Pokémon Sword
Catch and raise Pokémon across Galar, challenge its Gyms and explore a Wild Area whose encounters change with the weather, while timing temporary Dynamax transformations in eligible battles.
- AI score · out of 10
- 8.1 / 10
About this game
Pokémon Sword follows a Trainer's journey through Galar toward the Champion Cup. Catch wild Pokémon with Poké Balls, weaken them to improve your chances, and raise your partners through battle experience. The Gym Challenge provides the route toward facing the reigning Champion, with major matches staged before cheering stadium crowds. The Wild Area gives you a place to search with a freely controlled camera, and different locations and weather bring different encounters. In eligible battles, Dynamax temporarily enlarges a Pokémon and changes its attacks into Max Moves; its three-turn duration makes the activation point a decision. You can also change your team through Pokémon Boxes while travelling, outside restricted areas such as Gym missions. Sword has its own selection of version-specific encounters and Gym Leaders.
Collected in series
Pokémon is a role-playing series that began in 1996. As a Trainer, you travel the world meeting, catching and raising Pokémon. Filling your Pokédex, building a team and taking on rivals shape the adventure, while trading with friends brings new partners along for the journey.
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Nintendo Switch
AI review
AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:
A fit for collectors who also want a clear competitive journey for their growing team.
The Gym route gives catching and raising Pokémon an ongoing destination, while changing Wild Area encounters can encourage exploratory detours. Dynamax adds a limited battle window, making its timing relevant for players who enjoy planning when to commit a temporary advantage.
Strengths
- Weather-dependent encounters give interested collectors a concrete reason to revisit different parts of the Wild Area.
- A once-per-battle, three-turn Dynamax window can make deciding when to commit a Pokémon an engaging tactical choice.
Weaknesses
- Players expecting to catch every visible Wild Area Pokémon immediately may find its early capture restrictions frustrating.
Who it is for: Players who enjoy growing a team through battles, looking for different Pokémon and working toward a championship goal.
Play notes: Sword and Shield differ in some encounters and Gym Leaders; exploring Sword alone does not reproduce Shield's encounter selection.
View scoring basis
| Dimension | Review state | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension A championship route alongside weather-dependent exploration should suit players who want a stated goal but also reasons to take collecting detours. | Reviewed | 8.0 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Catching and training gain a tactical focal point when you decide which Pokémon should use the limited Dynamax opportunity. | Reviewed | 8.1 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Cheering stadium crowds frame Gym battles as public sporting occasions, which can strengthen the tournament fantasy for competition-minded players. | Reviewed | 8.5 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Access to Boxes while travelling should make team experimentation more convenient, though Gym mission areas still require preparation before entering. | Reviewed | 7.7 / 10 | Not provided |
Review sources
Not provided
Core information
- Developer
- GAME FREAK
- Publisher
- The Pokémon CompanyNintendo
- Release date
- 2019
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch
- Content kind
- Game
- Release state
- Released
- Region
- Worldwide
- Official website
- www.nintendo.com
- Offline minimum players
- 1
- Offline maximum players
- 1
- Online minimum players
- Not provided
- Online maximum players
- Not provided
- Categories
- Role-Playing · Primary genre
- Tags
- Local Co-opStory-drivenPlayer versus EnvironmentSemi-open WorldLevel ProgressionExploration
- Supported game languages
- Simplified ChineseSpanishFrenchGermanJapaneseEnglish
- Requires base game
- Not provided
- Standalone
- Not provided
- Age ratings
- ESRB: E10+
- Play modes
- Single player
- Perspectives
- Third person
Release editions
- Nintendo SwitchWorldwide2019
Game gallery
Sources
- www.nintendo.comSource revision: 1
- www.nintendo.com