Pokopia is less than a month away from a big release, and after a hands-on experience at Pokémon EUIC, it’s fair to say my excitement levels are reaching unprecedented levels.
First revealed in September’s Pokémon Presents, Pokopia is the latest spin-off game in the franchise’s 30-year history, and, while not every game under the Pokémon banner has been a hit over the years, Pokopia is showing every sign of being a huge phenomenon in the same fashion that Pokémon Go was.
Pokopia Will Attract Players New And Old
During a short demo at Pokémon EUIC, one major standout from the experience was that Pokopia is going to appeal to the masses, thrilling long-term Pokémon fans who want a new way to play with their favourite characters, as well as opening doors to those who don’t have much experience with the franchise.
Even from the short session, it was clear there are various levels of depth with Pokopia. Those who want a simple experience hanging out with their favourite Pokémon will get exactly that, while those seeking deeper content and a more extensive list of tasks are also suited. Flicking through the menus, I was delighted to find a huge page of collectables, including fossils and relics from the human world.
The process of attracting new Pokémon to join you is simple. Like the classic Viva Piñata games, each Pokémon has environmental requirements, ranging from shaded grass beneath a tree to a bench next to a punching bag. Some Pokémon are harder to attract than others, with more complex requirements or a specific time of day needed, and, once they’re a part of your new home, you’ll need to make further adjustments by crafting items or making more environmental changes to increase a Pokémon’s comfort levels.
Again, this appeals to all players. Those who just want to hang out with Pokémon can do that and not worry too much about comfort levels, while completionists will be constantly pushing to ensure everyone is happy.
Pokémon Come to Life in a New Way
Another standout from the demo was how the Pokémon come to life in entirely new ways, each having its own personality, likes, and dislikes. You can give Pokémon gifts to raise their friendship level, and speaking to the Pokémon I found across the area instantly sparked memories of discovering my favourite, and least-favourite, residents in Animal Crossing.
The Pokémon will also interact with each other, and I couldn’t help but laugh when Bulbasaur told me that Geodude smells nice. These types of interactions with Pokémon were one of the reasons why the Mystery Dungeon games were so good, and bringing them to life on Switch 2 in this way opens the door to countless more memories being created.
All in all, I can’t wait to get my hands on Pokopia again, and I can already tell I’m going to sink countless hours unlocking everything and perfecting my Pokémon home.
Are you excited for the release of Pokémon Pokopia? What are you most excited to see in the game? Share your thoughts in the Insider Gaming Discord.
For more Pokémon, take a look at a new product that is the closest thing to a real-life Pikachu you can get, and check out all the Twitch Drops during Pokémon EUIC.
