Pokémon Pokopia seemed like such a slam-dunk on reveal, it was more surprising that Nintendo had never attempted a game like it before. There’s such a crossover between the crowd that loves Pokémon and the crowd that loves life simulator games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, and pairing elements from these franchises in Pokopia seemed a no-brainer.
After getting hands-on during a recent preview session, the excellence of that synergy was made very clear. Pokémon Pokopia is shaping up to be an excellent new entry in the Pokémon franchise, and one that goes far beyond being a simple franchise spin-off.
Pokémon Pokopia preview – quick links
Pokémon Pokopia is packed with a surprising amount of puzzling
In the opening hour of Pokémon Pokopia, you wake as a Ditto with an unusually powerful shape-shifting ability. While all Dittos can shapeshift, you can reshape your body to resemble a human, and also use it to copy the abilities of other Pokémon.
It’s a good thing, too. The island you awake on is near-completely barren. Your unique skills will come in handy with terraforming, to carve out a cosy space where all Pokémon can live in harmony, in environments that suit their needs.
You begin by meeting an intrepid Squirtle, which finds itself in need of saving. By replicating its Water Gun ability, you can revive it. Then, you can use your new abilities to water nearby plants and the ground, reviving your island one block at a time.
Restoring the land eventually attracts a string of other Pokémon, including Bulbasaur, which lends you its plant-growing abilities.
Improving your island
Wielding the elements, you’ll set about watering and growing plants, and eventually discovering new terrains, which can house new Pokémon friends. This system is particularly novel, as it allows for a greater sense of exploration and puzzling as you roam your new island.
It’s all based around tile placement. Four grassy tiles placed together will form an appropriate habitat for a grassland-loving Squirtle. Add some flowers, and you’ll form a habitat for grass or bug Pokémon.
Eventually, you’ll unlock water terrains, and then terrains featuring craftable items. A long bench placed next to a punching bag will encourage fighting Pokémon like Hitmonchan to visit. A tea set and chairs will inspire cute fairy Pokémon to visit.
As you place items together, you’ll eventually uncover a rich array of habitats, each inviting new Pokémon friends to live on your island – whether to have fun, relax or lend powerful abilities. The more Pokémon visit, the richer your island becomes.
Every Pokémon has their own personality
What’s novel about expanding your friendship circles is that each new Pokémon you meet has its own personality, largely inspired by their type. Fighting Pokémon are ready for action, and tend to be peppy and enthusiastic. Squirtle and Bulbasaur are adorable and sweet.
There are elements of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon in how chatty and affable the Pokémon of Pokopia are. They feel like individuals. Your steps forward are driven by curiosity about which creatures you’ll meet next, and whether they’ll be openly friendly or need some coaxing to join your island.
When they settle, eventually they’ll also bring other surprises in the form of personal quests. Everyone on your Pokopia island wants something of you. While in a real-life scenario, a constant badgering to collect items or perform one task or another would be frustrating, these Pokémon make you want to help them.
You’ll have a constant string of tasks to do, and you’ll absolutely love it.
In modern Nintendo canon, Animal Crossing is the closest analogue to Pokopia. But here, the island terraforming and friend-making style of Animal Crossing is paired with an array of deeper mechanics, creating a game that feels akin to Animal Crossing, but with plenty more to do.
Constant requests from Pokémon (and completing an overarching, story-based quest) will keep you occupied. And when you’re not making your new friends more comfortable, you’ll be able to spend time crafting furniture to decorate your home spaces or just vibe against a backdrop of calming scenery.
A clever new frontier for the Pokémon franchise
In my time with Pokopia, I was also given a glimpse at multiplayer functionality, which allows you and friends (four, in this case) to travel together, completing quests and creating your own cosy paradise. As everyone progresses, you get a pop-up box to notify you, with this sparking competition if you’re keen to make the most impact, or be the best island resident.
In solo and multiplayer, what was striking was just how well-rounded Pokémon Pokopia appeared to be. I was perhaps a bit cynical about the game ahead of my preview, if only because it felt too good to be true. A Pokémon game that marries Animal Crossing and Minecraft together, with some Dragon Quest Builders thrown in? It felt like someone at Nintendo had been reading minds (or, more realistically, understanding the modern games market very well).
Read: Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ 3.0 update is the perfect excuse to start over
Now that I’ve played it, I’ve had my doubts hoovered up. If anything, I’m annoyed by the wait to get back to it, because my preview of Pokopia was so personally exciting. I loved the slow-paced rollout of new terrains, and the joy of finding new Pokémon hiding in tall grass. In multiplayer, I was impressed by how vast shared islands can be and how, with grit and determination, you can eventually build up your island into something grand.
I’ve spent nearly 400 hours with Animal Crossing: New Horizons since its launch in 2020. Pokémon Pokopia appears likely to inspire the same kind of dedicated fervour. With just a taste, I’ve been convinced. The game’s release date – 5 March – is now circled vigorously in my calendar.
Nintendo provided flights for ScreenHub to attend a hands-on preview including Pokémon Pokopia and other upcoming games.
