After spending around ten hours with Pokopia, I feel like I've only just started to scratch the surface.

So far, most of my time has been spent exploring, figuring out how everything works, meeting Pokémon, and slowly getting a feel of the game. It has been more of an orientation period than a proper deep dive, but even at this early stage, I can already see why Pokopia has been compared to games like Animal Crossing.

That said, I don't think it's quite right to call it “Pokémon Animal Crossing.” Although there are similarities, especially when it comes to building, gathering, decorating, and living alongside cute characters, Pokopia has its own direction and a more active sense of progression.

Getting Started in Pokopia

The beginning of Pokopia is fairly gentle. After waking up as a Ditto and meeting Professor Tangrowth, you're introduced to the basics and gradually learn how to interact with the world.

The early sections are more about getting oriented than throwing you straight into a big adventure. You learn how the controls work, start meeting Pokémon, collect materials, and get introduced to the different things you can do with your surroundings.

This is a little slow paced and there isn't an obvious “I need to get this done right now” feeling. Pokopia gives you room to move at your own pace, and while that sounds relaxing, it can also make the opening hours feel like you're waiting for the game to properly get going.

Pokopia doesn't seem particularly interested in rushing you from one objective to another. Instead, it gradually gives you more things to do and lets you decide how much time you want to spend exploring, gathering, building, or simply looking around. There are along storylines and tasks which you trigger along the way to progress.

My Experience So Far

The first few hours have felt more like getting myself oriented than going on a big adventure. I wasn't immediately hooked by the opening, but once I stopped expecting the game to constantly point me towards the next big objective, I became more comfortable with its slower pace.

Getting Used to the Controls

The biggest adjustment for me has been remembering which buttons do what while moving around and interacting with the environment. There are several actions that become second nature eventually, but in the beginning I found myself occasionally pressing the wrong button.

The Pokémon move controls are particularly easy to mix up when you're still learning them. The X button is used to access Ditto's Pokémon moves, while Y is used for picking up or sucking up objects. Then there's A, which can be used for actions such as headbutting trees to collect fruit.

None of these controls are particularly complicated on their own. It's more that there are quite a few interactions to remember, and my own butter fingers don't always cooperate.

There also the issue of navigation: getting around the world isn't difficult, but I sometimes find myself adjusting the camera or trying to get the right angle when moving around an area. The camera can occasionally feel a little distracting, particularly when I'm trying to line up with something or place an object exactly where I want it. This is probably one of those things that will become more natural with more playtime.

A Small Learning Curve

The controls are simple enough, but knowing what each button does and getting used to the camera has taken me some time. It's not a major barrier, but it is something I've noticed during my first few hours.

Exploring and Meeting Pokémon

One of the most enjoyable parts so far has been simply seeing which Pokémon I come across.

So far, I've already found around 30 Pokémon, including Charmander, Squirtle, and Hoothoot, etc. Discovering Pokémon while exploring still gives me that little moment of excitement.

Some of the Pokémon I've encountered so far include:

Charmander
Squirtle
Hoothoot
Oddish
Bulbasaur
And many more, bringing my current total to around 30 Pokémon

This is where Pokopia feels very recognisable as a Pokémon game, even though the overall gameplay is so different from the traditional formula.

Instead of simply thinking about which Pokémon I want on my battle team, I'm interested in seeing which Pokémon will become part of the world I'm building and what they can contribute.

Their moves can be useful for interacting with the environment, travelling, and changing the world around you. Nintendo describes learning moves from Pokémon as one of the ways Ditto can change the land, travel, and interact with the environment, and I can't wait to gain more about them.

The Slow Start Isn't Necessarily a Bad Thing

The first few hours did leave me wondering when the game would properly open up.

After meeting Professor Tangrowth and getting through the initial basics, there isn't always a strong sense of urgency. Pokopia gives you the freedom to explore and work at your own pace, which is very much part of its design.

I usually like having a clear goal to work towards, so the slower beginning took some adjustment. There are moments where it feels like you're doing a lot of small tasks without a big objective immediately in front of you.

But once I stopped expecting the game to constantly tell me what I should be doing, I became more comfortable with it.

There is a certain satisfaction in gradually collecting materials, meeting Pokémon, learning new moves, and seeing more possibilities open up. It's less about one huge objective and more about slowly building up what you can do.

My Take So Far

The slower start isn't necessarily a bad thing. I just needed some time to adjust to the idea that I don't always need a big objective waiting for me. Once I got into the rhythm of exploring and working through smaller tasks, the pace started to feel more comfortable.

Is Pokopia Like Animal Crossing?

Even after only around ten hours, there are some similarities that are hard to miss. Both games let you gather materials, craft items, decorate your surroundings, interact with animal characters, and gradually create a place that feels like your own.

There is also a similar relaxed feeling. Neither game constantly pushes you from one major objective to another, and both give you room to decide what you want to spend your time doing.

But after actually playing Pokopia, I don't think it's quite right to describe it as “Animal Crossing with Pokémon.”

There are similarities, but Pokopia has its own direction, and the more I play, the more noticeable the differences become.

Where the Two Games Feel Similar

The similarities are probably most obvious in the everyday activities. Both games encourage you to gather materials and use them to create things. Building and decorating are also important, and both let you spend time developing a community around you.

There's also the simple pleasure of discovering something new while wandering around. In Animal Crossing, that might mean finding a new fish, bug, fossil, furniture item, or another island resident. In Pokopia, I'm currently getting that same little feeling when I come across another Pokémon or discover something new that I can use.

The games also share a relaxed approach to progression. You're not necessarily expected to finish everything in one sitting, and there are plenty of smaller activities you can work on whenever you feel like it.

The Similarities I Notice Most

Gathering materials and resources
Crafting items and furniture
Building and decorating your surroundings
Creating a community with animal characters
Exploring at your own pace
Collecting things as you discover them
Having the freedom to decide what to work on next

Where Pokopia Feels Different

While Animal Crossing is heavily centred around island life, collecting, decorating, and spending time with your villagers, Pokopia has a stronger focus on restoring the world and actively changing the environment.

Pokémon themselves are also much more closely tied to the gameplay. They can teach Ditto moves that have practical uses, interact with the environment and reach places or perform tasks in different ways.

For example, using Leafage to make grass grow, Rock Smash to break walls, Surf to travel across water, and Glide to move between mountains etc.

Why I'm Not Calling It “Pokémon Animal Crossing”

The comparison is useful for explaining the general feeling of the game, but it doesn't really describe what Pokopia is. Animal Crossing helps explain the relaxed, creative side, but Pokopia adds exploration, restoration, Pokémon moves, and a more active progression system on top of that.

A Different Kind of Progression

One thing I'm starting to appreciate is how the different activities connect together.

Exploring helps me find Pokémon and materials. Pokémon can teach me moves. Those moves can help me interact with the environment. Materials can be turned into items and furniture. And all of that feeds back into restoring and developing the world.

I'm still early enough in the game that I haven't experienced everything the game has to offer, but I can already see how the different pieces are supposed to work together.

At the moment, I'm still very much in the “learn, explore, collect, repeat” stage. But there is something satisfying about realising that something I couldn't do earlier is suddenly possible because I've met the right Pokémon or unlocked another part of the game.

Building is Exciting... Even If I'm Not There Yet

One of the things I'm most excited about with Pokopia is the idea of reshaping my own space.

I can already imagine what I want to do with it, but I'm not quite at the stage where I have all the tools and abilities I need to bring those ideas to life.

That has been one of the slightly frustrating things about the early game. I can see the possibilities, but I also know that I haven't unlocked everything yet.

For now, I'm still learning how the building and crafting systems work, collecting materials, and making smaller changes to the environment.

What I'm Looking Forward To

I'm particularly excited to get to the point where I can properly redesign my space instead of just working with what I currently have available. I already have ideas in my head, but I'm definitely not at the “dream town” stage yet.

That is actually one of the things keeping me interested. I know there is more to unlock, and I'm curious to see how much more freedom the game eventually gives me.

Some Things Feel a Little Clumsy

While I'm enjoying Pokopia so far, not everything feels completely smooth.

Moving around is generally straightforward, but there are moments when positioning myself or placing something can feel a little cumbersome. The camera angle can also get in the way occasionally, especially when I'm trying to line up with something in the environment.

I've also noticed that some of the basic activities can become repetitive. Gathering materials, moving things around, and arranging an area are all part of the normal gameplay loop, but doing the same actions repeatedly can sometimes feel a little tedious.

Another small frustration for me has been figuring out the recipes for creating things, especially during the early stages of the game. There are quite a few things to learn, and when you're still getting familiar with how everything works, remembering what materials are needed for each item can take some getting used to.

The shop can also feel a little limiting at this point. The fact that I can only buy one of an item when something I need is available means I sometimes have to wait or find another way to get what I'm looking for. It's not a huge problem, but when I'm trying to get something specific, it can be a little frustrating.

Still Getting Used to It

These aren't major problems for me at the moment. I'm still learning the controls, figuring out the recipes, and getting a better understanding of how the different systems work. I suspect some of these small frustrations may become easier once I have more experience with the game.

A Nice Little Touch: Photo Opportunities

One small feature I've really appreciated is the way Pokopia lets you know when there's a photo opportunity.

There's a prompt when a moment is worth capturing, which I think is a nice touch. It means I don't have to constantly wonder whether I'm missing a screenshot opportunity while exploring.

It also makes sense for a game that puts so much emphasis on creating your own world and spending time with Pokémon.

I've only taken a few photos so far, but I can already see myself using this feature more as I build up my surroundings and meet more Pokémon.

Where I Am Now: Trying to Free Onix

At the moment, I've reached the point where I'm working towards creating rain to free Onix.

This has been one of the first moments where I feel like the different systems I've been learning are starting to come together.

The Onix section is part of the Withered Wastelands progression, with rain needed to soften the material blocking the way. From there, the game continues to introduce more of the systems involved in restoring the area and helping Pokémon.

I'm still working through it myself, so I don't want to go too far into the details here. For a first-impressions post, I think it's more interesting to share where I've reached rather than turn this section into a walkthrough.

Where I'm At Right Now

I'm currently at the stage of trying to create rain so I can free Onix. It feels like a nice point in the early game to stop and take stock of what I've experienced so far.

Ten Hours In: My First Thoughts

After around eight hours, I definitely haven't seen enough of Pokopia to make any kind of final judgement.

I've mostly been exploring, getting used to the controls, meeting Pokémon, collecting materials, and figuring out what the game expects me to do.

There have been moments where I've felt a little bored, particularly during the slower beginning when there wasn't an obvious goal pulling me forward.

But once I got into the rhythm of exploring and working through the different tasks, I found myself enjoying it more. The game gives me room to explore, experiment, and gradually work towards the kind of world I want to create.

The controls and camera aren't perfect for me yet, and some of the interactions can feel a little clumsy or repetitive. But those things haven't stopped me from wanting to keep playing.

I'm especially curious about what I'll be able to build once I have more of the tools and abilities available.

My Take After Ten Hours

For now, I feel like I've only scratched the surface. Pokopia hasn't completely won me over from the very beginning, but the more I settle into its slower pace, the more I'm enjoying it.

I'm still figuring out the controls, still learning how everything works, and still waiting to see what I can eventually do with my own space. But for now, I'm enjoying the adventure.

And I think that's the most accurate way I can describe my first ten hours with Pokopia: I'm still figuring it out, but I'm enjoying the adventure so far.

This isn't a review yet. It's simply where I am with the game right now, and I'm curious to see how these first impressions change as I spend more time exploring, building, and reshaping the world around me.

Final Thoughts

Ten hours isn't enough for me to make a final call on Pokopia, but it has been enough to give me a feel for what kind of game it is.

It has a slow start, a learning curve with the controls, and some moments where moving or building can feel a little clumsy. But underneath that, there's a relaxing exploration and building experience that I'm starting to settle into.

I'm still interested in seeing how much more the world opens up, what other Pokémon I'll meet, and how much freedom I'll eventually have to reshape my surroundings.

For now, Pokopia has given me enough to keep playing, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the adventure takes me next.

What has your experience been so far? Do share in the comment below!