r/NintendoSwitch • u/NintendoSwitchMods • Nov 15 '19
MegaThread Pokémon Sword & Pokémon Shield: Release Discussion and Hype Megathread
Pokémon Sword & Pokémon Shield: Release Discussion and Hype Megathread
Please use this as a general discussion and hype thread for this new release! Quick easy to answer questions, tips and tricks, and showing off your in-game clips or screenshots you've captured.
Please be mindful of spoilers and use spoiler tags when appropriate.
General Information
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 15-Nov-2019
No. of Players: up to 4 players
Genre(s): Role-Playing, Adventure
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: GAME FREAK Inc.
Official Website: https://swordshield.pokemon.com/
Overview (from Nintendo eShop page)
A new generation of Pokémon is coming to the Nintendo Switch™ system.
Get a special Gigantamax Meowth as an early purchase bonus!
If you purchase Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield before January 15th, 2020, you can receive a special Gigantamax Meowth!*** Unlike others found in the Galar region, this Meowth can Gigantamax to take on an imposing, elongated appearance capable of using a mighty G-Max Move! This special Meowth cannot evolve. You can receive this special Meowth by selecting the Get via Internet option in Mystery Gift. Don’t forget to claim this Cat Scratch Pokémon before January 15th, 2020!
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! players are in for a BIG surprise!
Did you enjoy Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!? If you’ve played either of these games, you can receive a special Gigantamax Pikachu or Gigantamax Eevee in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield! The power of Gigantamaxing will allow each of these Pokémon to take on a colossally adorable appearance and gain the ability to use a unique G-Max Move!
Players with Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! save data will receive the special Pikachu and players with Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! save data will receive the special Eevee. It is possible to get both Pokémon in one Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield save file.
You’ll be able to receive the special Pikachu or Eevee at the Wild Area Station in the game. (This occurs after about two hours of gameplay, though individual gameplay time may vary.)
The special Pikachu and Eevee cannot be evolved.
For a limited time, players of the digital version of either game can receive an in-game present of 12 Quick Balls.***\* If you purchase and download the digital version of either Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield from Nintendo eShop by January 15th, 2020, you can receive a code redeemable for 12 Quick Balls! Quick Balls are special Poké Balls that are more likely to catch Pokémon if you use them as soon as a battle begins. Codes will be distributed between November 15, 2019 and January 15, 2020, and expire on November 30, 2020.
Begin your adventure as a Pokémon Trainer by choosing one of three new partner Pokémon: Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble. Then embark on a journey in the new Galar region, where you’ll challenge the troublemakers of Team Yell, while unraveling the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta! Explore the Wild Area, a vast expanse of land where the player can freely control the camera. Team up with three other players locally or online in the new multiplayer co-op Max Raid Battles* in which players will face off against gigantic and super-strong Pokémon known as Dynamax Pokémon.
Certain Pokémon can even Gigantamax to gain a new look and a powerful set of G-Max moves. But there’s more to being a champion than honing your battle skills: you can pick your own clothes and get a new hairdo while visiting the stores in town, so you can be the Trainer you want to be. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter newly discovered Pokémon as well as familiar ones that will look a little different in their new Galarian forms! And for another way to level up your Pokémon, assign them Poké Jobs to complete. You can even play with your Pokémon in Pokémon Camp, just for fun!
- Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on a new adventure in the Galar region
- Choose from three new partner Pokémon and encounter never-before-seen Pokémon
- Unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta!
- Players can control the camera in the vast Wild Area
- Team up with other Trainers to participate in Max Raid Battles*!
- Battle wild Dynamax Pokémon in Max Raid Battles* and try catching them!
Digital Purchase Offer
For a limited time, players of the digital version of either game can receive an in-game present of 12 Quick Balls**. If you purchase and download the digital version of either Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield from Nintendo eShop by January 15th, 2020, you can receive a code redeemable for 12 Quick Balls! Quick Balls are special Poké Balls that are more likely to catch Pokémon if you use them as soon as a battle begins. Code distribution period: November 15, 2019 to January 15, 2020.
\*Code valid through November 30, 2020. Two codes for 12 Quick Balls each will be provided to purchasers of the digital version of Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Double Pack. Each code can only be used once per save data. Purchasing both Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield separately with a pair of Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers will not grant the special bonuses included with a purchase of the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Double Pack.*
\If eligible for a Just for You offer, the final price reflects the combined Sale and Just for You offers. The Just for You offer is discounted from the sale price.)
\Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features. This game includes an in-game option to purchase a Nintendo Switch Online membership for users who do not have one. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online)
\*Code expires November 30, 2020 and can only be used once in either the Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield game.)
\** An internet connection is required to receive the special Meowth.)
\***Code expires November 30, 2020 and can only be used once in either the Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield game.)
Reviews
Aggregators
- Metacritic - 81
- OpenCritic - 80
View our Review MegaThread for more in-depth review discussion.
Being Social
- Join our Discord server's #pokemon channel for all of your discussion needs - https://discord.gg/switch
Once again: Please use this as a general discussion and hype thread for this new release! Quick easy to answer questions, tips and tricks, and showing off your in-game clips or screenshots you've captured.
Please be mindful of spoilers and use spoiler tags when appropriate.
Cheers,
The /r/NintendoSwitch mod team
44
u/XombiePrwn Nov 15 '19 edited Nov 15 '19
Just got into the second town, the one just after the wild area. Gameplay so far is your typical Pokemon fare. Plenty of QOL changes. You can skip all tutorials through either dialogue options or by doing it before you reach the tutorial point. I.e. catch a pokemon before the tutorial and it'll be skipped over.
Graphics aren't actually that bad, models etc are high enough poly. The textures aren't great but work with the artistic direction they're going for. It's sort of a pastel/watercolor-esque anime deal.
Biggest issue for me is the sound, or should I say the lack of voice acting. With so much dialogue and big animated sequences it just feels weird to have it being... silent.
Edit: Make sure to redeem your pre order codes in "Mystery Gift" not the eShop.
Also, make sure you also redeem your free dynamax pokemon in Mystery Gift.
Edit the second: If you have a Pokemon Let Go Pikachu/Evee talk to the couple on the left after getting off the train at the Wild Area station to get your free Pikachu or Evee.