A little disappointing...

Pokémon games have been getting more and more simple over time. Eurogamer highlighted this perfectly – there are zero dungeons in these games, and no route more complicated than viridian forest, a literal tutorial area from the earlier games. The new features like Dy amax battles are fine, but only that. It feels like they've just forgotten half the game. The story is brief, the Pokedex is brief, the areas are small and linear, the endgame is a joke… Honestly I wish I had never bought this, we vote with our wallets and I won't be buying any future pokémon games unless they lose the mobile-game-esque simplicity – or at least make it optional.

Nintendo Switch Pokemon Sword POKEMON SWORD review

Pokémon Sword is the best Pokémon game in many ways. With a necessary streamlining and major leaps in presentation, Game Freak has developed a title that impresses in all the right ways.

Pokemon Sword and Shield Review

Pokemon Sword and Shield is an excellent entry in Game Freak's iconic franchise, pushing the series forward in some exciting ways while never forgetting the roots that made it so loved in the first place. While it underwhelms in its visuals and under-baked use of new ideas, the act of exploring Galar and catching creatures remains as delightfully compelling as it's ever been – and that's what really matters in the end.

Galar is a vast and inviting world; Combat remains as charmingly addictive as ever; So many new Pokemon to encounter across the new region; Innovates on the formula is some great ways;

Visually underwhelming in places; Some of its new ideas feel a bit underutilised;