With each new game in the Pokemon series, fans are always eager to see what sort of new animations and details will be included for the new Pokemon in the title, but Pokemon Sword and Shield were controversial entries in that regard, to say the least. Fans were disappointed with the seeming lack of care that was put into a lot of the character animations and one fan found a great example of what legendaries Zacian and Zamazenta would look like if their animations came from the real world.
Originally posted to the Subreddit r/aww by Reddit user u/Gastonbeast24 before being reposted to r/Pokemon, user u/SpaceWaterVoid points out the similarities between this video of a dog quickly turning around without seeming to move its feet to the animations that Zacian and Zamazenta have in Pokemon Sword and Shield. The video points out just how ridiculous the legendary Pokemon look while turning and that, if seen in real life, the movement would give many people reason to pause.
The turning animation for Zacian and Zamazenta wasn't the only one criticized in Pokemon Sword and Shield, as fans found plenty of reused animations from previous Pokemon titles within them. Normally, that wouldn't be much of an issue as studios who develop sequels to games that run on similar engines often reuse animations; however, Game Freak promised that Sword and Shield would have some of the best animations ever included in a Pokemon game and cited the many new, detailed animations as a reason for the games' exclusion of a National Pokedex.
When looking at some of the poor-looking animations that were included in the final cut of the game, with Zacian and Zamazenta's turning being one of the worst, it's no wonder why fans were dissatisfied. Although there were attempts to boycott Pokemon Sword and Shield as a way to show the Pokemon Company and Game Freak that fans wouldn't stand for any more poor quality, cookie-cutter titles in the series, Sword and Shield still went on to be one of the Switch's best-selling titles.
It seems like Game Freak may have listened to some of the critique raised by fans, however, with Pokemon Legends: Arceus seemingly shaking up the Pokemon formula. It's still to be seen if Game Freak's next title will be able to deliver on the promise of a Pokemon game that features unique, detailed animations, but so far, it seems like Pokemon Legends: Arceus might be able to win fans back with its changes to the series.
Pokemon Sword and Shield are available now for Nintendo Switch.