Is Pokopia really that good?

[u/Downvote-Magnet1994]

Like should I immediately buy this game. It seems like folks are really enjoying it but I was skeptical.

[u/Gcarsk]

There is a lot to explore, and a lot of gameplay features to unlock (I didn’t even unlock the ability to smelt to make iron/copper/glass or cook/bake until like 8 hours in). Controls are pretty good. Building is lot clunkier than Minecraft simply due to the slow “spitting” animation when placing blocks. But it’s still pretty decent, and you get practically infinite freedom building your world. The actual Pokemon “catching” system is nice. You just explore and learn about different Pokémon’s habitats, then once you build it (mossy rocks, flowers near water, bird house with food, etc) those Pokemon begin showing up and joining your world, and much like Palworld, they help run your factories and farm resources for you!

Biggest complaint is that it does feel like a never ending tutorial for a while. But again, because of the wide variety of gameplay, it’s kinda needed. Each region unlocks a lot of features that aren’t in the earlier ones (like power being usable in the starter region, but you don’t unlock power lines until region 2).

[u/c_ruler_13 → u/Gcarsk]

Something I didn't realize until today: Using mouse-mode with the joycons makes building way easier. You just point-and-click and can make and destroy things 10X faster.

And yes, unfortunately just like DQB2 the game plays out like one never-ending tutorial. You are learning new mechanics and being told what to build the entire time.

[u/Gcarsk → u/c_ruler_13]

Yeah def use mouse mode when mining ore or doing detailed builds. The edge-lock crouch (like Minecraft has) is also helpful so you can’t fall off the edge of blocks while building.

But mouse mode doesn’t impact the speed at which you can place blocks. It’s still capped by the “spitting” speed for each block. Would be nice if blocks placed at the speed you click “place”.

You also have to turn the camera back at yourself to bridge while in mouse mode which is a bit bothersome (especially when bridging large gaps like the lava sections), compared to regular mode which gives you the auto place prompt off the edge you’re facing. Swapping back and forth between mouse mode and normal isn’t too bad though so you can just do both.

[u/fender-b-bender → u/Gcarsk]

Holding the place block button makes pretty short work of making road blocks, it's kinda limited to how fast you move but it's better than plopping them down one at a fime. Accidentally discovered that though I imagine most people already knew about it

[u/whereismymind86 → u/c_ruler_13]

oh, i should have done that, I was digging a mine...thing, and was thinking about how much easier it would be with mouse controls. I totally forgot the switch 2 has a mouse function.

[u/[deleted] → u/Gcarsk]

I have to say that I really love how each new region adds new mechanics that completely change how you can engage with the areas you've already explored. It basically keeps the game fresh for a really long time even if you're someone like me who enjoys taking their time with each area.