There’s probably a reason the Pokémon Friends game shadow dropped after a quick announcement. It was never meant to be a big system-seller but rather just a quick way to pass the time, especially for kids that happened to be fans. And looking through that lens it might just about hit the mark – but barely. And unfortunately, for everyone else, this is not a game that’s stick in the memory or the library for very long.

Pokémon Friends is basically a Lite Brain Training game aimed at younger players, with a few tag-ons popular for mobile games. What this basically means is that everyday you’re tasked with solving a series of 3 simple puzzle games all-themed around your favourite Pocket Master critters. This could be anything from their take on basic sliding block puzzles to mazes and the like. You start on Level 1 and theoretically the puzzles are supposed to get harder, but even later Levels are almost always instantly solvable. Hence, I think they are aimed at younger players.

Basically a Lite Brain Training game aimed at younger players with cute plushie rewards (behind a paywall)

After solving a series of puzzles, you are awarded with a ball of yarn, corresponding to a Pokémon type and throw it in a big Pokéball shaped sewing machine which churns out and admittedly cute ‘plushie-style’ version mon. Every time you do – you’ll then get a Pokédex type entry which you can enjoy. This is the basic formula which you repeat (as many times as you like on the Switch versions or for a limited number of turns on the ‘free’ mobile version – basically a pitiful demo).

On top of that, you can then place these creatures in a room which you can lightly decorate with a few additional options like couches and tables and so on. As you progress, you’ll also be able to step into town (mostly a 2D map of a town) where you’ll meet folks (still images of familiar Pokémon-anime drawn characters) who will be looking for specific plushies, and you can gift your creations to them. This will open up more of the map and occasionally even get you an item to decorate your pad with.

Grindy, random townsfolk requests add nothing to the gameplay loop

Unfortunately, while that seems like a recognisable and possibly enjoyable loop, it sounds more fun than it is practice. Unfortunately, request often ask for a specific size of plushie or type and as far as I can tell you have no control over what the machine pops out – so you simply keep repeating the same sort of easy puzzles again and again. It landed up being a bit of a boring slog even to fulfil simple requests early on. And other than passing the time while I waited in a line or between work tasks it never grabbed my attention for long enough to even begin to hook me. Even when I got a specific stamp that rewarded me for returning each day.

Now, I suspect if the puzzles were a little harder and the townsfolk’s requestswere something something you could actually plan for (by solving specific types of puzzles) – this might hold quite a lot of appeal (in the same way that Candy Crush and simple Search Puzzle games are on mobile). However, as it stands, it’s definitely aimed and a younger audience – and even then, I’m not sure it would hold their attention for too long. I’m glad the Switch versions at least allow you to play any time you want, unlike the mobile version that has some sort of time and then a quick pay gate, which is the main reason I so disillusioned with that model (although most mobile games are a lot worse in this regard). Unfortunately, the Switch 2 version doesn’t have mouse controls (which would be perfect for some of the puzzles) and the control scheme in general is so obviously touch-screen designed, that using the buttons on the controller often felt worse and less precise somehow.

Even cute Mons can’t keep you coming abck for the overly simple puzzles

All in all, making a plushie and seeing a new Mon for the first time does give you a tiny dopamine hit (and that’s clearly what it’s aiming for) and that’s admittedly fun. Sadly, however, the overly simple tasks, and mindless grinding-focussed request system did nothing to keep me engaged and this therefore is a game that misses the mark for me and even for its target audience (younger players) with DLC available that asks you to sink more money in than the gameplay deserves.

REVIEW CODE PROVIDED BY: NINTENDO

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