Lucas Andersson

I’m so sorry X and Y fans, AKA everyone else leaving reviews here. These games are painfully mediocre. It did bring about Mega Evolution a great mechanic and some pretty great new Pokémon designs. However we went from the most story driven Pokémon generation to a bare bones Pokémon experience with an almost non existent and horribly weak storyline. No emotional weight in these games. The fairy type was a welcome addition as it brings more balance to the previously unbalanced Dragon type. These games brought quality of life improvements and improvements to the battle system, but lacked pretty much anything else. Leading to these games feeling very geared towards the casual audience and those who are heavily involved in the competitive Pokémon battle scene. In many ways the new Sword and Shield games remind me of this generation and why it used to be my least favourite. Kalos was a fairly good looking region but felt completely hollow at the same time. These games lacked the “soul” that made Gen 3-5 the golden age of Pokémon (especially if you include the Gen 1 and 2 remakes in Gen 3 and 4) These games also suffer from the assumption that we should make “kids” games easy. No, we shouldn’t. I remember when I was a kid I didn’t want to have my hand held in games. I loved the challenge and rising up to the occasion, it gave the games I played an actual weight to them and I could feel a sense of accomplishment in completing the game. The music this generation also was a massive downgrade from Gen 5. So in review Too easy Awfully bland story with horrible “rivals” Mediocre and forgettable Music

lacking in almost every department Pokemon Sword and Shield is the greatest disappointment from the main line Pokémon games since the painfully mediocre X and Y. If you are looking for a causal Pokémon experience and don’t take the franchise that seriously I would definitely recommend this game. If you are looking for something beyond the bare minimum in almost any aspect of the game I would recommend giving these games the pass. Dynamaxing replaces the much more creative Mega Evolution mechanic in these games. The games get some brownie points from me because of the Dark Type gym leader which I have wanted to see for years. Graphics 2/5 A slight jump from Sun and Moon but very slight. Does not meet the expectations of a main line Pokémon game on Switch. And yes, the trees really look like they are from the PS2. New Pokémon 1.5/5 This is mostly personal opinion but I would say that these new Pokémon don’t look like they where designed in the “Pokémon style” There are exceptions but a lot of these designs look like Ultra Beasts, (which was ok with UB’s because they where literally from other dimensions) Digimon or even Super Mario enemies (looking at you Eiscue) Again this is mostly personal opinion but I definitely feel there is an inconsistency between the designs in this game and the rest of the franchise’s history. Character Design 3.25/5 Here is the category that I feel like they actually did fairly well. There are memorable Trainers and Gym Leaders everywhere. The champion’s design is pretty weak and the two brothers in the post game look kind of ridiculous but overall this is an above average generation for Pokémon Character design Storyline 1.5/5 Really really weak storyline, bare bones. Hop is just worse Hau from Sun and Moon. No emotional weight at all. Predictable and overall one of the worst storylines in any main series game. Around the level of X and Y’s weak story except maybe even worse (somehow) Music 2.5/5 Some good tracks but overall just kind of mediocre, this games music once again suffers from the “too much reverb” disease that Pokémon music picked up from the jump to 3DS. The golden era of Pokémon music was definitely from Gen 3-5. I do think there is some promise in the music of these games with great tracks like the Gym battle music.