PokeWilds is a free-to-play adventure game from developer SheerSt. This open-world survival video game is based on the Pokemon franchise, but it should not be mistaken as a mod for it. This title is a standalone game that doesn’t require an emulator to run.

PokeWilds looks exactly like Gen 2 Pokemon games, using sprites directly taken from that generation. It’s built using libGDX and features procedural generation to create a randomized world with different biomes, much like how Minecraft worlds are created. This game introduces survival and crafting elements to Pokemon and puts it in an open world.

Explore, battle, and build

In PokeWilds, there are no trainers or gyms anywhere. Pokemon are scattered throughout the vast, procedurally generated world. Upon your approach, a Pokemon can either join your party willingly or act defensively. Talking once more to a defensive Pokemon will make them hostile, forcing you to fight or flee. The world is full of mystery and you will uncover answers as you explore the open world.

In a nutshell, this game is a fusion of Pokemon, Minecraft, and Animal Crossing. Most Pokemons have HM abilities such as Cut, Smash, Repel, and Build, which can be used to navigate the world or interact with the environment. For instance, Cut can be used to gather wood and Build can be used to establish a base. Like Minecraft, the beds you build will function as a restore point.

The game uses Gen 2 Pokemon sprites, but it also includes newer generation Pokemons that have been retro-fied. There is no breeding in the game, so players will need to steal Pokemon eggs to acquire babies. Players can have their Pokemon follow them or ride some of them. Since the world is procedurally generated, world generation can sometimes take longer than the supposed five to 10 minutes.

In version 0.8.11, it introduces a new moddable feature that allows users to adjust the length of Pokemon cries for greater customization. This update also delivers important bug fixes, including resolving an issue that could cause map generation to stall indefinitely. Additionally, doors can no longer be built on roofs, and a movement bug triggered by flying into the desert for the first time has been fixed, improving overall stability and gameplay flow. The next major version of the game, apparently will bring online multiplayer, alongside a plethora of other features.

Should you play it?

PokeWilds is a must-play title for any Pokemon fan. It is not a mod so it doesn’t require an emulator and is easy to install. It retains the charm of Gen 2 graphics while still including Pokemon from the newer entries and introducing innovative mechanics. The game is well-made and continues to improve, with more features likely to be added.