Pokémon Sword and Shield Reviews

Pokémon Sword and Shield is ranked in the 79th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Alex Donaldson
Top Critic
Nov 13, 2019

Pokemon Sword & Shield is all too often a bit disappointing, and in some places actually feels a little unfinished, but it also fully provides that warm, fuzzy feeling that one expects from the series. Crucially, even through frustration, never once did I think about putting it down, which is to its credit. It comes recommended almost for the Galar setting and new Pokemon alone, but with a long list of caveats indeed.

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Dec 4, 2019

As has been the case with Game Freak for years, Pokemon Sword and Shield feels like two steps forward in some ways and one step back in others. The loss of more than half of the total number of Pokemon is certainly felt, but the introduction of the Wild Area and the reemergence of gyms on a much larger scale help to make Pokemon Sword and Shield another must play Pokemon experience regardless of the more glaring than usual flaws.

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8 / 10.0
Nov 22, 2019

Sword & Shield is a really tricky Pokémon entry to pigeonhole. It retains the old Pokémon charm, but it's not without flaws

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9 / 10
Nov 26, 2019

Pokémon Sword and Shield is a bold move into a new generation. There are technical hiccups, but those pale in comparison to the bustling Wild Area and the charming Gen 8 additions.

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Unscored
Nov 15, 2019

Sword and Shield do a great job of introducing the world of Pokémon to people while pairing it with everything that makes the series comfortable and warm to most of its longtime fans. Even if it’s not a spicy, innovative curry.

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Nov 23, 2019

Despite a few shortcomings in mechanics and story, Pokemon Sword and Shield delivers an experience that is undeniably Pokemon.

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90 / 100
Nov 16, 2019

There really is something undeniably charming about Pokémon Sword and Shield. While the plot itself is rather short, these games do a decent job of shaking up some of the tried-and-true mechanics in all the right ways. Max Raid battles, the open-world Wild Area, and improved social features make them surprisingly and subtly unique titles that are everything you'd expect from a Pokémon game, and occasionally, just a little bit more than you thought they would be.

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Telegraph
Jack Rear
Top Critic
Dec 10, 2019

It's clear from the off that Game Freak really did its research when it made its decision to base the new region, Galar, on Britain.

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Drew Leachman
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Dec 12, 2019

Any RPG fan will get enjoyment out of this one and Pokémon fans new and old will have a great time exploring the Galar Region.

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GameMAG
Top Critic
6 / 10
Dec 5, 2019

In single player mode Pokémon Sword / Shield is a short, boring and technically imperfect game. It has relatively little content, no adequate plot and the difficulty is designed for children. It seems that after the phenomenal success of Pokémon Go The Pokémon Company has radically changed its priorities and they are ready to sacrifice the quality of console games in favor of optimizing workflows. The fan base which has grown to the improbable sizes is loyal enough and is ready to support any project in a series even if at its production frankly saved.

Review in Russian | 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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79 / 100
Nov 25, 2019

Pokemon Sword and Shield present a revitalizing and refreshing perspective on the series, taking steps back to the series’ roots to remind players what it means to try and become the Pokemon Champion.

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Nov 22, 2019

It's the best Pokemon generation in years

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8.3 / 10.0
Nov 20, 2019

Pokémon Sword and Shield represent an exciting new beginning for the saga. Some ideas aren't perfectly developed, but overall the work of Gamefreak is convincing.

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8 / 10.0
Dec 14, 2019

Even with the controversy surrounding Dexit, I still find Pokemon Sword and Shield to be a fun romp. While certain features still feel like they’re not quite fully fleshed out, I appreciate all the quality-of-life improvements as well as the new things Game Freak added to change things up. Pokemon Sword and Shield feels fresh and new, something I haven’t felt in the series since Diamond and Pearl. It may not be the very best like no Pokemon game ever was. But it’s promising, which makes me look forward to what comes next for the series.

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Will Greenwald
Top Critic
Dec 12, 2019

Pokemon Sword and Shield won't throw many surprises your way, but they both offer the great Pokemon experience that's worked for two decades. The game boasts a new region to explore, as well as new monsters and combat.

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Unscored
Nov 26, 2019
Pokemon is Nintendo's Most Stagnant and Lazy Franchise (Pokemon Sword and Shield Review) video thumbnail
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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Nov 26, 2019

Pokémon Sword and Shield is not only a worthy start for the series on mainline consoles, but is quite possibly the best entry in the series. With the new Pokémon, Dynamax raids, gyms, and the expansive Wild Area, Pokémon Sword and Shield filled me with a joy I rarely feel playing games.

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7.5 / 10.0
Nov 26, 2019

Pokemon Sword and Shield are a lot of fun, even if the series is experiencing growing pains with the transition to home consoles.

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