Nintendo’s Switch 2 lineup has been quite stacked this year in both the first-party and third-party avenues. It warms my heart to see just how much love and support the company’s new console has gathered. Over the past couple of months, my Switch 2 became my daily companion, with so many good games finally making their way into a console I can take out and about. Rest in dust, PS5. Soon you’ll get your time again, I swear…
When Pokémon Pokopia was first announced, I must say it didn’t really impress me at first, but the more I watched the trailers that were released afterward, the more I got curious. And then I saw that a lot of my friends were trying out the game, and even saw in the news that Pokopia was sold out everywhere. Since we won’t get the next mainline Pokémon game until next year, I decided I’ve had enough, and so, I decided to dive in to figure out just what makes this game so endearing to people.
Where Have the Humans Gone?
Our story in Pokémon Pokopia begins with a lone Ditto, who wakes up to not being able to find their Trainer. After meeting a uniquely colored Tangrowth that calls itself Professor Tangrowth, they show that the world we once knew is now devoid of humans…and Pokémon. However, this particular Ditto is able to sort of turn itself into a human. If you’ve ever watched that one episode from the anime where that Ditto couldn’t really figure out faces, it’s essentially that. However, because of its transformation skills, it is somehow able to copy other Pokémon moves in a way that can help others.
And just like that, you’re put straight away into the core gameplay loop of Pokémon Pokopia. It is astonishingly simple, yet it’s amazing how in-depth it can be at the same time. The main objective is to raise something called the Environmental Level, and this is done through a variety of ways. Inside your Pokédex are various habitat hints in a section called the Habitat Dex, where you must set the location to be similar to the picture hint. Once you’ve done so, give it a couple of minutes, and a Pokémon will settle in it.
But just having them settle in isn’t enough, of course. Sometimes, they’ll ask that you change their habitat somehow, by placing a toy, a bed, or sometimes changing up where it’s located. As you tailor each habitat to the Pokémon’s preferences, the Environmental Level of that area increases. Oh, wait, did I say “of that area”? Why, yes! As you complete the various main quests in Pokémon Pokopia, you’ll be able to pass through various area gates, which will take you to other areas.
My favorite part about Pokopia has to be collecting the various human-written documents that are scattered across the world. The game doesn’t really mention it, but there are lots of theories you can make from some of them, and I started to get very excited to just learn more. Finding creative solutions to the game’s many quests was also really fun and kept me engaged for hours.
Take Your Time, Literally
One of the aspects that surprised me with Pokémon Pokopia is that time moves forward according to your real-time clock. This changes various things in the game, but the biggest is the fact that whenever you’re building something like a house or restoring a ruined structure, the game will tell you to wait for a few hours in real time, with a good majority of them requiring that you wait until tomorrow. You even have special events that are set to happen on specific dates, but don’t worry about a potential fear of missing out.
See, there is absolutely nothing that punishes you for doing the classic trick, which is going into the Switch’s internal clock settings. Although if you asked me, I would say that is not the intended way to experience Pokémon Pokopia. This is truly meant to be that game you just boot up and relax to after a long day at work, because I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll find something that will catch your attention, especially when progressing the main storyline, even if you play it at, say, late at night.
But still, while I could sing its praises all day, there were a couple of minor gripes I had while playing. For instance, keeping track of your stored items, especially as you expand your areas more and more, can be a bit of a drag, unless you have a notepad handy to jot down where you’ve stored each item. There are some ways around this, such as the ability to paint your storage boxes and use color coding to tell them apart. However, I’m much more willing to blame myself than the game in this one.
When it comes to the Habitat Dex, I also think it can be a bit vague on some of its hints and example pictures. For instance, the Rain Dance habitat doesn’t show that the dolls must be placed on a flat wall, and some tall grass habitats have multiple combinations that the game considers valid. It was something I got used to eventually, and you can press the X button to check the required list of items, but I still wish the pictures were clearer.
The More, the Merrier!
Pokémon Pokopia offers many ways to play together with your friends. You can visit someone else’s world either locally or online, via a Link Code entry. It is worth noting that if you enter the world of a friend who has made much more progress in the game’s main story, you will be promptly notified that you could potentially be spawned in an area you haven’t been to yet. And indeed, any habitats and Pokémon you find on that friend’s island can get saved to your Pokédex. This wasn’t too big of a deal at first, but then I started discovering things that I think I wasn’t supposed to find out, so heed that warning!
But if you still want to create with your friends, the game offers two ways you can do it! First, you can create what is known as a Cloud Island, which is randomly generated. While the items from this island cannot be taken back to your world, you can think of it as a blank slate of sorts, with its own Environment Level, Pokémon, and habitats. You do need to have a constant connection to the Internet in order to access this island, but I do find this the best way for you to hang out with your friends and build things together in the game, without worrying about spoiling each other’s discoveries.
The second method is Palette Town, which is yet another randomly generated island. Unlike the Cloud Island, you can use GameShare and have up to three other players help you build. It is worth noting, though, that through this method, the Pokédex and by extension, the Habitat Dex, are both features that only you, the host, has access to, which does limit it somewhat. Still, besides that, you can do the vast majority of activities that Pokopia has to offer. Destroy stuff, build stuff. Everything goes. So for once, I can say this is a title where GameShare makes sense.
Absolutely Nonstop Fun
Pokémon Pokopia has shattered pretty much all the expectations I had, and it deserves every praise it can get. This is precisely the type of game that, even if you boot it up for just a few short minutes, I guarantee you there will always be something that can be done, and before you notice, it’s been half an hour, and you’re still engrossed in it. Whether that time be spent looking for artifacts, decorating your islands, or even meeting new Pokémon, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.
Disclaimer: Pokémon Pokopia was reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2.
