Introduction
Basic information
Developer Name: Game Freak
Full Name: Pokémon Sword
Release Date: 2019
Released on: Nintendo Switch
Cross Play: No
Initial thoughts
Simone enjoyed the initial hours of Pokémon Sword. The early game is colorful, friendly, and approachable, which makes it easy to get into even if you are not deeply invested in Pokémon lore. However, it quickly starts to feel repetitive, especially for someone who has already played several Pokémon games before and watched many more being played.
She also enjoyed watching me explore Pokémon Violet, which made Sword feel more limited by comparison. While Sword does have a few areas where strong Pokémon roam freely, it lacks the constant sense of danger and discovery that later games attempted. After a while, the structure becomes very predictable, and that predictability never really goes away.
Story and setting
Plot overview
The story follows the familiar Pokémon formula with only minor twists. A mysterious energy source threatens the region, and an obvious antagonist tries to harness it for their own purposes. An alien Pokémon from space ends up being central to the conflict (yes, that one called, Nexo, nexa… Necrozma-adjacent confusion included), and the so called champion figure is ultimately humiliated by forces far beyond his control.
Despite all of this, the world continues to revolve around Pokémon battles held in massive football stadiums, even when it feels wildly inappropriate given the stakes. The disconnect between the world-ending threat and the sports tournament is never addressed meaningfully, making the story feel shallow and oddly unfocused.
World building and immersion
The Galar region is visually appealing but emotionally distant. Cities look impressive from afar, yet they often feel like façades rather than lived in places. Routes are short, linear, and designed to funnel the player forward instead of encouraging exploration.
The Wild Area is the biggest attempt at immersion, and while it was novel at the time, it feels undercooked. Pokémon roam the overworld, but the space lacks depth, secrets, and environmental storytelling. Compared to later games, it feels more like a prototype than a fully realized idea.
Character development
Character development is minimal. Rivals and champions have clear personalities, but they rarely evolve. Simone did not feel particularly attached to any character, and none of them left a lasting impression after the credits rolled.
Emotional impact
Emotionally, the game is very safe. There are no moments that truly surprise or challenge the player. Threats are introduced and resolved quickly, and characters rarely show believable fear, doubt, or growth. The game is pleasant, but it rarely feels memorable on an emotional level.
Rating for story and setting
I have visited multiple aspects of the story, and after some thought and objective thinking, I rated the story and setting with a 6.
Gameplay and mechanics
Core gameplay mechanics
At its core, Pokémon Sword plays exactly like Pokémon. Catch Pokémon, train them, battle gyms, and defeat the Elite Four equivalent. For fans, this familiarity can be comforting. For Simone, who had already played several Pokémon games and completed multiple Pokédexes, it felt like more of the same without enough new ideas.
That said, the Dynamax system is genuinely fun. Compared to Terastallization in Violet, Dynamax battles feel more readable, more exciting, and less visually overwhelming. Seeing Pokémon grow massive and clash in stadiums works surprisingly well thematically.
Difficulty and balance
The game is very easy, especially for experienced players. Simone, having completed several Pokédexes before, absolutely steamrolled the final boss with little resistance. There is very little need for strategy unless the player imposes restrictions on their gameplay.
Pacing of the game
The pacing is uneven. The early game drags slightly due to tutorials, while the late game rushes through major story beats without giving them time to breathe. The ending feels abrupt rather than climactic.
Innovation and uniqueness
Innovation is limited. Dynamax is the standout feature, but beyond that, Sword feels conservative. It plays things safe instead of pushing the series forward.
Controls and user interface
Controls are smooth and intuitive, and menus are clear. This is one area where Pokémon continues to excel.
Microtransactions
While Pokémon Sword itself does not contain microtransactions, completing the full Pokédex effectively requires:
Pokémon GO (which does have microtransactions)
DLC (which we did not play)
This indirect monetization leaves a sour aftertaste.
Rating
After combing through many of the mechanics, the pacing, and other factors of this game, I rated the gameplay and mechanics with a 6.5
Graphics and art style
Quality of graphics and art direction
Pokémon Sword looks good. Character designs, Pokémon models, and animations are charming and readable. The art style remains one of the series’ strengths.
Technical performances
Performance is mostly stable, though some areas feel visually sparse. Animations can feel stiff, especially during battles.
Environment and design uniqueness
Environments are pleasant but repetitive. Many routes feel interchangeable, and towns often lack interactive depth.
Rating
It took me some time to give the graphics and art style an objective rating. There are many things to consider, but ultimately, I rated this section with a 7.0.
Sound and music
Music score and how it contributed to the game
The music is fitting for Pokémon. Gym battle themes and town music are energetic and memorable, even if none reach all-time series highs.
Sound effects quality
Sound effects are functional and satisfying, especially during battles.
Voice Acting
There is still no voice acting in Pokémon games, which feels increasingly outdated given the cinematic presentation.
Rating
After a lot of consideration, I rated the sound and music section with a 7.
Replayability
Game Length and content volume
Pokémon games are inherently replayable, but Simone was largely done with Pokémon after this entry. She relied heavily on Spookje (Darkrai), which she first used extensively in Pearl and continued to use here as a backup and for catching Pokémon. This consistency highlights both the strength and weakness of the series: familiar tools work forever, but that familiarity can become exhausting.
Extra Content
We did not play the DLC, so our experience is limited to the base game.
Replay value
High in theory, lower in practice if burnout sets in.
Rating
After thoughtful consideration, I decided to rate the replayability and game length of Pokémon Sword with a 6.
Suggestions and comparisons
Suggestions and feedback
Increase difficulty options
Improve world interactivity
Reduce reliance on external games and DLC for completion
Push narrative depth further.
Comparisons
Compared to Pokémon Violet, Sword feels more structured but far less ambitious. Compared to older Pokémon games, it feels polished but emotionally flatter.
Personal experiences and anecdotes
Simone loves using her starter Pokémon for the entire game and building the team around it. I supplied her with some of my powerful Pokémon from Violet, which was genuinely fun to watch and added some shared excitement. Still, by the end, she felt satisfied but finished, not eager to jump into another Pokémon adventure.
Rating
Taking in all the personal experiences with Pokémon Sword, I give it a personal rating of 7.
Last words
Pros
- Solid core Pokémon gameplay
- Dynamax battles are fun
- Good music
- Charming Pokémon designs
- Smooth controls
- Accessible for newcomers
- Stable performance
- Familiar comfort for fans
Cons
- Very easy difficulty
- Repetitive structure
- Shallow story
- Limited exploration
- Indirect monetization for completion
- Lacks lasting emotional impact
Pokémon Sword is not a bad game. It is competent, polished, and enjoyable, but it is also safe, repetitive, and emotionally thin. For Simone, it marked the point of Pokémon fatigue rather than renewed excitement. It’s a decent entry, but not one that pushes the series forward in a meaningful way.
FINAL RATING
6.8
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