Pokemon Shield

 Switch
Pokemon Shield Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 85 Critics What's this?

User Score
4.4

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 2075 Ratings

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  • Summary: Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are set in Galar, an expansive region with many environments—idyllic countryside, contemporary cities, thick forests, and craggy, snow-covered mountains. The people and Pokémon live together in this region, and they’ve worked together to develop thePokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are set in Galar, an expansive region with many environments—idyllic countryside, contemporary cities, thick forests, and craggy, snow-covered mountains. The people and Pokémon live together in this region, and they’ve worked together to develop the industries here. You’ll visit the various Gyms in the Galar region, aiming for the enviable and admirable title of Champion. [Nintendo]
    … Expand
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Pokemon Sword And Shield - New Pokemon, Characters And Gigantamaxing

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 85
  3. Negative: 0 out of 85
  1. We Got This Covered
    Nov 27, 2019
    100
    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.
  2. The Digital Fix
    Nov 25, 2019
    90
    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.
  3. Game Informer
    Nov 13, 2019
    88
    Pokémon Sword & Shield are strong first attempts for the series’ full transition to consoles. While some frustrations hold it back from true legendary status, this new generation proves the Pokémon franchise is still great more than two decades after its debut.
  4. Multiplayer.it
    Nov 13, 2019
    80
    Pokémon Sword and Shield could have been great but Game Freak made some baffling decisions that are a step backward instead of the much needed step forward the series was looking for.
  5. Twinfinite
    Nov 24, 2019
    80
    A very typical Pokemon game. It innovates a bit, messes stuff that should have been left alone up, and leaves other things alone for better or for worse just like every generation before it. The core gameplay though is still just as fun as ever and the addition of exciting new Pokemon, a beautiful new region, new more organized multiplayer activities, and a fun new open-area to explore help push Pokemon Sword and Shield over the edge to being a game worth picking up for any Pokemon fan.
  6. DualShockers
    Nov 26, 2019
    75
    Pokemon Sword and Shield are a lot of fun, even if the series is experiencing growing pains with the transition to home consoles.
  7. Daily Star
    Nov 13, 2019
    60
    Pokémon Sword and Shield are not bad games. But fun character arcs and inventive, creative designs of new ‘mon are often offset by poor pacing and restrictive world design. The world of Galar is charming, and is a Pokémon interpretation of Britain I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, but between gating what Pokémon you can catch behind Gym Badges, some half-baked route/City designs and a modest amount of post-game content, Sword and Shield can only be called ‘good’ Pokémon games… not ‘great’ ones.

See all 92 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 354 out of 1070
  2. Mixed: 94 out of 1070
  3. Negative: 622 out of 1070
  1. ThankUGamefreak
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    This is the most important review you will ever read on metacritic. These are the best games ever made. The criticisms are unfounded andThis is the most important review you will ever read on metacritic. These are the best games ever made. The criticisms are unfounded and dumbfounded. Why are you complaining about only having 400 pokemon to play as? Other RPGs like final fantasy and xenoblade and persona typically only have 7ish characters to play as. Yet people are upset about 400? Bad argument. Bad graphics? That's not true. These games are cartoony beautiful appealing graphics. They'retimeless. I think the Thanos snap of pokemon is the best thing to happen to the series. It exposes the fake fans and shows who really cares about pokemon. If you dislike these games then you need to purchase them again and try again. And if you don'tbuy them then dont talk. .… Expand
  2. Cpreacy
    Nov 23, 2019
    10
    Game is amazing all the low scores are from cry babies because there was no national dex besides that this game is incredible and the best oneGame is amazing all the low scores are from cry babies because there was no national dex besides that this game is incredible and the best one in the series. Definitely a must buy if you are a Pokémon fan… Expand
  4. Mon0chromicorn
    Nov 26, 2019
    9
    Review bombers tears taste great!

    I grew up during the birth of pokemon it was all the rage innemementary school, so naturally I had the    Review bombers tears taste great!

    I grew up during the birth of pokemon it was all the rage innemementary school, so naturally I had the Gameboy game, toys, and cards and all that. I wouldn't say I'm a die-hard fan but I keep the pokemon franchise near and dear to my heart because of its nastalgia. I've maybe owned 5 games that were released on hand held and beat one of them to the fullest and that was pokemon pearl.

    I picked up shield so I can play it on my switch lite. I must say it is one of the best pokemon games I've played I'm completely hooked. The only complaint is some of the animations for a few attacks are very lacking, I think they couldve improved it on that. I give the game a 9.5.

    Don't let the review bombing Gen z babies sway you away. It's a great, fun solid game in the pokemon franchise.    … Expand
  5. ForrestGump
    Nov 15, 2019
    3
    GameFreak went too far with this one; the most bare bones Pokémon game I have ever played with an added insult of a $20 price increase. On topGameFreak went too far with this one; the most bare bones Pokémon game I have ever played with an added insult of a $20 price increase. On top of the ridiculous decision of cutting Pokémon in this game, it has a plethora of serious issues that definitely need to be addressed. The lifeless animations, severe lack of post game, incredibly linear gameplay, the excessive cut scenes, how ANNOYING Hop is, removing of fan favorite features and replacing them with shallow variations are just some of the glaring issues with the game. To me, though, what is the worst offense is how EASY and hand holdy the game is. the always on experience share makes the game too easy and removes any semblance of a challenge and your team is always overpowered. There are essentially infinite heals all throughout the game too that also removes the worry and strategy of handling injured Pokémon and how to work with that. The wild area is cool though, does get a little stale after awhile but a welcome addition. Worst Pokémon game I have played BY FAR and I have played every single generation… Expand
  6. PurpleMoth
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    The absolute lowest point in the entire franchise, there is almost no new relevant additions to the game while they removed dozens of featuresThe absolute lowest point in the entire franchise, there is almost no new relevant additions to the game while they removed dozens of features that made the past games fantastic, the graphics are so mediocre you can compare it to a Gamecube game and the gameplay doesn't make up for it, neither the story or postgame, it's embarrasing how Gane Freak managed to make a game so mediocre it gets outshined by most of the past entries in the series.… Expand
  7. lucasts02
    Nov 21, 2019
    0
    Sweet jesus, why? Spent 100 dollars on the bundle for this peace of garbage.
  8. pkmn1_5genfreak
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    Corporate greed should not be rewarded. You need to recall this game and let the developers make what they wanted to make, Game Freak. YouCorporate greed should not be rewarded. You need to recall this game and let the developers make what they wanted to make, Game Freak. You stand to lose a very sizable core of your fanbase, many of us have started as children from 1-4 gen. We hate to see the series we cherish so much be treated as some showpony. Fix it.… Expand

See all 1070 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best Switch Game of 2019
3
#3 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019

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