Pokémon is absolutely on fire this year. It’s whipping up multiple projects on several fronts, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game is one of the biggest tabletop experiences of the year. While it’s typically done well, it’s now selling out in record numbers in some regions and becoming increasingly tough to find. There are supposedly measures being taken to prevent scalping, but those remain to be seen.
In the long view, Game Freak and The Pokémon Company are winding up to deliver Winds & Waves in 2027, which is going to introduce a whole new generation of creatures into the mix, as well as new shows and TCG sets. For now, you can join the Pokémon community on Reddit, which is marveling at the promise of Pokémon Rainbow Divine.
In Pokémon Rainbow Divine, you’ll play as a student of Iris University in the region of Ralljai. It’s described as a “modern-day” setting that involves a “technological revolution” in which Synthetic Pokémon exist. With a research-based narrative at its core, it’s your job to look into a mysterious phenomenon involving partially synthetic Pokémon,
Here’s where things get particularly wild: “The university has partnered with a major player in Ralljai, the Union Corporation, to develop its flagship creation: the Pallor Drive, a device that channels synthetic energy, allowing all Synthetic Pokémon and several non-synthetic Pokémon to achieve a heightened ‘state of divinity’ through the process of Divination”
To that end, 140+ new Pokémon will be included, as well as returning characters and new Fakémon (player-invented creatures). The Synthetic concept serves as a new type as well as “Divine.” The loading screens, battle UI, backgrounds, pause menus, and party interface have been reworked to custom fit Rainbow Divine.
A semi-open world is also teased, as well as custom tilesets “painstakingly created” for Rainbow Divine, a lack of HMs that allow for more open-ended travel, and the chance to study at university for extra gameplay bonuses.
As for the demo, you won’t have to wait too long, according to the creator: “A demo is in the works! It has 5-6 hours of gameplay currently and will be playable on the RPGPlayer app on the Apple Store if you wanna spend the $7 to download the app! [It’s being tested for bugs] But will also be available for download on the PC.”
Right now, work is still early, as there’s only around “five to six hours” of gameplay completed. 58 new Pokémon were in an early development build, including 14 maps, 113 reconfigured existing Pokémon, and the new story. A full National Pokédex is not a priority right now, as the creator intends to focus on the original setting.
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Pokemon Red and Blue, Pokemon Yellow, Pokemon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Crystal, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokemon Sapphire, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Pokemon Platinum, Pokemon Black and White, Pokemon Black and White 2, Pokemon X and Y, Pokemon Sun and Moon, Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon Winds and Waves, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Pokemon Legends Z-A
