A turn-based role-playing game set in the Galar region, a fictional land inspired by the United Kingdom. Players catch, train, and battle creatures called Pokémon while traveling across the region to collect eight Gym badges and ultimately challenge the reigning Champion. The game introduces the Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics, which temporarily transform Pokémon into giant forms with enhanced attacks. A fully explorable open-world Wild Area connects major locations, with weather-dependent Pokémon encounters and cooperative raid battles for up to four players. The first mainline Pokémon entry on the Nintendo Switch, it notably adopted DLC expansions instead of the series' traditional enhanced re-releases.
Pokemon Sword and Shield are a lot of fun, even if the series is experiencing growing pains with the transition to home consoles.
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.
While a lot of Pokémon Sword and Shield delights, there are also a number of things holding the games back.
Sword and Shield are not the best entries in the series but, despite some hard-to-ignore faults, they're still fun to play.
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...
