Pokémon Sword and Shield Reviews

Pokémon Sword and Shield is ranked in the 79th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
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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8 / 10
Nov 23, 2019

Performance issues and lazy tropes hold them back from being excellent, but Pokemon Sword and Shield are a strong step in the right direction for franchises latest generation.

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3.5 / 5.0
Nov 23, 2019

While there’s a huge step forward in regards to player freedom and additional activities for the player to indulge in, it still feels like the more things change, the more they stay the same in places where the formula needs to be shaken up.

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Rudy Lavaux
Top Critic
8 / 10
Nov 24, 2019

The main story feels shorter overall due to it being a less grindy affair than ever before, but storytelling benefits greatly from this, because the main game ends up being a more focused and packed experience.

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Nov 24, 2019

Awesome.

Review in Turkish | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Nov 25, 2019

Bad press aside, I found Pokemon Shield to be a solid entry in the Pokemon franchise. If only the difficulty was a bit elevated for seasoned players.

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7 / 10
Nov 25, 2019

Pokémon Sword and Shield is a positive step in a new direction, but one that is held back by a fear of the Unown. It's still an incredibly fun new adventure, and the Pokémon selection and variety is the best it's ever been. That said, it would be incredible to see the Wild Area become the new norm for the series, but as it stands, many of the new features feel more like spraying your sofa with Febreeze when really you need to buy a new sofa. Sure, it smells and feels new, but it's not, and you should really just commit to moving on from what was normal, and forge a new path into a new sofa. Look, just go with it.

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IGN Italy
Top Critic
7.7 / 10.0
Nov 25, 2019

Sword and Shield are not the best entries in the series but, despite some hard-to-ignore faults, they're still fun to play.

Review in Italian | Read full review

7 / 10
Nov 25, 2019

GOOD - I’ve had a lot of fun with Pokémon Sword exploring the Wild Area and catching fully evolved Pokémon wandering around there. There are plenty of issues and it’s far from perfect. Despite that it’s still enjoyable to jump back into the wonderful world of Pokémon with Arcanine by my side.

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9.5 / 10.0
Nov 25, 2019

There are some aspects of Pokémon Sword and Shield that feel like they'll reach their full potential in the next generation, but overall the game is fun, pretty and has a universality to its appeal that is genuinely impressive.

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7 / 10.0
Nov 25, 2019
Pokémon Sword and Shield - Easy Allies Review video thumbnail
6 / 10.0
Nov 25, 2019

In the end, Pokémon Shield isn't a bad game but it certainly feels like one of the lazier entries in the long-running series.

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7.5 / 10.0
Nov 25, 2019

Pokemon Sword is a good game that demands serious changes. Fights are too easy and the storyline is really dumb – Pokemon needs a dramatic overhaul in terms of mechanics. There has to be more tactics than “water beats fire”. Nostalgia is one thing but being archaic is another and far less enjoyable (even though it is extremely pretty).

Review in Polish | Read full review

GameSpew
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Nov 25, 2019

Even if you’re not the type to want to fill your Pokédex or endlessly hunt for shinies, Pokémon Sword‘s charm is enough to keep you engaged until after the credits roll.

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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 25, 2019

Pokémon Sword is the best Pokémon game in many ways. With a necessary streamlining and major leaps in presentation, Game Freak has developed a title that impresses in all the right ways.

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Nov 26, 2019

Pokémon Sword & Shield is a worthy inheritor to the franchise's best traits and a wonderful first step forward into the future with a few stumbles.

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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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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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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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