Pokémon Shield

10 out of 10 - The Perfect Companion to Sword, Expanding Galar's Legacy

Pokémon Shield stands tall right alongside Sword as a stellar entry that complements and enhances the Galar experience. It's the perfect mirror that enriches the story, deepens the world, and offers fresh exclusives that keep every player's journey feeling unique and personal.

Why Shield Stands Out

At its core, Shield shares the same vibrant Galar region, the stunning Wild Area, and the epic Dynamax battles. But what makes Shield shine are the subtle twists in story and exclusive Pokémon that invite you to explore Galar from a slightly different perspective.

The Cast

Shield puts a little more spotlight on Bede, who plays a much bigger and more complex role here. Watching him struggle with his ambition, loyalties, and eventual redemption adds emotional depth to the narrative. You also get a different vibe from Team Yell and other characters, enriching the player's connection to Galar's people.

Exclusive Pokémon

Shield delivers some fresh regional Pokémon exclusives you can't get in Sword, like: Galarian Ponyta - a graceful, unicorn-inspired beauty.

Galarian Stunfisk - quirky and full of character, with a unique Ground/Steel typing.

Legendary counterpart Zamazenta, Shield's answer to Sword's Zacian, brings a different legendary feel with a shield-based design and defensive prowess.

Gameplay and Features

Shield keeps all the high points that made Sword unforgettable - the open-world Wild Area, the massive stadium fights, and the intricate gym challenges - but the story takes a slightly different path, giving Shield players fresh motivations and surprises.

The Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics remain thrilling, with Shield offering exclusive Gigantamax forms, adding another layer of strategy and visual spectacle.

Why It's 10 out of 10

Shield perfectly balances familiarity with fresh content. It respects what Sword built while carving out its own identity. The game's polish, atmosphere, and character-driven story arcs make it a must-play for any Pokémon fan.

The soundtrack maintains that high bar, with memorable themes that echo Galar's spirit.

The postgame and DLC continue to impress, keeping the adventure alive long after the credits roll.

The exclusive Pokémon make team-building exciting and personal.

Final Word: Pokémon Shield is more than just a counterpart - it's an essential piece of the Galar puzzle that rewards players with a unique and deeply satisfying journey. Together with Sword, it defines a modern era of Pokémon with heart, style, and plenty of surprises.

10 out of 10 - A legendary shield raised with pride.

If you were expecting an innovative game with the new gameplay. Well you got it but does innovative always mean good? In terms of Pokemon Sword and Shield, no.

Despite mostly adults still playing Pokemon, Pokemon/Game Freak decided it was a good idea to hand hold throughout the game. If you thought complaining about Sun and Moon hand holding would have been effective, well it wasn't. Pokemon continues to dumb down long tenure fans. Pokemon Red to Yellow weren't this babish so what's with the deal for all the hand holding in the last 10 years?

Pokemon Sword and Shield is a new game however it failed to entertain me unlike its predecessors.

Pokemon Sword and Shield is like all the other Pokemon games, but with an upgraded difference that leaves nothing to be impressed about. Pokemon also decided to get rid of great moves and ban various Pokémon from the game. Did Team Rocket make this game? Perhaps because Pokemon has changed the rules and it has oppressed me as a legendary Pokémon player. In addition, The new Pokemon aren't interesting at all. They look ugly. Nowhere near Gen 1 designs which were sexy.

I've played Red to White and to see where Pokemon is today is hash. Pokemon needs to move away from the childish gameplay and stop holding my hand when I've beaten Pokemon Red as a little youth back in the 90s.00s. Whats wrong with producing a T rated Pokémon game?

Oh and I almost forgot. Still no voice work. Pokémon sales tons of these games to geeks. Yet not one game has had the audacity to have voice work. If they are too cheap to pay for expensive actors. Pay for cheap ones do something because I like to read but when I play a game voice work is crucial.

Positive note, the graphics are fine and you get to become a Pokemon champ again with nothing left to do then you feel you've been ripped off for a 90 dollar game that is not open-ended in the slightest. If these games cost 90 dollars? Which child has 90 dollars in their pocket? To make a childish game meant for children and have it cost over 90 bucks makes no sense. Pokemon games should be 20 bucks max. It's adults paying for it and adults buying it. Pokemon needs to stop childing down their fans. Pokemon S and S is evident that Pokémon is going downhill. Sun and Moon were the start. If Pokemon didn't learn with Legends, Pearl and Diamond remake then I guess Violet and Scarlett will be the next step-down.

Plus sales don't mean it's a good game. It just mean people thought the game would be good and took the risk due to misleading marketing.