Pokémon Pokopia was the strangest announcement to come out of this month's Nintendo Direct, and that says a lot, as there were definitely a bunch of strange reveals. You play as a Ditto in a weird human form and enter what appears to be an open world that you can shape to your leisure to create your ideal Pokémon island.
At first glance, it appeared to be a Pokémon-like Minecraft game, characterized by its blocky visuals. Still, the more the trailer played, the more I realized this is more akin to Pokémons take on Animal Crossing, with a small dollop of Mystery Dungeon thrown in for good measure.
Hear me out.
Pokémon Pokopia is a life simulation game that offers Trainers the opportunity to create their version of a Pokémon paradise. While playing, according to the game's PR we just got in emails, you explore and learn moves from befriended Pokémon to construct unique environments that attract a variety of Pokémon. Collect materials, build furniture, grow vegetables, and design homes for Pokémon. And develop a town that features a day-night cycle synchronized with real-world time, changing weather conditions, and in-game locations with distinct characteristics.
Sound familiar?
Even in the short amounts of gameplay we saw, I got flashbacks to New Horizons town building, such as removing terrain, placing down flowers and items, and we even saw a glimpse of a crafting table that the Ditto works from to make things. But with a distinct theme of housing and designs that remind me of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon.
Why do I say that? Look no further than the house.
The house that was thrown onto the ground screamed 'Mystery Dungeon' to me with its design, and as the world was crafted, I could see elements of classic Pokémon games mixed in with Mystery Dungeon-like set pieces. You being able to talk and understand the Pokémon while taking on tasks they need all strikes me like something I would take off a Mystery Dungeon noticeboard. And while it is not set in that world, I can't help but draw inspiration from some of the early designs we have seen so far.
So if you are telling me I get to make my own Pokémon Mystery Dungeon town in the style of Animal Crossing? Then you can sign me up day one when the game launches sometime next year. All we need now is to see a release date and more gameplay details.
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The post Pokopia feels like Animal Crossing made for Pokémon Mystery Dungeon lovers appeared first on Destructoid.
