Pokopia is a calming Pokémon game that swaps battles for gardening

Pokopia is a new Switch 2 Pokémon title that removes traditional battles and focuses on building habitats to attract roaming Pokémon.

Pokopia places players in a tranquil, human-free world where Pokémon roam freely and players build the environments that draw them in. The idea originated with veteran developer Shigeru Ohmori, who prototyped the concept after years of imagining Pokémon appearing in created grass. Game Freak developed the project and brought on Omega Force to assist. The game is positioned as a departure from the series' usual battling focus and leans into building and restoration. Key facts: - Pokopia is built for the Switch 2 and emphasizes creating habitats rather than training and battling Pokémon. - Players control a Ditto that takes on a humanoid form determined in a character-creation screen. - Pokémon appear as you create elements of the environment, such as tufts of grass, and then interact with the player. - The project was driven by Shigeru Ohmori's prototype idea and involved Game Freak with support from Omega Force. - The game draws comparisons to Animal Crossing and Viva Piñata in its focus on building and attracting creatures. Summary: The game reframes Pokémon play by asking players to restore and craft living habitats to welcome Pokémon instead of engaging in battles. Undetermined at this time.