The Pokémon Company has quietly rolled out a new mobile Pokémon game for iOS and Android, called Pokémon Duel, in which different Pokémon — in amiibo form, it looks like — duke it out using the game's conventional turn-based mechanics.
Pokémon Duel
While it may come as a surprise treat, the game was actually released in Japan last year under a different moniker, Pokémon Comaster. The Pokémon Company didn't explain the name change in light of a stateside release, but really, no one's complaining.
How The Game Works
The game, which is available now, slightly subverts the traditional Pokémon format, but in a very effective way. In each match, each player will have a duel set containing six Pokémon counters. As previously mentioned, the game still borrows Pokémon's staple turn-based system, but like many other tactic games, action takes place on a mapped grid. Players will take turns placing these Pokémon counters, as informed by their own strategic machinations, on different places across the grid to reach enemy territory piecemeal.
Of course, like any great tactical turn-based strategy titles, how far a certain Pokémon on the grid advances depends on the Pokémon. In each turn, only one creature can be moved, which sort of resembles the mechanics of chess, largely dictated by the grid and the alternating tactics.
The objective in Pokémon Duel is to invade and capture the opponent's base with a single Pokémon. At certain times the turn-based mechanic takes a backseat to pave the way for duels. When a Pokémon battles another, they enter a duel, and this duel is sort of a game-of-chance affair, employing a sort of minigame where a moveset-filled wheel is spun. Whatever attack a player lands on will be used to attack, or cause damage to the opponent.
Online Duels
Anyhow, the game introduces its premise with a handy tutorial, so that should be ample training ground to get started. Those who are well-versed enough, or those who already understand the game's mechanics to the core can proceed to League Play, an online battle mode where different players try to duke it out. But if that doesn't sound appealing, there's always computer opponents to hone your duel skills with.
Free-To-Play With In-App Purchases
The Pokémon counters level up as players progress. It also nets in-game currency that can be exchanged for new Pokémon. The app is free-to-play, but of course, this model employs microtransactions if players want to jaunt that route. For instance, players can purchase "Plates" or "Boosters" to boost a Pokémon's power, and so forth. However, Pokémon Duel is still satisfying even without these microtransactions, although like Super Mario Run, it can only be played with an internet connection.
As a visual treat,Pokémon counters may be viewed by virtue of an in-game digital collection, because as usual, Pokémon die-hards will still see this as another opportunity to "catch 'em all," as the game's famous line goes.
This new iteration of Pokémon is the second mobile Pokémon entry in recent months, after Pokémon GO. That game ended 2016 having scored very high week-by-week revenue figures — the highest since its frenzied launch, in fact. It's only logical for the company to cash in on the game's popularity, long as it's fecund with fanfare as of this time.
Those who are still caught up with the game's allure would be pleased to know that Amazon has recently restocked Pokémon GO Plus bracelets, so if you weren't able to net one the first time, now's your chance.
