While there was some interest in Pokémon Pokopia, a life sim title in the Pokémon franchise developed by Omega Force, no one really knew what to expect from the Switch 2 exclusive. However, the reviews are in and based on critics’ impressions, it’s already the console’s first killer app for the year.
On Metacritic, it currently has a 89 Metascore based on 50 reviews, which currently makes it the highest rated Pokémon game on the site (just above Pokémon Y on the Nintendo 3DS). Some choice quotes include VGC, who called it an “excellent life simulation game that takes the best bits from the champions of the genre and evolves into something that Pokémon fans, and cozy game fans will love.”
Game Informer called it “a game of wonder, exploration, and revitalization, delivering a cosy, satisfying experience with no threat of danger.” Meanwhile, IGN said it’s “a real treat: an enjoyable building and town simulator that capitalizes on the charming personalities of its monsters in a way that appeals to both the creative and collector alike.”
Perhaps the highest praise comes from GameSpot, which said it’s a “combination of the design sensibilities of Animal Crossing and Dragon Quest Builders, but by melding those two structures and fusing them with Pokémon, it compensates for each one’s weaknesses.”
Some of the more positive points include solid writing, excellent world design with many secrets, and more. Among the few complaints are grinding in the late game, somewhat underwhelming rewards from exploring side areas, and whatnot. However, most reviews praised the game’s cozy feel and repurposing of classic Pokémon mechanics into an enjoyable gameplay loop.
Pokémon Pokopia launches on March 5th for Nintendo Switch 2. The story can take anywhere between 20 and 40 hours to complete, but Omega Force says that there’s plenty to explore in the post-game. If it turns out to be a huge success, you have to wonder if Nintendo will further expand on it, similar to the Animal Crossing franchise.
