Roguelikes are a genre usually defined by “runs” where the player makes as much progress as they can with the tools they’re given to see how far they can make it through whatever challenge the game has laid out for them. Popular examples include Hades and The Binding of Isaac.
Pokémon, on the other hand, doesn’t need much of an introduction. It’s been the highest grossing media franchise in the world for years. There are over a thousand of the marketable little guys. Plus, it’s the only franchise with Toxel. Who doesn’t like Toxel?
So with the immense popularity of both of these things, it is odd that there has never been a crossover between the two. Pokémon has crossed over with fighting games, puzzle games, strategy games and more, so roguelikes seem like they would fit right in, right?
PokéRogue answers our prayers. Do note that PokéRogue is a fan game. It is not developed nor endorsed by the Pokémon Company. It is instead made, maintained and updated by a passionate group of fans with a vision.
Before even playing the game, one of its most attractive aspects of it becomes apparent: it is free and in-browser. The only requirement is an internet connection. Once connected, heading to pokerogue.net will get anyone right into the game.
When starting, the player can only choose from the 27 starter Pokémon (or First Partner Pokémon if you’re a square). Each creature has a point range from one-to-eight. The player has 10 points they can spend each run.
When the player is ready, they are dropped right into a run. They will advance through stages against wild Pokémon and wandering trainers, including a rival who shows up at predetermined points (levels 8, 25, 55, 95, 145 and 195).
The game would likely be boring if the players only had 27 options to choose from. Luckily, when the player catches a monster in the wild, it is permanently unlocked as a starter. This even applies to legendary Pokémon.
The goal is to make it all the way to stage 200. The player has no extra Pokémon storage like in the regular games, so they can only have six with them at a time. If they find a new one that they want on the team, they have to decide who’s getting the boot. Sorry, Bidoof.
Playing the game also unlocks Egg Vouchers, which can be exchanged at the Egg Gacha. Pokémon eggs of varying rarities will come out of the Gacha, and some mons can only be acquired this way. Again, once hatched, a Pokémon is permanently unlocked as a starter.
The real draw of hatching eggs, though, is that Pokémon have a predetermined set of four egg moves that they can acquire. Pokémon, like Abra, become much better when they are able to use their stats and abilities in new ways.
Normally, I like to give the games I review a score from one-to-five, but this is a challenging game to rate. It’s not officially a game, as it’s a fan project not acknowledged at all by Nintendo, but it’s still an incredible experience with a load of love and passion in it.
Of course, our computers are primarily used for note-taking in classes, but let’s not kid ourselves. I see you shopping on Amazon. I saw you shoot your shot with that person from Tinder. Really? That’s the line you’re going with? Sure, buddy.
Every now and again, you just need a break from the monotony of taking notes. When you feel your mind start to wander, consider giving PokéRogue a try. It’s accessible to anyone with an internet connection and you need no prior knowledge of the franchise to understand the game’s mechanics.
Tolbert can be contacted at [email protected]. He’s waiting for you on floor 200.
