Pokémon Pokopia: A world where Pokémon are the only protagonists, and there’s a reason for that mystery
The new venture from Game Freak and Koei Tecmo eliminates battles and humans to offer a sandbox-style experience focused on coexistence.
As part of the celebration of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, a proposal has emerged that seeks to present a new perspective on the Pokémon world. Pokémon Pokopia is not the classic RPG we are used to, but rather a shift toward life simulation and the sandbox genre. Ishiguro Omori, senior director at Game Freak, together with Takuto Edagawa from Koei Tecmo, have designed an ecosystem where the goal is not to become the best trainer, but to learn to coexist in a world that seems to have forgotten humanity. After playing for a couple of hours, we had the opportunity to chat with them to learn more about the title.
Why choose Ditto as the hero of this adventure?
The decision to make Ditto the protagonist was no accident. According to the developers, since there are no humans or trainers in this world, it was necessary to have a Pokémon capable of communicating uniquely with other species. Ditto, thanks to its ability to transform, allows for innovative progression mechanics: as you meet other Pokémon, it learns their moves and abilities, which in turn allows you to interact with the environment and build new habitats.
Unlike the main titles in the series, there is no traditional evolution here—for example, a Charmander will not become a Charizard—but rather a constant learning of skills that facilitate the creation and expansion of your own world.
What happened to humans and how does this affect the game?
One of the most intriguing aspects of Pokopia is the complete absence of humans. The game presents an atmosphere that combines the adorable with a subtle melancholic tone. The developers define their visual style as “chill and pop,” using sweet colors and soft textures to make the player feel calm, even while exploring the ruins of what was once civilization.
- No trainers: there is no traditional capture mechanic; relationships between Pokémon are based on encounters and cooperation.
- Optional mystery: although the world suggests that something happened to humanity, players can enjoy everyday life without having to solve this mystery if they prefer a lighter experience.
- Evolutionary music: a particularly interesting detail is that the soundtrack will change and become closer to the classic themes of the series as the player “revives” or rebuilds different areas of the world.
Is this a game for all audiences?
Definitely. The development team emphasized that Pokémon Pokopia seeks to appeal to both longtime fans and those who find competitive battles stressful or inaccessible. It is an experience designed to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, ideal for both young players and those seeking a more relaxed digital refuge. The focus is on communication: not only between the Pokémon within the game, but also between the players themselves, who will be able to share their progress and decorations on their respective islands.
Undoubtedly, Pokémon Pokopia aims to reach new audiences by offering a different gameplay experience that takes full advantage of the capabilities of Nintendo Switch 2. Add to this its multiplayer component, and everything points to this being one of the titles in the franchise that will be the talk of 2026.
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