Pokémon Shield

It brings Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing in Gym battles and raids, the open-world Wild Area with roaming Pokémon and real-time weather, plus camp and co-op raid mechanics—adding depth and strategic options.

Critics call the Wild Area a “brave stride forward” since it lets you move freely between Biomes, encounter visible Pokémon, raid dens with friends, and experience dynamic weather and time-based spawns.

Known as the “Dexit” backlash, about half the National Dex was excluded, which many fans saw as a step backward. Critics say it hurts completionists but gameplay still feels fine.

The game looks great on Switch, with vivid graphics, Gigantamax animations and immersion—even if some docked visuals feel a bit blurry or blocky. Performance is steady with minor visual compromises.

Yes—Gym rematches, raid battles, DLC expansions (Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra), PvP, and Hero/Master Modes add post-game content. But opinions vary—some say replay is moderate unless you're completion-focused.