Pokemon has been running for about 25 years now and with each passing title, fans manage to keep the same amount of hype for each new title. That goes the same for Game Freak’s upcoming title, Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Being the first main Pokemon RPG title to hit the Nintendo Switch since the console’s debut, there has been a lot of hype surrounding the latest installment in the franchise. And I’m glad to report in the review roundup that the hype did not disappoint as many critics are liking the game.
Game Freak managed to streamline the game for newcomers while not substituting anything for hardcore fans. If you’re a newcomer to the franchise or longtime fan, this latest installment will give you what seems hours upon hours of fun.
Down below are some of the most respectable gaming sites in the industry, check out the highlights for their reviews on Nintendo’s latest exclusive title — Pokemon Sword and Shield:
IGN 93
Pokemon Sword and Shield are the best games in the series, streamlining its most tedious traditions without losing any of the charm.
GameSpot 90
In collecting, battling, and exploring, Sword and Shield cut out the bloat and focus on what makes these pillars of the Pokemon games so captivating in the first place. You’re not held back by overly complicated back-end systems or hoops to jump through; from the outset, you can start wandering the Galar region, seeing its new Pokemon, and trying out its new battle strategies with very little in your way. This leaves you free to enjoy what Pokemon is all about, and that makes for an incredibly strong showing for the series’ proper debut on Switch.
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.
Pokémon Sword and Shield succeed in bringing some new ideas to the table, but they’re also somewhat guilty of not pushing things far enough. What’s done right is done right, but what’s done wrong feels like it’s come from a decade-old design document. There are moments contained within that are best the series has ever been, but this joy is at times spoiled by contrasting moments that left us disappointed and did not match up to the rest of what the rest of these games can offer. What we’ve got here is an experience full of highs and lows, from the unadulterated wonder and joy of seeing a brand-new Pokémon in a stadium full of cheering crowds, to the monotonous and dragged-out dialogue we just wanted to skip.
Kotaku :
The magic of Pokémon is that it lets you tap into a sense of wonder that becomes more and more difficult to access as an adult. Sword and Shield do that more successfully than any Pokémon release has in years. It won’t be everything to everyone, and it will not make everyone happy. I’m not sure it needs to. It’s a portal to a new world. And it definitely has something for Pokémon’s core audience: everyone in the entire world.
Pokemon Sword and Shield is set to release this Friday, November 15th for the Nintendo Switch. Are you excited for the upcoming Pokemon Switch title? Let us know in the comments below!
