Pokemon Pokopia
Nintendo · Nintendo
“Pokemon Pokopia is what happens when Nintendo finally admits open-world Pokemon works, but also admits they still don't know how to make trees look real.”
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The Review
Pokemon Pokopia takes the open-world formula from Legends Arceus and Scarlet/Violet and actually polishes it. The Switch 2 hardware means no more slideshow frame rates, the creature designs are inspired, and the new region has genuine personality.
The catch-and-battle loop is still the most satisfying in gaming when it works. The new Pokopia region blends urban and wild spaces in interesting ways, and the story is surprisingly decent by Pokemon standards (low bar, but still).
The problems are classic Game Freak: the AI is braindead, the difficulty is laughable unless you impose your own rules, and there are quality-of-life features that fans have begged for since 2006 that are still missing. Also, the pop-in is better but not gone.
What It Nails
- +Switch 2 hardware finally does Pokemon justice
- +New creature designs are genuinely creative
- +The region has real personality and variety
- +Catch-and-battle loop is still satisfying
What It Botches
- -AI is still braindead after 30 years
- -Difficulty is a joke without self-imposed rules
- -Missing QoL features fans have wanted for decades
- -Pop-in is better but not gone
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Who It's For
Pokemon fans who have been waiting for the series to catch up with its own potential.
Who Should Skip
Anyone expecting a genuine difficulty challenge. This is still Pokemon.
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