Pandoland is the newest title from the creators of Pokémon, and it launches today. Game Freak has been developing games since 1989, and though Pokémon is its biggest franchise, the development studio has worked on other projects throughout its years in the industry. Its latest game, Pandoland, is a new non-Pokémon casual exploration adventure, presented in collaboration with Japanese publisher WonderPlanet.

The official launch trailer for Pandoland shows the mobile title to be a vibrant and colorful RPG featuring adorable blocky characters accompanied by dynamic anime illustrations. The trailer invites players to "freely explore a vast world," meeting companions (and enemies) along the way. Pandoland is available now for iOS and Android devices worldwide, giving players the chance to adventure through this uniquely stylized game.

Pandoland Is A Casual Exploration Game With Pokémon-Like Collection Elements

Play Alone, Go Player Vs Player, Or Work Together

The new mobile title from Game Freak drops players into a world with six continents shrouded in clouds. As players clear the cloud cover from certain areas, they open up opportunities for exploration with a cast of many unique characters. Gameplay consists of world exploration over land and water. Dungeons offer a challenge for players (and their friends), where they'll find monsters to defeat, treasure to uncover, and unique adventurers to unlock and recruit into their adventure.

Pandoland also offers PvP battles and multiplayer experiences like treasure hidden behind co-op puzzles, large monster raids, item trading, and other cooperative features. The whole game is presented in a LEGO-like aesthetic with saturated colors and cute, rounded block designs.

Although this isn't a Pokémon game, Game Freak did include elements of collection in the gameplay with recruitable heroes, urging players to "gather them all." Enemy and boss encounters have a chance of adding the character to your collection, which players can set as companions to explore the dungeons together. The game even begins by having players choose one of three potential companions, corresponding to water, land, and air.

Our Take: Game Freak's Newest Project Looks Like Cute, Casual Fun

The Game Is A Fun New Entry In The Company's Catalog

Game Freak has been working almost exclusively on Pokémon games since the first titles in the 1990s, remaining involved through to the current gen titles. The company does dabble in other projects, though, like the 2015 side-scrolling adventure Tembo the Badass Elephant (published by SEGA), and the 2019 Little Town Hero, which boasts a soundtrack by Toby Fox of Undertale fame.

Game Freak's games are known for having a strong style and wide appeal, and Pandoland is no different. Like most of its other titles, Game Freak's newest game oozes with charm. Pandoland looks like it will provide a fun, casual experience from a gaming industry veteran who knows how to craft excellent games. It's not a Pokémon title, but it seems worth a try for anyone who finds the style and gameplay appealing.

Source: Pandoland/YouTube