Pokémon TCG Pocket Hands-On Preview: Card Collecting Reimagined

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aims to offer a new bite-sized take on the card battling experience, designed for briefer play with an emphasis on collection and special art. The game comes from DeNA, the same developer behind other mobile games like, in collaboration with the Pokémon Company and Creatures Inc. Earlier this month, attended a special hands-on event that offered several hours with the game, giving a better idea of what fans can expect from the title when it launches later this Fall.

Though there have been concerns about an overlap between and , the latter distinguishes itself by leaning much more heavily into the collection aspects of the game rather than fighting. The game’s artists have very much embraced the possibilities the medium allows when it comes to card designs, pursuing ambitious art that’s only possible with a digital format.It’s much easier to browse and sort your owned cards in , and the competition aspects have been pared back to be more easily digestible.

During the event, a frequent sentiment expressed by the Creatures Inc. team was that the new game is meant to be a jumping off point for new fans. Ideally, for players that are perhaps more interested in the art and collection side of things will find much easier to dive into, especially if they've ever felt dissuaded from other titles because they aren’t familiar with all the ins and outs of TCG combat.

At its core, is about collection, and it gives players ample ways to build their card dex and customize how they show it off. The first expansion for the game is Genetic Apex, and includes over 200 cards total of varying rarity. The rarity system in is unique to the title, with cards being ranked either one to four diamonds, or one to three stars depending on type.

Two packs can be opened per day for free, with each booster pack containing five cards. Though the game certainly leans into exploring designs that couldn’t work on paper cards, it also still aims to maintain much of the feeling that comes with opening