Pokémon Pokopia is the newest Pokémon game, and a satisfying blend between Dragon Quest Builders and Pokémon. It is a brain child of the Pokémon Company, Game Freak, and Koei Tecmo subsidiary Omega Force, the developers of Dragon Quest Builders. It’s a wonderful experience that involves Pokémon, crafting, and healing a world torn by disaster.
Pokémon has always been about the trainers and Pokémon. Unless it’s a Mystery Dungeon or PokéPark game where there are no humans. Pokémon Pokopia is definitely in good company, and it’s exciting to have a game with Pokémon simply being Pokémon. It could definitely lead to a series all its own, but it’s definitely all set to be a one and done entry.
Pokémon Pokopia stars Ditto, a Pokémon that is able to transform into any Pokémon. Ditto usually transforms directly into the Pokémon it uses to move on. Due to an episode in the original Pokémon series Ditto often keeps its face even when it transforms. This has led to numerous merch and art where Ditto transforms but not completely. Ditto is just a happy pink blob with a powerful transformation skill, but definitely has its fans.
The game opens up with Ditto breaking free of its Pokéball. After designing what Ditto’s trainer used to look like, Ditto finally is able to see what’s going on. The game takes place in the Kanto region after some cataclysm rocked the world. There are no humans here, except for Ditto in its human form.
The player doesn’t know exactly why the world is without humans, but they clearly are gone. It’s an interesting premise as Pokémon, while it might have creatures fighting, is generally based in a lively human filled world. Trainers are electric and magnetic characters that draw many people to enjoy the franchise even more. The Pokémon really do take center stage here, and some clearly have learned from their trainers.
Ditto breaks free from their ball, and meets Professor Tangrowth, a different version of the standard Tangrowth, who takes the place of the standard Pokémon Professor. He exclaims how excited he is to see another Pokémon after an undisclosed amount of time. It’s clear he’s been alone, for a long while, as he is genuinely surprised to see Ditto.
In the dialogue, for several Pokémon they talk about how excited they are for humans to return. Professor Tangrowth knows more than anyone, about humans, and can even appraise artifacts that trainers used. It’s interesting to see how Tangrowth uses their insight to help Ditto and the other Pokémon.
Pokémon Pokopia has a quick tutorial where players learn how to play the game. The game revolves around creating and filling habitats. Players save Squirtle and learn the ability Water Gun, this helps them to restore the ground and grass. When they restore the grass, Bulbasaur returns, giving them Leafage.
Leafage is pivotal for many habitats because four patches of grass equals many habitats. Simple mechanics add up, and soon the player has a thriving ecosystem. They can gather all the items they want, break through walls, and encounter a roster of at least 300 Pokémon. It’s quite the sight to see the world grow and change.
The Pokémon themselves are all quite lovable as always. They talk in this game, as Ditto itself is a Pokémon. It’s fun reading what they might say, and seeing the personalities bubble up too. It’s impressive how many lines of dialogue pop up and even if the player has seen them they may be said by surprising sources.
Ditto possesses a number of transformations as well. They can use these abilities to swim, fly, and bash through the world. Ditto will eventually gain a truly amazing transformation in the end game, that will certainly make creating and traversing easier.
The world itself is quite malleable, and just like in Dragon Quest Builders, players can do with it as they please. Breaking through the turf, crafting items, and building it up at the players whim is all part of the fun. It’s great to watch the world change, and fun for the whole family.
As they continue the story they will change the land, change the weather, and increase the environment level. The environment is a key indicator of the world and it’s pivotal to increase the environment level as it not only shows progress but unlocks new items and challenges.
The environment level can level up or down depending on what’s going on. If Pokémon don’t like the rain and are cold, the level could decrease. It’s good to keep Pokémon happy, and to check on them. Creating houses is a great way of keeping Pokémon happy, especially if they are a type that’s weak to rain.
Building up the world is also key to raising the environment level. Pokémon even have a happiness rating, from Average to Awesome. These different ratings raise the overall environment level and it’s definitely worth it to check in with the Pokémon and make sure they are feeling good about their living situation.
There is a weird building in the Withering Wasteland that will draw players in, which hosts the Team R Initiation Challenge. This challenge will take the course of the game to complete. As players complete the challenges and deliver items, they will unlock the Kanto Gym Badges. It’s an interesting idea, and fun to collect iconic items to boot.
The game has a lot of challenges to complete. They often just boil down to foraging for a certain amount of items. But, they can also relate to story missions. It’s important to clear as many challenges, as they also give the player Pokélife coins.
Many of the challenges will appear as the players raise the environment level of clear story missions. It’s important to always work on the environment, and clear the missions, as they offer Poké the game’s currency as rewards. Though there are daily missions that offer Poke’ too and are especially useful to complete once the other challenges are done.
There is a weekly stamp rally as well. Players will earn stamps every day. Depending on the stamps the player has they will earn more Pokélife coins. It’s just an easy way to earn currency, and players can even share stamps if a friend visits them. Simple things like this promote players returning to the world and it works.
Every player also gets their very own Pallette Town, a clear play on Pallet Town, the starting town in Pokémon Red. This town starts out as a basically blank canvas, except for Eevee. Players can build this up as they please with no problems, and it will quickly become a favorite place for the player.
Possibly the most homey of all the areas in the game, Pallette Town becomes what the player wants. It’s a magical feeling to have all the freedom with the tools at hand, and this place gives it to the player. The chance to truly make something different, and find a real home in the game is wonderful.
Multiplayer does exist as well. Players can invite friends or visit them. When players visit each other they exist in a spectator mode, so other players can’t move or destroy their worlds. Though players can work on the Pallette Town together if they choose. Pallette Town operates outside this rule, because it is meant to be collaborative in some ways.
While it’s a simple multiplayer mode, it’s nice to be able to see friends and play with them. Players can bring a Pokémon along and play Hide and Seek, or build. They can just run around the world and show off what they’ve built. Players can also take pictures of objects and 3D Print them at the Pokémon Center too, which could help out.
There are events to take part in too. Players can befriend new Pokémon, and collect event exclusive items. It’s always fun seeing how Nintendo extends games and this is a great way too. Right now the Hoppip event is in full swing. Players can befriend Hoppip, Skiploom, and Jumpluff right now.
While some people might not like time based events, it’s true they are a good idea. Players are already incentivized to play if they are having a good time, but events are icing on the cake. While some may argue events can run on longer than they should, it’s also safe to say that sometimes it just takes time to find the right length for events.
The music in the game is pretty interesting to boot. The music is fresh and new in many places. It all sounds good and fits the Pokémon soundscape. There are definitely remixes and touches from the Kanto games that mix in as well. It’s honestly a testament to the series, and the music from the original Pokémon games.
There are a number of CDs to collect that are from the different Pokémon games over the years too. It’s always fun finding a new CDs as they are from all through the series. It feels like a soft celebration of all Pokémon is and has ever been. Truly worth it to find them all.
The visuals in the game are exquisite. They really did go all in on the look of the game. It’s likely because the Dragon Quest Builders team has perfected the look of this style of game. I appreciate seeing the Pokémon looking so good, and the world shining too. Some people definitely complain about the graphics of other Pokemon games, but this one doesn’t have to deal with as much, it’s just a world with Pokemon, and one single human like figure. This is likely why it looks so good, it’s just working with less..
Pokémon Pokopia is an amazing game, and one that seems to have come at the right time. It’s a definite system seller just like Animal Crossing New Horizons was.Pokémon Pokopia is a charming love letter to the Pokémon series, and a fun world rebuilding game too. Will the player help Ditto rebuild the world and welcome back all the Pokémon?
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
