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Pokemon Uniteturned heads from the moment it dropped as The Pokemon Company finally introduced the beloved series to the world of MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas). Since its release, the roster of available Pokemon continues to expand regularly.
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The action is fluid and fast-paced, and the title still manages to utilize key elements of the series – likeequipping held items– that keeps it familiar. Pokemon roles are well-thought-out and fit nicely into the established structure of most MOBAs. As a constantly evolving game, there are often new maps, Pokemon, Holowear skins, customization options, and held items to keep up with and eventually master.
Review
We at TheGamer took a look at Pokemon Unite when it was released in 2021, originally granting it four out of five stars. Though this rating was a first impression of the game at that time,Cian Maher’s experience with the tumultuously balanced roster of Pokemon is remarkably similar to the game’s current state. He remarks, “… I’d wager it will be a major point of contention as Unite ages. There are sure to be balance changes but as it stands…Pokemon Unite only properly gets half of its hybrid Pokemon/MOBA structure.”
With that being said, that leaves 50 percent of the game thatisgetting it right in a landscape where Pokemon has only scratched the surface.
The concept of Pokemon - magical creatures with unique types, abilities, movepools, and stats - lends itself spectacularly well to a genre as refined as MOBA, while the contextual crossover of implementing ‘mons like Bouffalant and Ludicolo as Jungle buffers is excellent.
When you actually get into a game, it should feel like home, even if you’ve never played a MOBA before in your life. The Pokemon are remarkably well-animated, and the jungle area feels alive (until you defeat the occupants for their experience points and buffs).
As you defeat wild Pokemon and defend your goal zones, there will come a sweet moment when you spot an enemy player. Both of you will hesitate, adjust positions, and eventually lock eyes in an ‘are we doing this? We’re doing this.’ fashion that feels like coming across a trainer in one of the routes across the series.
Time Commitment
If you are new to the game and want to build a rhythm and learn at a decent pace,expect to spend about three to five hours a weekacclimating to the mechanics, playing matches, and seeing which Pokemon are currently the most viable.
Learning Unite’s basic mechanics and selecting your items willrequire a bit of trial and error as all new trainers need to adjustto the game’s tight timing and strategies. You can probably get a sense of where to go just by playing five to ten games with bots, which should takeone to two hours of learning. After you get a handle on the controls and basic concepts, you’ll have some pre-match building to do.
Level-ups and move selections in matches happen quickly, but most of your choices come when preparing your strategy beforehand. Held Items, Battle Items, andthe unique Boost Emblem systemwill take some reading to acclimate to and fully grasp. These choices are essential, soput in the 30 minutes or so to make your Boost Emblem builds and select your items of choice.
Whileten-minute standard and ranked PvPis the heart of Pokemon Unite, there are alsorotating 3v3 and 4v4 quick game modes that offer a more casual wayto get used to a particular Pokemon. If you want some PvE content, thenlook out for Boss Rush eventswhere you can team up with your friends and fight a series of legendary boss Pokemon in quick succession. These battles usuallytake about five to ten minutes each.
Witheach match capped at ten minutesand every game requiring you to adjust your strategy in reaction to opponents' team composition, Unite offers immense replayability within a simple structure.
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Value
Unite is a free-to-play gameon bothNintendo Switch and mobile phones that offers both free,earnable currency (Aeos Coins)andpaid currency (Aeos Gems). Aeos Coins can be earned for completing matches and achievements, while Aeos Gems can only be purchased with real money.
you’re able to use Aeos Coins or Aeos Gems to buy Unite Licenses (new Pokemon) – which will greatly affect your gameplay. While you can choose either currency for Unite Licenses, other cosmetic-only options, like Holowear skins, must be purchased with real money through Aeos Gems. Holowear skins prices range between 400 and 2,499 Aeos Gems each.
120 (60+60 bonus)
$0.99
490 (245+245 bonus)
$3.99
980 (490+490 bonus)
$7.99
2,440 (1,220+1,220 bonus)
$19.99
2,740 (2,450+290 bonus)
$39.99
3,500 (3,050+450 bonus)
$49.99
7,100 (6,000+1,100 bonus)
$99.99
For the first week of their release, new Pokemon Unite Licenses can only be purchased using real money andwill cost 575 Aeos Gems, or $5 to $8 USDdepending on which Aeos Gems pack(s) you buy.
If interested, you can also shell out$4 USDor490 Aeos Gems for the Premium Battle Pass.The cost will be closer to$12 USD or 1,300 Aeos Gems if you want the Premium Battle Pass Plus, which starts with 25 ranks already unlocked.
On the free-to-play side, Unite Licenses, which grant you access to a particular Pokemon, cost between 6,000 and 15,000 Aeos Coins, with the newest releases typically leaning toward the 12,000 to 15,000 range. You can earn up to 2,100 free coins every week from your matches, but there are large chunks of coins you can acquire by completing certain achievements. These achievement earnings are much-needed boosts to your total and do not count toward the weekly limit.
What Players Are Saying
A Great Introduction To The MOBA Genre – Christian Pellegrino
Pokemon Unite is a relatively simple MOBA that is easy to pick up and learn. There are several Pokemon available to play, with others constantly being added to the game’s roster. Although this game and a handful of Pokemon come free of charge, you will have to pay if you want to participate in each season’s Battle Pass or the latest character releases.
A Long Overdue Pokemon Spinoff – David Duffy
If there’s one type of game that Pokemon has been crying out for, it’s a MOBA. Pokemon Unite brings accessibility to the genre, removing all the complexities of the likes of Dota 2 and League of Legends, and makes for a fun, digestible game that doesn’t eat up too much time per match. The experience could be better for newer players, who are often outclassed by those who have fully boosted items. However, the learning curve isn’t that steep, and as more Pokemon are added, the enjoyment factor and variety in matches will only increase.
A Fun Time With Friends – Andrew Scariati
Unite is worth the download for the multiplayer cooperative Pokemon experience alone. Rarely can five or more friends who enjoy Pokemon play together, but Unite makes this simple, allowing both Switch and mobile phone owners to team up for some exciting and quick matches. The basics are simple to learn, even for non-gamers, and the custom matches allow up to ten people to have some entertaining training sessions if you want to practice your teamwork for ranked.
