Pokémon Unite was announced as a 5v5 online mobile game that pits teams against AI similar to League of Legends. A brief trailer was shown over the Pokémon Channel, teasing a top-down strategy action game featuring different Pokémon as heroes.
The game lets players control a Pokémon such as Blastoise, Ivysaur, Snorlax or Lucario and use their abilities to fight AI enemies across an open terrain. Much like Riot Games’ own popular MOBA game, Tencent is taking notes in how players progress throughout the match as they capture different enemy bases.
Unite’s trailer also showed cross play between mobile devices and Nintendo Switch players joining up in online crossplay.
It’s heavily suggested the roster for champions Pokémon are limited, with the trailer also showing Gengar, Machamp, Charizard and series staple Pikachu available to pick on Day One. Pokémon can also use their own moves accordingly to combine damage on enemies and capture bases more effectively in numbers. This would also be done over a real-time combat system – a far cry from its traditional and slower turn-based system in core titles.
It’s also worth noting Pokemon Unite is already dividing viewers, with its 25,000 YouTube dislikes outnumbering its likes. But until the game launches, it’s expected that a significant player base would provide feedback as Unite grows. Much like Riot Games’ approach to continual support, the game could also get downloadable content and additional seasons for years to come if successful.
No release date has been announced for Pokémon Unite, while the game is expected to hit compatible iOS devices, Android phones and the Nintendo Switch when it goes live.
