Pokemon Sword/Shield are without a doubt the most disappointing Pokemon games in the series. While they manage to take a few steps forward to do some things right, the games have removed so much content that it's hard to suggest them to anyone, especially with a $60 price tag.
Some positives:
+ The Wild Area, while not perfect, is a step in the right direction. It's a big open area where you can catch Pokemon and freely rotate the camera. The graphics and performance are worse here than in other parts of the game, but I like the concept.
+ Mints! You can use mints to change the Nature on your Pokemon, which is very handy.
+ The graphics are very nice in some areas. While these aren't the best looking Switch games, there are some moments that I really appreciate playing a Pokemon game in HD.
The negatives:
- You have probably heard about this by now, but 60% of all Pokemon have been removed from the game. If you were hoping to import your favorite Pokemon, or go trade for your favorites, you probably can't. This is a HUGE disappointment.
- The Global Trade System (GTS) has inexplicably been REMOVED from the games. You now trade with people like in the Let's Go games, which is a huge step backwards. During my journey I usually like to use the GTS to obtain Pokemon not in my version, or maybe another starter. It is now close to impossible to trade for what you want unless you dig through online forums and websites to try and find someone to trade with you. It's terrible.
- The main story is the shortest it's ever been. I completed the main story in 18.5 hours and I was not rushing. It normally takes me close to 30 hours to finish the main story in a Pokemon game, so this was extremely disappointing.
- There is almost ZERO post-game content. This has been getting worse and worse with each new Pokemon game, and it is by far the worst in Pokemon Sword and Shield. There is a mini story that takes 1-2 hours after you beat the game. After that, all you have are raids and the Battle Tower (which is a massive step down from the beloved Battle Frontier). There are no new areas to explore in the post-game, and very few legendaries to catch. Again, this is another massive disappointment.
- Mega Evolutions have been abandoned. The new battle technique is called "Dyanmax" where you make your Pokemon big for 3 turns. It doesn't feel satisfying and you can't use it very often. Mega Evolutions offered new looks for your Pokemon and felt like a better developed concept. The Dynamax concept feels rushed and not very fun to use.
- The game is very scripted and linear. It feels like every 10 minutes I'm getting interrupted by my friendly rival Hop to tell me where to go or what to do. I just want to play the game. I just want to explore. This is a RPG after all. The problem is that the routes in the game are the shortest they've ever been, and everything is very linear and straightforward. There is no challenge and no risk. The game tells you where to go and what to do, and then your friendly rival Hop always interrupts you every 10 minutes to tell you how great you are and then heals your Pokemon. It's very hand-holding.
- The game is $60. Previous Pokemon games on the handheld systems were $40. There is nothing here to justify the $20 increase in price. They actually removed so much content from these games, made a shorter main story, included very little in the post-game, and made the price more expensive than any other mainline Pokemon game.
Overall, I have to say that Pokemon Sword and Shield are easily the most disappointing games in the series. They do some things right that I appreciate, but they have just removed so much content. 60% of all Pokemon are gone. The Global Trade System was removed for no reason. The story and post-game are lacking. It's by far the most disappointing Pokemon game I've played, and at $60, I really can't recommend these games.
What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the manufacturer
Who will you choose? Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble.
Pokémon become huge with Dynamax & Gigantamax
Dynamaxing!
Dynamax is a phenomenon unique to specific locations in the Galar region, where Pokémon are able to take on gigantic appearances. Dynamax Pokémon become tremendously strong and their stats get a boost but they will return to normal after three turns.
Gigantamaxing!
Only certain species of Pokémon can Gigantamax—and even among such species, only rare specimens will be able to. Gigantamax Pokémon become bigger and it boosts the power of the Pokémon. It also allows each Gigantamax Pokémon to use a unique move known as a G-Max Move!
Pokémon Found in the Region
Gossifleur
Type: Grass
Wooloo
Type: Normal
Alcremie
Type: Fairy
Corviknight
Type: Flying/Steel
Zarude
Type: Dark/Grass
Yamper
Type: Electric
Sirfetch'd
Pokémon Sword Exclusive!
Type: Fighting
Ponyta
Pokémon Shield Exclusive!
Type: Psychic
Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
30+ hours played: Ignore the haters (60/100/180 hour update)
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2019
Here we are, a mainline Pokemon game officially released on a home console. If it matters, I am in my 30's and have played every single generation of these games since the inception of the series. I bought a Switch when they were released solely based on the fact that the next full Pokemon RPG was announced to be on the Switch (and didn't play it at all until I got Shield). You could say I rather enjoy this franchise.There is a small but very vocal group of "fans" that would have you believe Sword and Shield are half a game or somehow incomplete. I want to assure anyone worried, I have never played a more complete-feeling Pokemon game (outside of Omega Ruby, my previous fav entry besides Black).You've probably heard of "Dexit", the absurd idea of associating Game Freak's decision not to have a full Dex with Britain's decision to leave the EU. These concerns are overblown. 30 hours in and I've barely seen half of the 400 'mons in this game. AND NOT A SINGLE RATTATA OR PIDGEY SO FAR. Thank the sweet Lord. Besides sheer numbers, Sword and Shield feel ALIVE with teeming creatures everywhere. I've caught myself smiling like an idiot in a way that I haven't since Red and Blue while just exploring the environments I was in.To jack KonMarie's schtick, this game sparked joy for me. Isn't that why we all started playing games in the first place?tl;drYou like Pokemon? Buy one (or both) of these games.UPDATE: one week and 30+ additional hours (around 65 hours played):This game is eating my life. I am stuck firmly in that wonderful reward loop that Pokemon does so well. I stand by my previous words, this game is every bit a Pokemon game.A few stray thoughts:- the Wild Area is AWESOME- being chased by Bewears is terrifying and hilariousUPDATE: two weeks, 110+ hoursI have not played a game like it was my second job in years. Obviously, not everyone will get this kind of mileage out of the game. I've been spending the majority of that time constructing teams, raiding for candies to level up said team, and breeding 100's of Ponytas for Surprise Trade.Stray Thoughts (100 hour edition):- the actual designs of the monsters is on point this gen (remember, this is nominally a kid's series)- the Wild Area (and specifically Max Raids) are ridiculously addictive- Wooloo is love, Wooloo is life.Update: a month and 185+ hours later (added pic to review for proof of hours played).Wow, a month in and I'm STILL averaging more than 40 hours a week played. I do not expect this pattern to hold but this game keeps pulling me back in. Between the Raids, fighting the Gym Challenge again, and flipping Luxury Balls, I have kept very busy.If you are still reading reviews, trying to decide whether or not to buy... just buy it already. You can enjoy it with your kids but it has the depth of strategy to engage adults (to quote one Tim Rogers: Pokemon is the Gran Turismo of rock, paper, scissors).
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2019
Images in this review
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2019
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: Shield
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2019
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: Shield
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2019
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ShieldVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2019
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ShieldVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2019
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ShieldVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Yeudiel
Pesimos graficos copy paste de moon and sun
Reviewed in Mexico on November 19, 2019Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ShieldVerified Purchase
Metasteelers
Excelente juego, aunque hace falta mucho
Reviewed in Mexico on December 12, 2019Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ShieldVerified Purchase
Sandra Sotelo
poketo monsta
Reviewed in Mexico on November 22, 2019Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ShieldVerified Purchase
Wpg_Virgo
Very little is different from Pokemon Sword
Reviewed in Canada on November 1, 2021Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ShieldVerified Purchase
Javier Zepeda
Una Excelente Entrega de Pokémon
Reviewed in Mexico on October 22, 2021Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ShieldVerified Purchase
Javier Zepeda
Reviewed in Mexico on October 22, 2021
En cuanto al juego, me encantaron los gráficos y los apartados visuales, sobre todo elementos de la jugabilidad que se mantienen fieles a la entrega. El juego es muy similar y al mismo tiempo muy distinto a sus predecesores. Es igual en cuanto a ciertos elementos que ya se vienen extrañando desde entregas pasadas recientes, como la ausencia del Pokédex Nacional, la ausencia de los Pokémones compañeros, entre otros.
Una de las cosas que ciertamente no amé pero tampoco me causó disgusto de la entrega fue que no hay GTS incluido en el juego. El GTS en esta entrega se hace por medio de una aplicación móbil (el intercambio de pokémones) y la función de banco se lleva a cabo con la misma y con una aplicación de Nintendo Store.
Fuera de eso, el juego presenta muchas mejoras en cuanto a comodidades y facilidades, entre las que se encuentra la ausencia de los HM (una mejora, en mi opinión) y la posibilidad de encontrarte con otros jugadores en las zonas de uso común como en la Wild Area.
En resumen, este juego de Pokémon me pareció maravilloso y para mí fue una excelente entrega a pesar de que muchos dijeron que fue mala. Me agradó bastante, superó por mucho mis expectativas y, en definitiva, fue una excelente primera compra para mi sistema Switch (del cual me enamoré desde el día que lo recibí).
Muy recomendado, aplausos logística de Amazon, GameFreak y Nintendo
Images in this review
