Overview
Pokémon UNITE is a free-to-play MOBA developed by TiMi Studio Group and published by The Pokémon Company, released in 2021. I played it on Nintendo Switch.
I only played it very briefly at launch, so I don't know what it's like today.
It's a cool game, nothing groundbreaking, but it does the job for unwinding with friends.
Story and world
The game doesn't really have a story: it takes place on Aeos Island, where trainers face off with their Pokémon in team matches.
Gameplay
Matches pit two teams of five players against each other. The goal isn't to destroy a base like in a classic MOBA: you collect Aeos energy by defeating wild Pokémon or opponents, then deposit it in the enemy team's goal zones to score points.
During the match, each Pokémon levels up, unlocks new moves and can evolve. A standard match lasts around ten minutes.
I just hope it won't become too "pay-to-win", since the free-to-play model relies on in-game purchases.
Graphics and music
The game goes for a colourful, readable style, true to the Pokémon world.
Verdict
A nice MOBA, nothing groundbreaking, but it does the job for unwinding with friends. It remains to be seen whether it will avoid becoming too "pay-to-win".