Pokémon Rework Looks Oddly Great For An Unlicensed Mobile Game
I don't know about you, but I used to wake up every morning hoping that some company in China would eventually make the Pokémon MMO that we all wanted—the Pokémon MMO that we all deserved. I would get up, make a serving of Magikarp stew, and leave it out on the doorstep as an offering to Arceus in hopes that it could make it happen. Perhaps it was the fact that I hadn't used something more delicious and well liked, like Taurus meat, that had prevented it from happening until now.
But now—now, I tell you—we have the Pokémon MMO we've always wanted. MMOCulture recently discovered a new unlicensed mobile MMO called Pokémon Rework. The game is somewhat of a halfway point between the traditional handheld Pokémon titles and Chinese browser and mobile MMOs like League of Angels or Naruto Online. You start the game by choosing one of the three original starters—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—and set off on an adventure, taking part in turn-based Pokémon battles, collecting the game's 251 available Pokémon by capturing them, training your team of Pokémon, and eventually taking on the game's 62 gyms. It is said that Pokémon can also be obtained from a gacha and that those that spend the most are guaranteed a Mewtwo, a promotion that is similar to those seen in other games of this type.
2p filled in a few extra details, stating that players will not only need to chip away at a Pokémon's health in order to capture it, but also use a set number of Poké Balls. The example given is that a common Pokémon is generally caught with an average of three Poké Balls, but a legendary Pokémon might take upwards of ten.
Pokémon that are caught are then leveled by completing "quests and challenges." As they level, they learn new skills and attribute points. After a Pokémon reaches a certain level, it can be evolved using items called "gems."
Those interested can download the game here. Fair warning that it is only available in Chinese at this time. Despite that, it seems that the game is doing well for itself with MMOCulture reporting that more than 60 of the game's servers are regularly full to brim with players
Matt's Take:
Pokémon Rework looks quite charming, which is likely due to the fact that it resembles Pokémon X and Y so much. Unlike other games of its kind, it seems to actually be somewhat of a halfway point between genres and it doesn't seem to be as focused on auto-battling as it could have been. It has the "pay-to-win Chinese browser game" feel, but it also doesn't eschew its Pokémon roots. Contrary to popular opinion, it's more than possible to enjoy games like this if you ignore the pay-to-win aspects entirely, but they will undoubtedly put a damper on the experience. Regardless, it's something I will likely end up trying out in the near future if for no other reason than it's a new Pokémon title, licensed or not.
What's truly unforgivable is how many people chose Charmander. Where are all the Bulbasaurs at?
