Pokémon Unite

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Pokémon Unite
Pokemon Unite logo.png
Developer(s)TiMi Studio Group
Publisher(s)Nintendo Switch: Nintendo
Android, iOS: The Pokémon Company
Producer(s)Masaaki Hoshino
SeriesPokémon
EngineUnity 2019.4.4f1
Platform(s)Android
iOS
Nintendo Switch
Release
  • Nintendo Switch
  • 21 July 2021[1]
  • Android, iOS
  • 22 September 2021[2]
Genre(s)Multiplayer online battle arena, real-time strategy

Pokémon Unite (stylized as Pokémon UNITE) is a free-to-play, multiplayer online battle arena video game developed by TiMi Studio Group and published by The Pokémon Company for Android and iOS and by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch.[3][4] It was announced in a Pokémon Presents presentation on 24 June 2020.[4] The game was released for the Nintendo Switch on 21 July 2021; it is scheduled to be released for Android and iOS on 22 September 2021. As of March 2021, TiMi plans to include cross-platform play between the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices.[5]

Gameplay[]

Pokémon Unite is a multiplayer online battle arena game with matches consisting of two teams of five players. The game map is split into two halves, with multiple control points each. Players score points for their team by defeating non-player character "wild" Pokémon (referred to as catching in the game) and moving towards one of the control points. However, if the player gets hit by an attack while scoring, they will be interrupted, and must try again. At certain times in each match, stronger wild Pokémon will appear. Defeating one of these will provide the player which defeated it a unique effect based on which Pokémon was defeated.[6] Each match is time-limited, and the team with the highest total score by the end of each match wins.[7] A team can also win if the opposing team surrenders.

Each player starts a match controlling relatively weak Pokémon. The Pokémon may become stronger and gain access to new combat skills by winning individual battles within the match.[8] The "type" system common in previous Pokémon games, a system similar to rock paper scissors that determines each Pokémon's effectiveness against others, is absent from Pokémon Unite. However, the game includes a new mechanic to the series known as "Unite moves", which are combat skills unique to each Pokémon.[9] As of April 2021, over 20 playable Pokémon have been officially revealed or found in the beta testing versions of the game.[10]

Development[]

TiMi, a Chinese video game developer, began a closed beta test in January 2021. This test was limited to select players in China.[11]

In February 2021, The Pokémon Company announced another closed beta test would be scheduled for March 2021, this time specifically for Canadian Android smartphone users.[12][13]

The Nintendo Switch version of the game was officially released on 21 July 2021. As of August 2021, the mobile versions for iOS and Android are scheduled for 22 September 2021.[14] TiMi plans to continue development of the game after its official release, such as offering new playable Pokémon as downloadable content, the first of which became available for players on 28 July 2021.[15]

Reception[]

Pre-release[]

The reveal of Pokémon Unite received mixed opinions, with outlets discussing the game's potential to open a new competitive gaming scene to a fresh audience.[3] The YouTube video of the announcement[19] quickly became the most disliked video on The Pokémon Company's YouTube channel.[20] The discontent from fans was attributed to the involvement of Chinese mobile gaming giant Tencent and the free-to-play model. Additionally, The Pokémon Company's previous Pokémon Presents presentation announced a "big project" would be revealed soon; this led many fans to expect a new entry in the main Pokémon series of role-playing video games in the main Pokémon series.[21][22]

Post-release[]

Pokémon Unite received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[16] IGN gave the game a 6/10, criticizing some microtransactions as enabling pay-to-win gameplay.[17] In response to discussions about the game on social media amongst fans, The Pokémon Company—through the official Pokémon Unite Twitter account—promoted a survey for feedback from fans to improve the game.[23]

References[]

  1. ^ Craddock, Ryan (15 July 2021). "Pokémon Unite Launches On Switch Next Week, Free Zeraora Bonus Revealed". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Pokémon Unite launches for mobile on September 22". VentureBeat. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Sam, Desatoff (2 July 2020). "Pokémon Unite leverages TiMi Studio's pedigree in the MOBA genre". GameDaily.biz. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Webster, Andrew (24 June 2020). "Pokémon Unite is a League of Legends-style team-based strategy game". The Verge. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Even though Pokemon Unite has Switch-to-mobile cross-play, Nintendo boss says not to expect it". Destructoid. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  6. ^ Nintendo. Pokémon UNITE. Level/area: tutorial.
  7. ^ "Pokemon UNITE | What Is A MOBA & How To Play | Pokemon MOBA - GameWith". GameWith(ゲームウィズ). 20 September 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Pokemon UNITE | How To Get & Score Points | Pokemon MOBA - GameWith". GameWith(ゲームウィズ). 20 September 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Pokemon UNITE | Unite Moves - Effect & How To Use | Pokemon MOBA - GameWith". GameWith(ゲームウィズ). 20 September 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  10. ^ Michael, Cale (7 March 2021). "All playable Pokémon in Pokémon Unite". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  11. ^ "New Pokemon Unite Gameplay Footage Leaks". Comicbook. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  12. ^ Team, M. G. H. (16 February 2021). "Pokémon Unite Beta Version To Release In March 2021". Mobile Gaming Hub. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  13. ^ Anne, Melissa (18 February 2021). "Pokémon Unite beta test coming soon; gameplay similar to League of Legends - MEGPlay". MEGPlay. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Pokemon Unite launches in July for Switch, September for iOS and Android". Gematsu. 17 June 2021.
  15. ^ Craddock, Ryan (28 July 2021). "Pokémon Unite Update Adds Gardevoir, Charizard Gets Nerfed". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b "Pokemon UNITE". Metacritic. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b Stewart, Sam (30 July 2021). "Pokemon Unite Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  18. ^ Jubbal, Veerender (31 July 2021). "Pokémon Unite Review". nintendolife.com. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  19. ^ "New Official Trailer For Pokémon Unite – NintendoHill". nintendohill.com. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  20. ^ Oloman, Jordan (25 June 2020). "Pokemon Unite Reveal Becomes The Pokemon Company's Most Disliked Video On YouTube". IGN. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  21. ^ Dalton, Cooper (24 June 2020). "Pokemon Fans Are Not Happy About Pokemon Unite Announcement". gamerant.com. Game Rant. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  22. ^ Kirk, Galitski (24 June 2021). "Fans Are Already Skeptical About Pokémon Unite". thegamer.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  23. ^ Yaden, Joseph. "'Pokémon Unite' survey exposes the game's worst flaws". Inverse. Retrieved 31 July 2021.

External links[]

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