Pokémon Sword and Shield Reviews

Pokémon Sword and Shield is ranked in the 79th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Unscored
Nov 26, 2019
Pokemon is Nintendo's Most Stagnant and Lazy Franchise (Pokemon Sword and Shield Review) video thumbnail
3.8 / 5.0
Nov 26, 2019

A fun, yet fleeting Pokémon experience that will appeal most to hardcore fans satisfied with the core formula than those looking for a game that pushes storytelling or graphics to the next level.

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74 / 100
Nov 26, 2019

Pokemon Sword and Shield is more an iteration on a well-worn formula than a leap forward. Hardcore fans are going to enjoy the trappings of a series that has catered to them for years, but as a mainline home console Pokémon game, the expectations are going to be higher, and in some areas it's a bit lacking.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 26, 2019

With Pokemon Shield Game Freak has delivered one of their best games in years thanks to a fantastic addition with the Wild Area. Everyone can find something they will enjoy even though the National Dex isn't here and the online infrastructure isn't great. The music, new designs and animation alone give you enough reason to play on the first mainline entries to ever grace the TV.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Nov 27, 2019

Pokemon Sword & Shield doesn't take enough risks or attempt anything really new and important. The overwhelming amount of re-used assets and shortcuts leads to one of the biggest missed opportunities on the Switch to date. Newcomers will find a lot to love here, with no previous games to measure it against, but longtime series fans will likely be left wanting in almost every area.

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7.8 / 10.0
Nov 27, 2019

Pokémon Sword & Shield are an experience full of bittersweet contrasts. They do several things right and Pokémon fans will have a great time exploring Galar. Whit that said they also have half-baked elements that feel off. I have to admit that they leave me excited for the future of the series; hopefully, Game Freak will commit to ideas like the Wild Area and Dynamax forms.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Dave Aubrey
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Nov 27, 2019

Pokémon Sword and Shield have a few problems which prevent them from attaining classic status, but what's here is an incredibly fun, pretty, and enjoyable RPG that is hard to put down once you start playing. The loop of fighting trainers and catching Pokémon is one that works incredibly well here as it ever has, but I can understand why hardcore Pokémon fans will feel let down. Still, if you're not bothered by Dexit, this is a great Pokémon game to pour a couple of dozen hours into, at least.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 27, 2019

The introduction of the Wild Area, while far from perfect, could be the genesis of something truly ambitious for the franchise. As it stands, even if it relies on old tropes, Sword and Shield improves in the areas that are the most important. There isn’t a better time to embark on an adventure and catch them all once more.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 27, 2019

Ultimately, I think Pokémon Sword and Shield are some of the best games in the franchise. With fun multiplayer features, the ease of setting up a competitive squad for me to play online with fantastic visuals, solid music, and an acceptable story, I think grabbing Sword or Shield is an excellent idea for most Pokémon fans.

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7.5 / 10.0
Nov 28, 2019

Pokemon Sword has the heart and core experience that fans have loved throughout the years but growing pains are clear as anemic side content, horrific online, and other issues show that Game Freak has some growing to do.

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7 / 10.0
Nov 29, 2019

While it does make a lot of good changes, Pokémon Sword & Shield make more mistakes compared to previous iterations in the franchise. Regardless, newcomers and Pokémon fans alike are bound to find enjoyment in the new region and those that inhabit it.

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Worth your time
Nov 29, 2019

Pokémon Sword and Shield is a Pokémon good game, that suffers from problems that hold back the franchise for a long long time.

Review in Greek | Read full review

Player.it
Riccardo Prezioso
8 / 10.0
Nov 29, 2019

Played, analysed, and tested, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield exceeded my expectations and I was really amazed by them, giving me a great Pokémon game and a great eighth gen. The goal of maintaining the already large community of fans and bringing new players closer to the brand was definitely successful.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Doublejump
Zack Goutzoulas
Recommended
Nov 30, 2019

They’re not perfect, but Pokémon Sword and Shield are sure to delight new and old fans alike with a series of well thought-out, well-implemented changes to the core Pokémon formula.

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8 / 10
Dec 2, 2019

one of the best Pokemon games that everyone will definitely enjoy whether they are Pokemon veterans or newcomers

Review in Arabic | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Dec 2, 2019

Thankfully, the spirit of Pokémon (of catching and collecting these monsters while aiming to be the very best) is alive and well — perhaps more than it’s ever been in a single pair of games. It just comes at the expense of pushing the franchise forward in other areas.

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Nintendo News
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Dec 2, 2019

Pokémon Sword and Shield feel exactly like a Pokémon game, which is far from being a bad thing, but a major change in the formula is necessary in order to significantly mix things up. It’s not broken by any means, but fans who’ve been involved with the series for over 20 years now expect more at this point. It goes without saying that newcomers will feel right at home, and catching Pokémon and filling your Pokédex is still as addictive as ever. Looking ahead, the Wild Area in particular is a sign of good things to come for the Pokémon franchise.

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Dec 3, 2019

Pokemon Sword and Shield meet expectations, but don't take advantage of the chance to evolve into something special. These games are generally quite fun, though terrible online offerings and a lack of innovation make one wonder if the series is going stagnant.

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Dec 3, 2019

In the end, Pokémon Shield feels like the franchise has taken one step forwards, but two steps back.

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7 / 10
Dec 4, 2019

A mediocre yet strangely compelling game that proves two things: that the Pokémon formula is incredibly strong and that Game Freak needs to rethink how they present their games.

Review in Spanish | Read full review