Pokemon Shield

 Switch
Pokemon Shield Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 89 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 3375 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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Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield - "Prepare For Battle" Gameplay Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 89
  3. Negative: 0 out of 89
  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. Areajugones
    Nov 13, 2019
    88
    Pokémon Sword and Shield is a game that knows how to keep intact the inheritance it receives from previous titles of the saga and, at the same time, introduces a series of new elements that will lead the franchise into the future. In an attempt to be a gateway for everyone, Game Freak's new project will please both newcomers and more experienced players because, although some sections of this new installment have received less attention, it still has a content which will be attractive enough for every coach to find his place in the new region of Galar.
  4. Jeuxvideo.com
    Nov 13, 2019
    80
    Thanks to some new systems and a brand new graphic aspect, Pokemon is finally back in the living room. But, even if hunting is a great activity in those new zones, the game could have been better with more innovation and a some challenge.
  5. God is a Geek
    Nov 24, 2019
    80
    Sword & Shield is a really tricky Pokémon entry to pigeonhole. It retains the old Pokémon charm, but it's not without flaws.
  6. GRYOnline.pl
    Nov 26, 2019
    75
    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).
  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 96 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 458 out of 1499
  2. Mixed: 237 out of 1499
  3. Negative: 804 out of 1499
  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. Uriva
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    I love the game is so fun and cute, the only problem is that it is very addictive
  4. kennydog
    Mar 22, 2022
    8
    Another nice addition to the Pokémon game series. Sure, It's kinda short, and the story is godawful, but I liked most of the new PokémonAnother nice addition to the Pokémon game series. Sure, It's kinda short, and the story is godawful, but I liked most of the new Pokémon designs, the gym battles were super exciting, and the wild areas were decent. Overall, it was better than I expected and I liked exploring Galar with my favourite Galarian Pokémon.… Expand
  5. Kamarr
    Nov 23, 2019
    4
    Hot trash! Cause it's a Pokemon game it's gonna sell regardless of it being bad or great. There are many things wrong with this. 1 beingHot trash! Cause it's a Pokemon game it's gonna sell regardless of it being bad or great. There are many things wrong with this. 1 being Gamefreak being lazy and it shows. Copy paste trees lack luster Pokedex more than half of the Dex has been cut to bring in hot garbage Pokemon feels like a lot of the older games meant nothing. This is the best franchise in the WORLD and it doesn't show period. No real end game beyond online battling and Battle Tower and a tournament mode which is very dull. I'd give this a 0 but I feel they deserve a 4 cause at least the wild area and such was pretty legit beyond the copy paste tree's and water that looks like tar. Another thing to add is the fact that the Online capabilities of this game is trash and no GTS? like give me a break.… Expand
  6. Xelfyy
    Jan 9, 2020
    2
    Historia pobre, personajes secundarios poco interesantes, te lo puedes llegar a pasar bien si le echas imaginación, el area silvestre estáHistoria pobre, personajes secundarios poco interesantes, te lo puedes llegar a pasar bien si le echas imaginación, el area silvestre está laggueadisima. Le hubiese puesto un 4, pero me entero de que van a sacar DLC'S... ENCIMA! se han cagado en la saga.… Expand
  7. themangoose
    Dec 21, 2019
    1
    Game lags constantly, worse in wild area, really worse when connected to internet
    No GTS
    Limited Pokedex No Pokebank access Max Raid    Game lags constantly, worse in wild area, really worse when connected to internet
    No GTS
    Limited Pokedex
    No Pokebank access
    Max Raid System bugged, locked raids, doesn't reload in a timely manner, show raids that are instantly backed out of if it shows anything at all.
    90% of the main story is carried out by NPC asd you just hear about it and are told to not worry about it since you've got the gyms to focus on. How absolutely disappointing.
    Bicycle controls are somewhat more realistic, but reaslitic doesn't always translate to most fun in a game.
    Too many overworld Pokemon spawns, many that run at you at max speeds making it nearly impossible to search the grass for rare spawns that DO NOT spawn in the overworld. It's not a fun mechanic in this way. It should have been all overworld or none, not both.
    All but 2 pokemon in the butchered Pokedex are easily found and caught. Resulting in a very short endgame with no real reason to keep playing. If I'm done with it in a week playing a couple hours a night then it's not worth sixty bucks. You're just buying a name, not content.
    Most importantly #GameFreakLied    … Expand
  8. Sasa789
    Dec 17, 2019
    0
    Pokemon, make REAL videogames! This is not what we wan't. Evolve like all that other video games have, you of all companies have the funds toPokemon, make REAL videogames! This is not what we wan't. Evolve like all that other video games have, you of all companies have the funds to make the greatest game EVER.… Expand

See all 1499 User Reviews

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76
#76 Best Switch Game of 2019
3
#3 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019

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