Pokémon's upcoming sandbox title, "Pokopia," looks like a kid's game straight out of "Animal Crossing's" book. Of course, the similarities are there because it's a life-sim game, but the mechanics might be the difference maker.
Fans can expect a story-driven experience infused with hints of post-apocalyptic vibes, all while crafting, exploring, and living alongside Pokémon. According to chief director Takuto Edagawa, the main story spans 20 to 40 hours, with even more activities awaiting players after the credits roll.
Whole Concept Behind 'Pokopia'
Edagawa recently emphasized that Pokopia isn't solely about completing the narrative. The "Wild Hearts" director said that the "main motivation" is not to reach the end credits, but instead to create a world with Pokémon and live with them.
"There's more things to experience after the end roll [credits]. So it depends on what you mean by contents, but I believe that players are encouraged to and will be motivated to continue to play the game."
Players will likely spend 20 to 40 hours on the main campaign, depending on their playstyle, and there's more to explore afterward. From here, we could conclude that the game's open-ended design is for players who love to interact, build, and explore Pokémon habitats beyond the story.
Sandbox Features and Building Mechanics
In "Pokopia," players begin as a Ditto transformed into human form on a deserted island. The goal is to build habitats and structures to attract Pokémon companions.
The game's building mechanics draw inspiration from "Dragon Quest Builders," fitting given that Omega Force, the team behind "Dragon Quest Builders 2," is assisting with development. Players have freedom to design, customize, and expand their island, making each experience unique.
Multiplayer and Longevity
IGN reported that "Pokopia" is also expected to feature multiplayer elements, allowing friends to collaborate on building projects and explore islands together. Coupled with its open-ended construction options, this ensures high replayability and varied completion times, depending on how much time players invest in the sandbox mechanics.
Sandbox lovers and "Pokémon" fans have a lot of digging to do next month. The story-driven adventure is only the start, but diving into the content and enjoying every character is another story to be written soon.
Originally published on Player One
