My Conflicted Early Impressions of Pokemon Sword and Shield

I finally got my fuzzy blue hands on Pokemon Sword and Shield, and so far I'm having fun...but I'm also pretty torn.

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TWOOTER: @ArloStuff

"Reloaded Installer #11" by LHS.

[SonicFrontiersisaGoodGame]

"I just feel like they should've been further along by now." Basically sums up gamefreak

[nintendolife]

Arlo, we need to have a word about 'British' humour.

[Protendo]

I have a bone to pick with GameFreak.

A *Cubon-*

*No, I... I can’t. It’s too soon.*

[DarthChocolate]

The Good: Its still Pokemon.
The Bad: Its still Pokemon.

[jamesviant]

Arlo: "G'day mates, that's a bit of British humor for you"
Australians look on in confusion

[GekTC]

This is the most honest first impression I have watched from someone who outright mentions that their game copy was handed by Nintendo.

[Strawhatfox]

They should expand on the wild area, they have something there.

[krafterkt]

I wish Pokémon were to scale so I can have 4 inch cutiefly fight 40ft wailord

[MrGuy__]

"A lotta stuff that's like 'yeah', a lotta stuff that's like 'eh'"


Arlo, I love you

[michaeltuohy]

Arlo: *Australian accent* g'day mates

Arlo: that's a little British humour for you

[difty-dift]

"It's okay"
"It's fine"
"It's alright"
"I don't know"


I've been hearing this a lot lately and it's pretty telling.

[burnttoast]

The most common reviews I’ve heard are exactly like this one.
“It’s alright, I’m having fun”
“Hope they do better next time”
“Expected a little more from an HD game”

And I think that says something

[davemarx]

You'll hear gamers like me talk about how graphics aren't that important but when I say that I mean I don't mind graphics that are a generation or two behind *IF* it's in the interest of a better experience.
You can't just use n64 trees without adding something to compensate.
A balance must be struck.

[Tobykachu]

From what I've seen so far... these games could have been f*cking incredible if they'd just been given more time.

[Nextgen]

The main issue is still the same. It look's, and feels, like a Pokemon game.

On a console where Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Luigi's Mansion, Fire Emblem (say what you will, the character animations were great), and SO many other game's that Look and Feel Awesome!

And Pokemon's just...pokemon.

It just doesn't feel like a next generation game on a next generation system.

[bld]

"I'm sure the story picks up later"
"This first area of the Wild Area seems a bit empty but I can't wait to see the later ones"

You sweet summer child...

[piratecat]

At least the trees make me feel nostalgic about ocarina of time

[SmashinOblivionGate]

The honesty w both the positives and the negatives further highlights the problem with the big company reviews like ign and the like. This review actually provided me with information. This game still doesn't seem right for me but at least doesn't glorify the game as the best in the series or negate that it has any positive innovations. Thanks Arlo. Keep it classy

[Luminousplayer]

i remember when twitter was like" do you really think they will keep that ocarina of time tree in there? its obviously a placeholder" oh dear...

[IbbyMelbourne]

My issue is that, because it’s now on the Switch, it’s now a FULL $60 game... but it’s objectively less in every way. I don’t need a complete Zelda BotW style overhaul (though that would be amazing), but Game Freak couldn’t even give us a game with the same stale content as before. I don’t think saying that people were expecting too much is even fair. People were at the very least expecting the bare minimum. No mater how you look at it, it’s now a $60 game but it’s just less. AND WHY ARE PEOPLE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE SHADY POKEMON HOME STUFF?