More Pokemon Pokopia news just dropped after some weeks of teasers and short videos. The new, over-10-minute trailer and content on the official Pokemon website gave us a huge chunk of information and some of these new info can't help but make us feel more excited for this latest and cozy, Pokemon title.
These news are just enough to make even the most cynical Pokemon players turn heads and give Pokopia a shot thanks to what we learned so far. This game might have a very sad, even apocalyptic plot, and a lot more. Intriguing and interesting are the best words to describe the feeling.
What’s New With Pokemon Pokopia?
Pokemon Pokopia is the latest Pokemon title coming March next year exclusively for the Switch 2 (which is a first) and it seems to be its boldest yet. Needless to say, it is not a mainline game as this focuses more on the sandbox, community-creating, terrain-altering gameplay. Think Pokemon meets Animal Crossing and Minecraft. The setting seems to be in a mysterious and ruinous land.
But the latest news just shed a bit more light about the adventure we're about to embark in. New but equally familiar faces, new travel methods, and a selfie mechanic? There's a lot to talk about here and if you find these interesting, keep reading!
New Familiar Faces
There are four Pokemon introduced that look so familiar but they seem to be cut from different stones from their original species and design. Take a look :
Professor Tangrowth
We have Professor Tangrowth, a slightly discolored Tangrowth with a TM on its head, holds a stick, and probably wields a mentor-like knowledge to guide us in the game.
Peakychu
Then there's Peakychu, a luminous and very pale Pikachu that looks like it's been through a lot and seems to be weary.
Smearguru
We also have, Smearguru. Just a messier Smeargle with paint all over its body. But those green and red mustache? We love it already!
Mosslax
And lastly, there's Mosslax, a Snorlax who's been sleeping for so long, moss started to grow around its body and a flower swaying on its head. Game Freak, we need a life-sized plushy of this ASAP!
New Traversal Mechanics
We also saw that, although not new knowledge, that our Pokemon can transform parts of its body to copy Pokemon abilities like Scyther's arm scythes to cut grass or Hitmonchan's knuckles to destroy rocks.
The surprising part though is our protagonist Ditto can also fully transform into a Pokemon to expand its travel abilities. Our Ditto can transform into Lapras to travel the seas or turn into Dragonite to soar the skies. Although if we have to guess, these will be late game stuff.
A Sad Beginning?
One thing that also caught us off guard is the sad tone that the 10-minute trailer showed us. Initially, Pokemon Pokopia teasers and clips have been quirky, colorful, and upbeat gameplay but with the new story tease we got, it gives off a very different vibe.
We see Professor Tangrowth aimlessly loitering the barren lands with no living plants in sight and Pokemon Centers crumbled to the ground without giving us context what caused these calamities. Going back to the familiar faces, why does Peakychu look so sick? Is there something sinister going on? Guess we'll find out in March.
Pokopia Selfies? Yes, Please!
Now on a lighter note, we also that like other modern Pokemon titles, we can also take selfies in Pokemon Pokopia. Don't ask us how because we haven't figured that one out yet. But for a game that focuses on growth, development, memories, and variety, this selfie mechanic is just too perfect.
We can't wait to start taking snaps of the Poke-buddies along the way and flex them online with other Pokopia players. Equally, we can't wait to see others' entry too!
Game Key Card, Though?
Yes, the excitement for Pokemon Pokopia is palpable, but some Pokemon fans can't help but feel disappointed. Why? Because it seems all arrows point to Pokemon Pokopia being a game key card exclusive. Nintendo recently released a "How Game Key Cards Work" video and their primary example is Pokemon Pokopia. If finally confirmed, physical collectors will be pissed.
In case you missed it, game key cards are basically license unlockers where the main game data will not be in the cartridge and in order to play the game, you need to download the game from the Nintendo Eshop while the game key card cartridge is inserted to your Nintendo Switch 2 unit.
Overall, Pokemon Pokopia looks very promising, fun, and surely addicting. We have always longed for a cozy, almost-farming simulator Pokemon game and Pokopia might just be the answer to our prayers. If there's anything we've learned, Pokemon Pokopia will redefine life simulator games with creativity, emotional value, and nostalgia.