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Editor Reviews

Pokémon Quest, a free-to-play mobile and Nintendo Switch title, deviates significantly from the core Pokémon formula. Instead of a traditional turn-based RPG, it presents a charming, simplified action RPG experience set on a vibrant, blocky Tumblecube Island. The core gameplay loop revolves around exploring the island, battling wild Pokémon, crafting potent recipes to attract powerful Pokémon to your team, and ultimately, conquering challenging expeditions. The game's distinctive art style, featuring chibi-like Pokémon designs, instantly appeals to younger audiences and longtime fans alike, making it instantly recognizable as part of the Pokémon universe yet distinctly its own. The simplified combat, though lacking the strategic depth of mainline Pokémon games, promotes accessibility and rapid gameplay loops that reward consistent engagement. Furthermore, the game's progression system, tied to both cooking and battling, is well-designed, offering a palpable sense of accomplishment as players unlock and strengthen their Pokémon teams.

The gameplay hinges on assembling a three-Pokémon team and sending them into auto-battling encounters. Players indirectly influence combat by selecting the Pokémon's moves and equipping them with power stones that enhance specific stats. Exploration is handled via a world map, with various areas unlocking as the player progresses. Combat is real-time, though not particularly demanding, with Pokémon automatically attacking and using their abilities based on the player's assigned moveset. The cooking system is a key component, demanding players gather ingredients and cook meals using a variety of recipes to lure specific Pokémon to join their team. These recipes often require experimentation and strategic ingredient collection, adding a unique layer of depth to the gameplay loop. The expedition system provides a more challenging mode, with increasing difficulty and substantial rewards for successful completion. Finally, the player’s base camp serves as a social hub, allowing players to visit other players' camps and even participate in cooperative events.

Pokémon Quest's greatest strength lies in its accessibility and charming presentation. The simplified combat system eliminates the complexity often associated with RPGs, making it easy for casual players to pick up and play. The adorable, blocky art style is highly appealing, and the soundtrack is upbeat and infectious. The cooking mechanic introduces a strategic layer beyond simple battles, encouraging experimentation and repeated gameplay. The sense of progression is well-paced, consistently rewarding players with new Pokémon, power stones, and camp upgrades. The inclusion of both single-player and asynchronous multiplayer elements allows for diverse engagement, catering to both solo and social playstyles. Moreover, the free-to-play model, while featuring in-app purchases, doesn't feel overly intrusive, allowing players to progress at a reasonable pace without spending money.

However, the game's simplicity can also be viewed as a drawback. The lack of strategic depth in combat can feel repetitive for players accustomed to the complex tactical battles of other Pokémon games. The auto-battling system limits player control, often leaving the outcome feeling less dependent on skill and more reliant on sheer Pokémon power. While the cooking system adds a unique layer, the ingredient gathering can become tedious, particularly in the later stages of the game. The progression curve, while initially satisfying, eventually plateaus, leaving players with a sense of diminishing returns. Lastly, the asynchronous multiplayer aspect, while enjoyable initially, lacks a truly robust social element, lacking any real-time interaction or direct PvP competition.

Pokémon Quest is ultimately best suited for casual players looking for a charming and easily digestible Pokémon experience. Its simplified gameplay and adorable art style make it a great choice for younger audiences or those seeking a less demanding Pokémon title. Those looking for strategic depth and challenging combat reminiscent of the mainline series should look elsewhere. While it does offer a satisfying, short-term loop of collecting and upgrading Pokémon, the lack of long-term engagement and strategic depth ultimately limits its appeal. The game's charm and accessibility are significant strengths, but the lack of enduring content ultimately holds it back from truly captivating players in the long term. Therefore, Pokémon Quest serves as a delightful diversion but shouldn't be expected to replicate the complexity and depth of the core Pokémon franchise.

Description

Pokemon Quest is a Nintendo game launched on May 29, 2018. This game was initially launched on the Nintendo Switch platform. In June 2018, this game was launched on the mobile iOS and Android platforms. This game starts a new adventure on an island called Fang Cola. The goal is to find the treasures sleeping on the island. All Baokemeng looks like a square. The game stage is located on Fangke Island. The global cumulative download volume exceeded 7.5 million.

Features

The combat mode is a simple operation of touching the screen. The partner Baokemeng can defeat the enemy Baokemeng in the adventure and obtain items such as P-stone and cooking materials. All kinds of P strength stones can be embedded in the P pendant of Baokemeng, which can improve the HP, ATK and move effects of Baokemeng. Using materials to cook food can make Baokemeng join the "base camp" as a partner. Use decorative items to decorate the base camp and gain various bonuses to help explore the island.