While they’ve both become massive hits and share quite a few similarities, the AR mobile phenomPokémon Gois a vastly different experience than the Switch release,Sword & Shield. These SwitchPokémontitles rely on (relative) depth and a glitzier presentation with more traditional RPG elements.
Meanwhile, the mobile game, for all its simplicity, utilizes a neat AR feature and hinges on keeping you active, as you have to actuallywalkto seek out monsters. In this sense, the game emphasizes immersion rather than a more fleshed-out presentation or gameplay.
These similar, yet distinct ways to enjoyPokémondefinitely have their own “turf” that they cover and excel in their own way.
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With this list, we’ll map out five great qualities and strengths of each, and help you determine which is likely the better appeal for you.
10Pokémon Go: Simpler, More Universal Appeal
As this is meant to be more of an “app” used while going about your day versus a traditional game,Pokémon Gois meant to provide a quick, easy, accessible experience, as well as appeal to a wide demographic. you’re able to quickly bust out the app when taking a walk, during a lunch break, or when hanging out with friends.
The AR, gyro/touch controls, and ability to track your steps all come together to make for a completely streamlined experience that requires very little learning. It’s really about venturing out and collecting Pokémon rather than being a skilled gamer that must train their party and learn strategic nuances. This makes it so just about everyone with a mobile phone can be a Pokémon trainer-in-the-making.
9Pokémon Sword & Shield: Visuals And Presentation
As you’d expect with a minimalistic app that uses AR for its backdrops, the overall presentation forGoisn’t much to look at. Turning off AR functionality reveals a rather bland, cartoony background, and the overhead map you see while walking resembles a very basic RPG map.
WhileSword & Shieldisn’t going to knock your socks off visually, it’s certainly the biggest leap we’ve seen when it comes to mainlinePokémontitles. The colorful cell-shaded aesthetic is easy on the eyes, and the crisp, vibrant graphics of the vast environments, along with impressive draw distances, dazzle on the big screen.Aestheticallyspeaking anyway, this is about the most immersivePokémonadventure you can experience.
8Pokémon Go: (Mostly) Free
In fairness,Pokémon Godoes utilize the “freemium” model that’s common in mobile games, which coaxes you to buy endless streams of additional assets/items to really get the most out of it most efficiently. Still, at the end of the day, the entirety of the gamecanbe experienced without ever spending a dime.
You’ll need to dedicate quite a bit of time to walking around, tossing your fighters into gyms, and collecting PokéCoins by having them hold the fort there. Still, such featsareachievable, and make for a fun way to collect some cash without having to shell out real money for it. The only limitationsPokémon Goboil down to your own skill, time investment, and dedication.
Compare this to the $60 asking price ofSword & Shieldand the difference becomes clear.
7Pokémon Sword & Shield: More All-Inclusive Content
The recently-announced DLC packages (Isle of ArmorandCrown Tundra) notwithstanding,Pokémon Sword & Shieldgives you all the content you’ll need in a single package, and gives you the means to obtain everything you’ll need in-game without the hassle of traversing your whole town in order to do so. And the best part is, you’ll have a whopping 83 hours worth of content to burn through (for completionists), with no strings attached.
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The initial payment may be a bit steep, but doing so ensures you won’t be shelling out 5 bucks here and $20 there for bundles of PokéCoins - most of which likely won’t do much for you in the long haul.
6Pokémon Go: The Unique Social Element
One of the biggest draws ofPokémon Gois its ability to get people out and about, traveling by foot from one point of interest to another. This can be a uniquely joyful and rewarding experience when solo, but it’s even more entertaining when embarking on these real-lifePokémonquests with friends or family. There’s something about closing in on that rare Dragonair or taking part in an epic Raid battle together that a traditionalPokémongame can’t quite match.
Oh, therearelight multiplayer features inSword & Shield, but being confined to the virtual realm just doesn’t have that same immersive or social impact.
5Pokémon Sword & Shield: Wild Areas
Youcanargue that technically the whole ofPokémon Gocan be viewed as a “Wild Area,” with its GPS allowing real locations to serve as the open worlds in-game. Even if thisisthe case, the open-world areas inGotend to be massively empty aside from the smattering of creatures roaming. This is especially the case if you happen to live in a smaller town with less going on. Basically, this app isn’t ideal if you live in a rural area.
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The Wild Areas inSword & Shield, on the other hand, are brimming with all sorts of things to do, various trainers to fight, goods to collect, and tons of cool monsters to fight and catch. you may even meet up with fellow players and engage in Raid battles here, just like inGo, from the comfort of your home. These dynamic Wild Areas really areSword & Shield’s main attraction.
4Pokémon Go: Virtually Endless
With an ongoing app meant to bring an ongoing stream of revenue, Nintendo and Niantic must incentivize people to keep playing - and they’ve done a great job of this overall.
Between the constantly rotatingPokémonin different locations (with constant new additions), ongoingGoevents, and the vast areas to cover when playing, this is about as close to an “endless” game as it comes. Assuming you get around on a regular basis, there’salwayssomething to do, as you’re able to hunt creatures in the area, lock down gyms, hatch eggs, and engage in Raid fights.
Even the level cap - which currently stands at 40, takestonsof time to reach even if you’re active on the app, as each level takes exponentially more xp to reach.
3Pokémon Sword & Shield: More Depth And Variety To The Gameplay
As you’d probably expect from a mainlinePokémongame - let alone the newest rendition on Switch, the gameplay here is vastly more in-depth and diverse.Sword & Shieldtakes on many of those same appealing triats ofGo, giving you the satisfaction of venturing out and nabbing over 400 colorful critters. Yet, the actual gameplay is more in line with a traditional turn-based RPG.
Between battling/trainingPokémon,facing trainers in gym battles, embarking on Raids, cooking, and taking in the storyline, this is an vastly more “3-dimensional” experience in more ways than one.Gois more of a “short burst” game, as it can get repetitive fairly quickly.
2Pokémon Go: Its Unique, Innovative Features
One of the reasonsGobecame so massively popular following its ‘16 launch was its unique set of features. The integration of the GPS, camera, and the gyro controls of mobile devices allowed Niantic to create a truly immersive experience that felt like beinginsideaPokémonadventure. Seeing these critters in real time when looking through your camera, hitting real locations, and journeying to catchPokémoncreates a distinct feel in gaming unlike any other.
Not only this, but it’s perhaps the biggest game-centric motivator to stay active and burn calories sinceWii Fit.
1Pokémon Sword & Shield: More Elaborate Battles
If there’s one area thatGois still rather weak in - even with its recent refinements - its the simplistic, repetitive battle system. CatchingPokémonboils down to flicking your finger to toss berries andPokéballsat your target, and while the actual combat is a bit more fleshed out, it’s still incredibly basic.
WhileSword & Shield’s battles aren’t too elaborate either, this turn-based combat looks quite nuanced compared to just tapping furiously on your phone screen and launching the same 2 attacks over and over. Your speed and sheer power of yourPokémonreside over strategy or excitement here.
NEXT:Pokémon Sword & Shield: 10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do
