low quality. It's honestly embarrassing for a multi billion dollar franchise can't even make a game that looks and functions like one. There are many similar games on Nintendo Switch that runs better, that are more stable, and are much better looking than Pokemon Violet. Games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, XenobladeThe performance is beyond poor, visuals are cheap, and low quality. It's honestly embarrassing for a multi billion dollar franchise can't even make a game that looks and functions like one. There are many similar games on Nintendo Switch that runs better, that are more stable, and are much better looking than Pokemon Violet. Games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, The Witcher 3, and even Ark Survival look better! This criticism needs to be heard. Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures Inc., all need to understand that these games need to be better.… Expand
  24. Magus501
    Nov 23, 2022
    2
    Es un juego que no cumple lo que promete,
    no es libre elección elegir con que gym ir primero y perder infinidad de veces y después llegar sobre leveleado a ganar de one shot a los primero gym, si no ponían un auto nivel para los lideres para que decir que es de libre elección.
    el mundo sigue pareciendo desconectado de los pokemon, no hay una interacción real con el entorno ni entre los    Es un juego que no cumple lo que promete,
    no es libre elección elegir con que gym ir primero y perder infinidad de veces y después llegar sobre leveleado a ganar de one shot a los primero gym, si no ponían un auto nivel para los lideres para que decir que es de libre elección.

    el mundo sigue pareciendo desconectado de los pokemon, no hay una interacción real con el entorno ni entre los mismo pokemon y están ligeramente bine ubicados aunque no es algo que destacaría, pokemon go tiene mejor ubicación de pokemon en las areas.

    y ni hablemos de los Bugs que son incansables y la cámara saca de onda varias veces    … Expand
  25. Vladamir8
    Nov 23, 2022
    9
    this game is very fun but the visuals and performance suck. it would have been perfect if it wasn't so buggy, and the fact that you can choose what you do is phenomenal.
  26. cgrenier324
    Nov 23, 2022
    9
    Yes yes the game has all sorts of technical issues, sometimes just had me straight up laughing. The first half of the game ir was frustrating, I think because I was looking for something to be wrong with the game. But at the end of the day we play games for the stories, either the ones they out us through or the ones they put us through or the ones we create for ourselves. And I have toYes yes the game has all sorts of technical issues, sometimes just had me straight up laughing. The first half of the game ir was frustrating, I think because I was looking for something to be wrong with the game. But at the end of the day we play games for the stories, either the ones they out us through or the ones they put us through or the ones we create for ourselves. And I have to say this game gives both, I really fell in love with it in the second half and especially in the endgame. It has been a long time since I was emotionally connected to the characters in the story. Bonus points for giving me a metroid feel during the last mission, and the conclusion had me welling up. Best Pokémon Game maybe I've ever played despite the technical flaws.… Expand
  27. 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
  28. i_mush
    Nov 23, 2022
    6
    I'm giving 6 instead of 5 just to offset some excessive criticism, although it is impossible to be kind towards this release.
    The game is fun and the open world aspect of esploration and progression is really interesting, giving the player the freedom to explore allowed me to find myself just a little underleveled for the next challenge, giving me the necessity to actually train my mons    I'm giving 6 instead of 5 just to offset some excessive criticism, although it is impossible to be kind towards this release.
    The game is fun and the open world aspect of esploration and progression is really interesting, giving the player the freedom to explore allowed me to find myself just a little underleveled for the next challenge, giving me the necessity to actually train my mons before bringing it on, this was a great feeling.
    Also, new pokemon models are great, you can actually see more details like furs and scales, and overally the design of new mons is great and not awkward as in the previous releases.

    The bad thing of this game is is that you're constantly reminded that it has been rushed just to meet xmas sales. Textures look ugly, the framerate is low, animations are poor and there are bugs every now and then, and this is a big setback that ruins what should have been an otherwise great adventure.    … Expand
  29. Ruado
    Nov 23, 2022
    10
    El mejor juego de la saga. No me he encontrado ni 1 bug, solo caídas de FPs puntuales. La historia es SUBLIME. No puedo hacer nada más que aplaudir. La banda sonora es de LAS MEJORES ue he escuchado. No es normal. Tenía expectativas altas, pero las ha superado.
  30. 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.
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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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