The Pokémon franchise, since its inception, has branched out from its main role-playing video games (RPGs) to experiment with other video game genres—to varying degrees of success. A notable example, and fan favorite, is the recently revived “Pokémon Snap” series. 

A new entrant into the Pokémon video game family has arrived on the scene now, and it is part of the growing number of free-to-play games in the franchise. The game is “Pokémon Unite,” the series’s foray into the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) category of games. MOBA games such as “League of Legends” and “Dota 2” are at the center of the competitive e-sports scene and have devoted followings. 

Typically, the gameplay revolves around two teams of players choosing from a roster of heroes with unique abilities with which to engage in combat, gradually upgrading said chosen abilities, and besting the opposing team. “Unite” follows along similar lines, with a few notable differences that create a far more streamlined experience. A typical “League of Legends” match lasts between 30-60 minutes, and players are penalized if they exit the game early. Additionally, move sets and upgrades require a lot of strategy, and their accompanying information can clutter the player’s screen and cause confusion, at least for the uninitiated. “Unite” matches last 10-15 minutes, and your move upgrades and tactical options aren’t as numerous; the matches are quickly paced and full of consistent action. 

It might leave a diehard MOBA fan wanting more, but it is an accessible entry point into what can sometimes be seen as a needlessly complex style of gameplay. Also important is the promise of longevity moving forward. It can be assumed that the game will be continually updated, as is the case with other MOBAs, adding new cosmetic items and rotating the roster of playable Pokémon with the approximately 900 that currently exist. The possibilities are quite numerous and it’s exciting to think what might happen later in the game, even if you’re more of a Pokémon fan than a MOBA fan. 

The accessibility combined with the brand recognition of Pokémon is a pleasant combination, and the game does well to set itself apart from the rest of the MOBA genre.