Introduction

Unveiled by The Pokémon Company in June 2018, Pokémon Quest offered a fresh and blocky spin on the beloved Pokémon franchise. While the series has always been recognized for its classic monster-catching mechanic and turn-based battles, Pokémon Quest ventured into new territory. Set in the cube-shaped Tumblecube Island, this costless-to-start title, available on the Nintendo Switch, mobile devices, and tablets, combined the charm of the original 151 Pokémon with a unique Minecraft-esque visual style.

In the game, players embark on expeditions, battling wild Pokémon and discovering treasures. Instead of capturing Pokémon with Pokéballs, you attract them to your camp with specific recipes, ensuring the game remains rooted in its collection-centric origins. Combat has been reimagined as real-time battles where Pokémon automatically move and attack, with players only controlling when to use their special moves. The game boasts a base-building mechanic as well, allowing trainers to decorate their camps, enhancing its casual gaming appeal.

Pros and Cons

√ Pokémon Quest’s visuals embrace a delightful aesthetic, with charming blocky designs that give the game a unique and playful look.

√ The costless-to-play model makes Pokémon Quest accessible to a wide range of players, allowing everyone to enjoy the Pokémon experience without financial barriers.

√ The game introduces a unique cooking system where players can craft meals to attract specific Pokémon and customize their team, adding depth and strategic planning to battles.

√ Pokémon Quest creates an addictive loop by rewarding players with loot, new Pokémon, and upgrades, encouraging continued play and exploration of Tumblecube Island.

√ The game incorporates social features that enable players to interact with friends, exchange Pokémon, and compete in expeditions together, fostering a sense of community.

× Expeditions can become monotonous over time.

× Although free, some content and faster progression require purchases.

× Attracting Pokémon with recipes can sometimes feel too luck-based.

× Hardcore fans might miss the complexities of mainline Pokémon games.

Review

Pokémon Quest delivers a refreshing take on the beloved Pokémon franchise, offering a lighthearted experience with its captivating art style and accessible gameplay. The blocky, voxel-like graphics give the game a distinctive visual identity, making each Pokémon feel uniquely adorable. The game’s simplicity can be refreshing and appealing, allowing for quick pick-up-and-play sessions. However, this simplicity can also be a double-edged sword, as it lacks the depth and complexity found in other Pokémon titles.

One of the prominent features in Pokémon Quest is the cooking system, which adds a layer of strategy and customization. By crafting various dishes, players can attract specific Pokémon to their camp, expanding their team and allowing for more strategic choices in battles. This mechanic adds depth to the game, making every cooking attempt feel rewarding as players experiment to attract rare and powerful Pokémon.

The addictive loop of Pokémon Quest keeps players engaged and motivated. As you progress through the game, you collect various resources, including Power Stones that can be used to enhance your Pokémon’s stats. The constant need for stronger Pokémon and better loot drives players to continue exploring Tumblecube Island and embarking on expeditions.

While the game does introduce social features, such as friend interactions and cooperative expeditions, the implementation feels somewhat lacking. The interactions are somewhat limited, and the game could benefit from more robust multiplayer options to enhance the sense of community and cooperation.

The inclusion of in-app purchases can also pose a problem for some players. While the game can be enjoyed without spending money, the option to purchase certain items or speed up progress may lead to a pay-to-win environment, potentially creating an unfair advantage for those willing to spend real money.

In conclusion, Pokémon Quest offers a charming and accessible Pokémon experience with its unique visual style and strategic cooking system. While the simplicity of the gameplay may appeal to some, it may leave others desiring more complexity and variety. Despite its limitations, the addictive loop and social features contribute to an enjoyable and engaging experience.