Pokémon Sword and Shield - Review of the controversial eighth generation titles

Pokémon Sword and Shield - Review of the controversial eighth generation titles

Sword and Shield Pokémon they have rightfully earned the title of the most controversial games of the period - or perhaps they are competing for it with Death Stranding. Between those who acclaim them and those who criticize them harshly, the latest effort by Game Freak debuted on the Nintendo Switch making its way through a huge crowd of controversy and expectations. A rather controversial release, in fact, that of the eighth generation: an undoubtedly ambitious and successful final product, from some points of view, but with many technical details (and not only) that unfortunately leave something to be desired.



Writing this review was not easy, especially since the pen who wrote it is an avid long-time player, sincerely fond of the brand. Beyond the not very constructive and poisoned criticisms of those who, in recent days, have filled the communities that have assigned votes perhaps a little too generous to the two new chapters, Pokémon Sword and Shield are still titles that arouse tedious feeling of "Hate and love", for a variety of reasons. But, as usual, let's go in order.

Pokémon Sword and Shield - Review of the controversial eighth generation titles

A glimpse of the rich Galar region

For some it may seem like a heresy, but at the moment Pokémon Sword and Shield are perhaps considered among the most fascinating chapters of the saga. Much of the credit is taken, rightly, there Galar region, beautifully and effectively inspired by royal Britain: theatmosphere that is perceived in fact is satisfying from the first moments of the game. The music they certainly know their stuff, so much so that while they accompany you with vivacity and energy during long walks on the paths (unfortunately still in the corridor) or through the cities, they enjoy showing off styles and sounds that clearly recall both traditional Anglo music and that more contemporary popular.



But thebritish air you can breathe above all in the setting, able to bring to mind the natural wonders of which the United Kingdom is dotted. Taken by surprise by such a step forward for the brand, we often focus on glimpses of the landscapes citizens and natural (which positively strike the eye for concept and composition) never before seen in a game of the saga, to observe pieces of history rooted in the ground or monumental buildings that rise in contrast to small villages set in the landscape, if not even immersed in the woods among magical lights, mushrooms and elves. All these elements, in short, offer the title an actually enjoyable world in which to immerse yourself.

 

Too bad for the graphics. This is (impossible to deny) one of the most negative aspects of the game. The care for the settings is in fact inconsistent, and it is possible to find areas where attention to detail has been put into practice well, and areas where it seems to have before one's eyes a unfinished product. This can be found above all in some naturalistic landscapes, where they are even incriminated texture of trees - for which both the bark and the leaves seem more suited to titles released more than ten years ago. The backgrounds are also all static, although they still give a certain sense of depth, and there is a lazy repetition of decorations and houses, in which the always different element is only the tenant who lives inside. Also catches the eye a few glitch occasional (such as the rival who remains without teeth) and an unsightly effect pop-in of all game elements at far too close distances.



Between interesting inspirations and clumsy accomplishments, the journey we undertake is however still familiar. In the wake of what is a real one tradition, we are called again to play a young country girl (or boy) whose destiny is to become Pokémon Trainer and then Champion. To embellish the adventure there is a succession and alternation of captivating and well-characterized characters, each with their own personality and their own way of speaking. However, it will be a true travel companion Hop, our good-natured rival who will face with us a training path both sporting and character.

Another common thread will be the one woven by dandel, his admirable brother and undisputed champion of Galar, who will sponsor us to participate in the Challenge of the Gyms. Competing to collect the medals of the region, in fact, takes the form of a real sporting challenge in this generation. The clashes in the gym take place in huge stadiums packed with people, obviously echoing the culture based on sport and football typical of the United Kingdom. All carved into one plot composed of heroes and legends, which certainly knows how to intrigue the public but which, although it turns out to be perhaps more fruitful than that offered by the Sun and the Moon, lacks a certain verve capable of making it completely satisfying and tempting.

Pokémon Sword and Shield - Review of the controversial eighth generation titles

Ready to explore the Wilds?

THEopenworld it is one of those components that many gamers look for in the latest generation titles. The idea of ​​taking part in missions and adventures whose background is a living, dynamic and constantly evolving world is moreover satisfying and at least aiding in the suspension of disbelief necessary to successfully immerse yourself in the pieces of the plot and immerse yourself in the shoes of the protagonists. With the Wildland This aspect has also been implemented in the Pokémon games, although unfortunately not at 360 degrees and not in a completely adequate way.



The open world of Spada and Scudo is indeed maimed and cracked by leaks, while being intriguing to travel on foot or by bicycle. It is in fact a function relegated only and exclusively to a fairly large area of ​​the map (even if I would have thought of something larger) and which does not allow, absurdly, a total rotation of the view: in essence, it is not possible to see too much higher than one's nose (no sun, moon and clouds) by gambling the experience in the presence of Pokémon that flutter above our heads.

Just this nice flutter e swarm of more or less majestic Pokémon around the Galar moor, paradoxically full of ungainly herbs, ponds with still waters and sudden arid flashes, makes the Wilds interesting enough to explore, especially if you want to complete the Pokédex. The Lands are also a meeting place with other connected players online courses, replacing in their own way what was once there GTS - strong lack of this chapter, unfortunately. You can actually "interact" with users, who will certainly not fail to give us if they stop for a greeting instruments o ingredients for curry (at least that), and fight with them in the phantom Raid Dynamax, clearly inspired by "Pokémon-GOniana".

Too bad, however, for the lag, undoubtedly one of the most serious defects found in the Wild Lands. Leaving aside the mutilated open world, the climatic variations that follow one another too clearly and little weighted geographically, and turning a blind eye to what is the actual degree of attention to detail typical of the whole area (and once again the trees are pulled in between), the Wild Lands, which perhaps have just the name, I'm theheight of the problems of communication found by the player. In fact, they not only spectacularize a continuous alternation of unknown users on the move jerky for the map, but become the scene of a long e endless waiting search for players when you intend to face Raids in company.

Pokémon Sword and Shield - Review of the controversial eighth generation titles

Nostalgia and new introductions

One of the big returns in Pokémon Sword and Shield is undoubtedly the Gyms. In fact, the classic battles until the last Pokémon are back to get the much coveted medals, the key to the final fight against the Sample of the region. An interesting addition of the eighth generation is undoubtedly that of the pre-fight challenges, in which each player is called to face questions, tests of acumen and skill before being able to reach the Gym Leader on duty. Unfortunately, this should be emphasized, although it is certainly a pleasant addition, it is not, however, an element capable of increasing the difficulty bar of the titles, which in fact remain not very dynamic and undemanding from start to finish.

As if to counterbalance this necessary return, however, the much criticized is presented thinning of the Pokédex, due to which it is not possible to obtain and train all creatures implemented from the first to the last generation. The selection is in fact limited to 400 monsters, a number certainly more suited to those who are not accustomed to the brand and the more classic competitive side. The native creatures of Galar, however, are still interesting both for concept and for moveset e combinations of types, not to mention the new alternative forms of old and timeless Pokémon.

Pokémon Sword and Shield - Review of the controversial eighth generation titles

Too bad for the animations. These, in fact, are another sore point of Pokémon Sword and Shield, and this applies to both the monsters and their human companions. Although in fact some of the eighth generation fighter creatures have new moves (some peculiar) extremely well made and above all intelligently characterized - just think of the evolutions of Scorbunny that follow the concept of a football player - others unfortunately are badly recycled, that is, not specifically adapted to the size and type of Pokémon, thus causing unsightly interpenetrations, and some even non-existent, such as Double kick.

A feeble recycling of animations can also be found in the movements of the human protagonists, and Hop is undoubtedly the main offender. And although in general human gestures are almost always fluid and free, it often happens to notice some characters that rather than move they rotate directly on themselves, without offering a real effect of movement - the same thing applies to Pokémon that run or they collect the ball during the Poké Camp.

 

Rotomina, Poké Job and Pokécampeggio they are also other small exclusive introductions (at least at the moment) of the Galar region. The last one, in particular, is to be considered a sort of culinary evolution of the Poké me & you, useful for increasing the level of harmony and friendship with your Pokémon and to heal them in case of KO or status problems. How? Cooking of the curry. Well, not just any curry, of course, but a huge choice of types able to satisfy every palate - to the delight of Pokémon and youngsters.

Undoubtedly, however, the major introductions are the forms Gigamax and Dynamax Raid clearly referring to Pokémon GO. Ambiguous functionalities, to tell the truth, are certainly less "theatrical" than Moves Z (fortunately) but not very useful for the purposes of the clashes if compared to Mega Evolutions. Repetitive and trivial if used to defeat the Gym Leaders, they are probably more appreciable during Raids in the Wilderness. And these Raids, however, are to be considered as an integral part of the post game titles - in addition to the opportunity to try your hand at the collection of recipes and medals for your own curries. In the event that they can be updated in a similar way to what already happens on Pokémon GO, and in the hope that the connection problems related to the pairing of players will be fixed, they could therefore prove to be a pleasant pastime.

Pokémon Sword and Shield - Review of the controversial eighth generation titles

A sweaty final verdict

Pokémon Sword and Shield perform well on Nintendo Switch, making the console guarantee an autonomy of more than three hours if in portable mode, without ever requiring activation of the cooling system. L'HD Rumble has been implemented, and is always well exploited on all occasions when it is activated - especially during culinary experiments. On a graphic level, however, the titles do not defend very well if played in docked mode: the resolution in fact it is not the best, and is therefore more appreciable if observed on smaller screens. In addition, there are some slight ones to report frame drop if you leave the internet connection on, and consequently numerous notifications or “stickers” appear on the screen.

Last point to evaluate, is finally the promise with which Pokémon Sword and Shield were presented, that is to guarantee a return to the true substance of which the main chapters were made: the fights and the metagame. Taking advantage of the previous Let's Go as a bridge and landing place for both the old loyal ones lost on the street and for the new more casual players, the promise of the eighth generation was to seriously return to that element hardcore that was missing on the first to debut on the Switch. A promise that, however, was not fully kept. The competitive is back, of course, but it was designed and addressed for freshmen of the brand and / or for i less avid than e-sports. And this despite the presence of bothPro workout, still not very comfortable compared to the consolidated breeding, both of the Torre Lotta.

Anyway, considering the whole corpus of chapters that make up theevolution of the brand, the leap in quality is there and it is palpable from different points of view, so much so that the titles boast of the healthy potential; however, they are present at the same time some stumbles which do not allow the pair of games to be evaluated in an extremely positive way. On balance, these are chapters that cannot convince everyone, but on one thing they are certainly essential: the feeling. That feeling they give is in fact accomplice of involvement and entertainment which, like that of a dear and old Pokémon game, does not make you want to stop playing, even after some initial perplexity.

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