I hadn't played a Pokemon game in over a decade. Pokopia wasn't what I expected.
The latest Pokemon game, Pokopia, departs from the series' traditional monster-catching formula by focusing on environmental restoration and friendship. The reviewer notes that while it lacks the adrenaline of classic battles, it offers a unique, slower-paced experience.
Why it matters
This shift in gameplay mechanics reflects broader trends in the gaming industry toward non-violent, narrative-driven experiences that emphasize world-building over competition.
As far as I can remember, Pokemon games have followed a similar formula.
As an aspiring Pokemon trainer, you pick one of three starter Pokemon at a professor's lab before you embark on a journey to become the very best.
While the starting towns, professors and Pokemon you receive have varied over the years, one thing has always held true - you're human.
The latest instalment of the series, Pokemon Pokopia, flips that long-standing formula on its head.
The game recently released its latest downloadable content (DLC), Bubbly Basin, and I had the opportunity to trial the game at an exclusive media event held by The Pokemon Company (TPC).
Interestingly, Pokemon Pokopia has fans playing not as human beings, but as a humanoid instead.
The game follows the story of a Ditto, a shapeshifting Pokemon, as it takes on the form of a trainer, interacting with the world around it.
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