Initial trailers for Pokémon Pokopia prompted low expectations among parts of the fanbase, but a 90‑minute hands‑on session at Nintendo of Europe’s Frankfurt offices produced an unexpected shift in tone. Under the stewardship of Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force, the project blends the studio’s signature large‑scale action sensibilities with Pokémon’s roster and capture mechanics, and the result is far more compelling in motion than in teaser footage.

Pokopia feels fundamentally designed around momentum. Encounters unfold as bite‑sized, mission‑based skirmishes rather than traditional grinding or turn‑based sequences. Combat is kinetic and immediate, with Pokémon acting as both partners and tools in the flow of battle. Quick bursts of frantic action are punctuated by moments of tactical adjustment, and the transition between roaming areas and objective‑driven fights is generally smooth.

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Multiplayer proved a highlight during the session. Co‑operative play scales encounters naturally, inviting team synergy and role specialisation without overcomplicating the core loop. Drop‑in, drop‑out functionality made sessions feel accessible, and the way Omega Force scales enemy numbers and encounter variety in co‑op preserved the sense of spectacle that the studio is known for.

Visuals and level design sit comfortably between accessibility and polish. Environments are colourful and readable, with clear landmarks and enemy groupings that keep the action legible even in the thick of a skirmish. Animations, particularly for the larger set‑piece moments, retain the punch expected of Omega Force, although certain camera angles occasionally struggled to keep pace with the chaos on screen.

Caveats remain. The build on show raised questions about long‑term progression and repetition: encounters can feel similar once patterns are learned, and the depth of post‑game systems was not fully evident in a short session. Interface elements and some menu systems also feel workmanlike and may require refinement before launch.

Overall, Pokémon Pokopia presents as a confident experiment that stands to attract both fans of action‑heavy Warriors titles and players seeking a more immediate Pokémon experience. The early signs are that the game will be notably more engrossing than its trailers suggested, with co‑op and bite‑sized encounters doing much of the heavy lifting. Further time with a more complete build will be required to judge longevity and systems depth, but the initial hands‑on impression is decisively positive.