Pokémon Unite review

Our Verdict

Pokémon Unite is a fun entry bespeak for those new to the MOBA genre thanks to its short games, only longtime League of Legends or DotA fans will exist left unsatisfied.

For

Intuitive and simple controls
Fun premise
Avoids the common MOBA issue of time delivery

Against

Movement can experience clunky
Hampered by microtransactions
UI is not the cleanest

Tom's Guide Verdict

Pokémon Unite is a fun entry point for those new to the MOBA genre cheers to its short games, but longtime League of Legends or DotA fans volition be left unsatisfied.

Pros

+
Intuitive and simple controls
+
Fun premise
+
Avoids the common MOBA effect of fourth dimension commitment

Cons

-
Move tin can experience clunky
-
Hampered by microtransactions
-
UI is not the cleanest

The initial reaction to the announcement of Pokémon Unite in 2020 was 1 of general excitement — particularly amongst the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Boxing Arena) customs. MOBAs are strategy games in which 2 teams compete on a board to destroy opposing bases. This was the first Pokémon game of its kind, one that would driblet the RPG-roots of the mainline series for real-time attacks in a capture-the-flag-manner contest. Information technology would let Switch and mobile users to compete alongside each other in a five-vs-5 format, using some of the series' well-nigh iconic characters. And it would be free-to-play.

However, that apprehension was quickly tempered by the game's initial growing pains. In a survey released by the game's developers, players were quick to phonation their concerns nigh the seemingly 'pay-to-win' structure of Pokémon Unite. Where free-to-play games like League of Legends and Fortnite take no existent advantages to be gained past microtransactions every bit add-ons are cosmetic, the prevalence of legal tender as a means to victory can harm the competitive efficacy of the game.

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I entered this game from the viewpoint of a diehard MOBA fan who had never played more than ten hours of a Pokémon game. Equally a League of Legends player, my perspective is colored by my hours of grinding away on Summoner'south Rift, with very picayune nostalgic attachment to Pikachu and pals.

1 of the cardinal issues I've always had with MOBAs is the time delivery required. An average League game tin be upwards to forty minutes long, which is a large ask for many. Pokémon Unite is seemingly the solution to the grind faced by the MOBA format — games that finish, regardless of game state, at ten minutes.

Gameplay-wise, Pokémon Unite has been a pleasant surprise. What initially felt tiresome, clunky and somewhat unfinished became more and more than enjoyable with each game. It'south fun, if a little forgettable, and the perfect ten-infinitesimal MOBA striking during a dejeuner break. As a casual role player, the controversy surrounding pay-to-win and microtransactions has not afflicted me to any great degree, but it'due south undeniable that the game's item levelling systems will demand some overhauls if its ranked way remains

Pokémon Unite review: Gameplay

Unite handles very much similar a traditional MOBA. Games have place in a 5-versus-five arena, and points are scored by catching wild Pokémon across the map. When a wild Pokémon is captured, you earn points of Aeos energy for your team, which can then be used to score 'goals' in i of the scoring zones on the opposing side of the map. You lot tin can also enter into gainsay with opponents, and defeating an enemy player will cause them to drib points that you tin can and then utilise to score.

The map consists of two 'paths,' reminiscent of the lane structure in games like League. The scoring zones are located on these 'paths,' and the heart of the map is populated by a wild surface area containing AI Pokémon that can be captured to earn Aeos.

Standing in ane of your team's scoring zone heals your Pokémon, and scoring 100 points in an enemy zone destroys information technology, meaning information technology no longer heals them. Upon loading into a game of Pokémon Unite, it's instantly recognisable as a condensed version of the MOBA format, with limited time and infinite to permit its ten-minute win condition to still feel rewarding.

its developers have successfully condensed the MOBA format without losing the core battle-arena feel

The game currently has twenty playable Pokémon, with more than confirmed to be coming to the game equally early as July 28. Unite eschews the previous Pokémon format of elemental types, instead using a battle type system in which Pokémon are categorised by playstyle rather than damage type. There are five battle types in Pokémon Unite: Attackers, Speedsters, Defenders, Supporters and All-Rounders.

As with many other MOBAs, each class has its own unique traits that brand information technology suited for its function, and there's plenty variety between each Pokémon to continue things interesting without also much variation in gameplay. While Unite's gameplay isn't groundbreaking, its developers have successfully condensed the MOBA format without losing the cadre battle-arena feel of the genre.

Pokémon Unite review: Controls

Currently only available for Nintendo Switch, with plans to come to mobile in September 2021, Unite's controls were one of my principal initial gripes with the game upon playing the tutorial. For those who are coming to Unite from traditional MOBAs, specifically League, information technology's definitely a learning curve, only not an insurmountable ane. The lack of precision control that comes from no mouse and keyboard is circumvented by the fact that a lot of abilities in the game are area of upshot (AoE), meaning the need for pixel-perfect aim is lost.

With but a few games played, I've also had trouble with how dull this game feels. Even on the game'south 'Speedster' grade, the controls and movement of the game feel glacially clunky. Navigating the map feels cumbersome, fifty-fifty with the occasional speed boosts the game provides y'all with when leaving base.

Pokémon Unite art and screenshots — (Epitome credit: The Pokémon Company)

For those used to Pokémon gameplay, this shouldn't show too jarring, merely it's something to note if you're coming to Unite from a MOBA background. I had a few issues with jumpy FPS and minor lag, but nothing insurmountable. The game'southward graphics were surprisingly shine, and queuing up for a friction match was easy.

Pokémon Unite review: Verdict

The pay-to-win controversy is something that TiMi, the game's programmer, will need to address. Already YouTubers have demonstrated that spending lots of money tin can completely obliterate opposing teams. The item enhancement system allows people to pay for stat bonuses that would otherwise take hours and hours of game time to achieve, which has a meaning effect on the game'south ranked mode.

Controversy bated, though, Pokémon Unite is the perfect introduction to the MOBA genre for younger players and Pokémon fans. MOBAs are oftentimes perceived as challenging to break into, and non without reason. Just Unite takes all of the complicated concepts of the genre and breaks them down into an easy-to-digest ten infinitesimal packet.

However, there is easy potential for Unite to exist a game that burns bright and chop-chop dies if its developers practise non proceed to add together variety, whether in the form of new maps or new playable Pokémon. The brusque games and small map mean that some of the 'every game is unlike' fun of the MOBA genre is lost here. I personally constitute myself getting bored later a few games. Even with the colorful characters and digestible short bursts of play, I incertitude I'll be grinding my way to Rank ane on the Unite leaderboards any fourth dimension before long.

1000000 is a freelance writer covering all things gaming and pop civilization, with a focus on the world of esports and competitive gaming. Hailing from the UK, she tin can about commonly exist plant yelling at her Switch after failing even so some other Hades run.