Pokémon Unite Review (Switch eShop)

Since the original release of Pokémon Red and Blue on Game Boy, The Pokémon Company has always tried to push their successful monster collectible RPG through many different iterations, genres, and applications. Pokémon has made forays into genres such as digital / physical card games, the Mystery Dungeon series, and ventured into the life of what non-trainers do in the world with Ranger titles. We’ve even seen Pokémon interactions come to life with the Pokéwalker and the augmented reality mechanics of Pokémon Go. This time, with Pokémon Unite, Pokémon has joined the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena genre, more commonly known as “MOBA”.

Pokémon Unite has a gentle learning curve that doesn’t require prior familiarity with MOBAs. Right off the bat, the game teaches all the main mechanics with the prolific electric mouse, Pikachu. Despite easy to understand tutorials, the game lacks more crucial tips such as explaining undefended end zones; they are goals that players can immediately score inside by holding the button down.

Unite follows a 5v5 online format – when 10 players are logged in, each individual chooses their Pokémon before the game. Unite’s default map, Remoat Stadium, features 10-minute matches split into three paths – top, bottom, and center. The two teams try to level up, gain experience, evolve by fighting wild Pokémon and possibly clash with the enemy Pokémon to take control of the map as well as score points in each of the opposing goals that can be found in the upper and lower paths. The central path is mainly for fighting wild Pokémon and Zapdos when there are two minutes left in the match, to earn huge points.

Players have to make constant decisions as they approach the end zones. Is it better to score several points quickly and then flee to safety, or to score more points with the risk of an enemy rushing to disrupt the attempts?

As for the roster at the start, it initially peaks at 20 Pokémon and more will be available in the future. The game is relatively generous with characters from the start, as daily logging in and completing missions allows you to accumulate Aeos Coins, the in-game currency that can be used to purchase specific Pokémon.

Each Pokémon is divided into two groups for basic attacks: melee and ranged. Melee Pokémon such as Machamp have high base HP, outrageous attack, and are capable of taking more damage for being explosive up close, while ranged Pokémon such as Cinderella are glass cannons with base HP. weak but can deal a lot of damage from a distance. You can also divide them into five groups. High mobility speedsters, attackers dealing massive damage from a distance, defenders to protect teammates, supporters to heal or crowd control, and all-rounders who can excel both near and far. There will certainly be Pokémon for every type of player. Choose Pikachu and shock on the sidelines while increasing damage with Electro Ball, or Zeraora to Slash on enemies with a surprise attack, then escape using Volt Switch?

Some Pokémon can trigger boosted attacks that have timed cooldowns; these have various special effects. In addition, there are special attacks; these are learned throughout the match by reaching specific levels, with the player choosing a special attack to start the match. The choices of these moves adapt to the player’s playstyle between the predefined options, so it is possible to adapt to your own approach to battles.

Getting back to your goals in a battle, defeating both wild and enemy Pokémon gives Aeos energy, which depends on the value of the knocked out Pokémon. Starting Pokémon like Lillipup and Aipom give two points each, but tougher Pokémon like Wild Audino give five Aeos energy points. You need that Aeos energy to score points on the enemy’s goal, so it’s never just about trying to rush straight for the goal. Additionally, defeating powerful wild Pokémon such as Drednaw, Rotom, and Zapdos will give the whole team different buffs and perks – working with teammates is vital.

In terms of modes, the ranked game is unlocked at trainer level 6 with several conditions, but the main obstacle is to accumulate five “licenses”. The game does give out a few licenses during the first few days of play, but for free players they can actually hit trainer level 10 before they can play any rated games. Ranked matches last for one season, and depending on the ranks, players will earn rewards at the end of the season. Ranked can be played with friends as long as the ranks are close enough for the game to deem acceptable. Live matches last 10 minutes and points double in the final two minutes, encouraging comebacks and deterring teams from giving up too early.

Quick Matches are unlocked at Trainer Level 9. Quick Matches are five-minute matches with a rotation of three different maps. The three quick maps are Shiivre City, a 4v4 ice and snow map; Auroma Park, a lush 3v3 green card; Finally, Mer Stadium is similar to the default Remoat Stadium 5v5 map in Ranked / Standard, except the venue is on a smaller scale allowing four players for each team. Quick matches, due to their 5 minute duration, give Pokémon faster opportunities to level up and evolve.

Leveling up, unsurprisingly, is the big goal. When Pokémon reach a certain level, they unlock a unit move, which is extremely powerful. Evolution is also at the forefront of gameplay, another key to learning more powerful moves. Aiming to evolve as quickly as possible will tip the scales in favor of a Pokémon against opponents from an earlier evolution. There are other aspects such as hiding in bushes, in classic Pokemon style, and attempting to teleport to safety. There is a lot of strategy to master.

As you would expect from the genre, there are various factors designed to give you the upper hand. Held items can be acquired for boosts, but they also represent the start of some Unite issues. On the one hand, the game does a poor job of explaining the benefits of different items, so you risk wasting in-game currency on Aeos coins and bills. These items can also be enhanced and upgraded with Enhancers, which you can earn on Daily or Weekend Missions. While you can earn key boosts over time, balancing becomes as problematic as – unsurprisingly in a free game – you can spend real money on Gems or Battle Pass to gain an edge and level those items. faster.

The benefits of faster leveling certainly add a “pay to win” feeling to the procedures. It is disheartening that the catch-up rate between free and paid players has such a large gap. Players can spend hours upgrading a held item to level 10 or 15 – or spend $ 100 up front to purchase item enhancers to maximize multiple held items as well as purchasing characters. There is certainly a danger that online contests will become extremely difficult for those trying to level up naturally without paying real money on the boosts.

The inevitable Battle Pass grants cosmetics, additional item enhancers for held items, and Aeos tickets that can be redeemed for useful items. That’s the nature of the free-to-play model, but it feels like the game routinely forces players to spend money in different ways, with the fear of missing out on the optimal experience otherwise.

Your mileage – especially in terms of free play – will certainly vary; especially as you face increasingly powerful opponents online. Another notable flaw, especially for team play, is that Unite does not have a way to communicate with the team outside of the predefined metrics, which can cause issues due to multiple notifications going off at the same time. . The screen can get bogged down and it is difficult to decide on goals. Sometimes it becomes visually problematic to analyze information, and these limited communication options with teammates add to the problem. If you are playing with friends you can of course use another service to chat, but again this is not an ideal solution.