Pokemon Friends Comes at the Perfect Time After Gen 10 Leaks

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In the recent Pokemon Presents event, approximately 24 minutes were dedicated to revealing upcoming and ongoing projects related to the franchise. Among these, there was additional information about the Lumiose City in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, along with details of new features associated with it. While this might have been the main attraction for many viewers, The Pokemon Company unexpectedly introduced a completely new game alongside its announcement – Pokemon Friends. This game, though somewhat reminiscent of previous Pokemon titles, has gained significant attention due to its potential implications for leaks about the next generation’s Pokemon games.

In the latest addition to their collection of relaxed games, titled Pokemon Friends, gamers unravel yarn puzzles and feed the result into a Plush-O-Matic device to create adorable Pokemon plushies for room decoration. The game is intended for daily play with fresh challenges regularly introduced, although players can choose to spend real money for instant access to all puzzles. Fundamentally, Pokemon Friends is a calming puzzle game that allows players to relax at their own pace, much like untangling the yarn, and this makes it timely following Gen 10 leaks hinting at the potential loss of one of the longest-standing traditions within the world of Pokemon.

Pokemon Friends’ Puzzles Arrive Right as Gen 10 Risks Losing Its Own

Pokemon Friends Taps Into a Core Element Gen 10 May Leave Behind

At first glance, Pokemon Friends appears to be a straightforward puzzle game, catering to younger audiences as suggested by its marketing. However, beneath this simplicity lies a depth that grows as you advance in the game. The mechanics of the puzzles not only become more complex but also evolve to keep players engaged and challenged. In essence, the design of Pokemon Friends seems to be embracing a fundamental aspect of the Pokemon series that may be fading in Gen 10’s Pokemon games – at least based on leaked information.

Earlier this year, leaks from Teraleak hinted at the setting of Gen 10’s region, known as “Gaia” and inspired by the Greek Cyclades. This region is rumored to promote exploration through islands and incorporate “guardian deities,” much like how Pokemon Sun and Moon lacked Gyms and utilized trials overseen by Totem Pokemon instead. If these leaks prove accurate, it would mean that Gyms might not reappear in the Gen 10 games of Pokemon, potentially removing the puzzles that have historically preceded them.

The design of Pokemon Friends seems to be revisiting a fundamental aspect of the Pokemon franchise that might be absent in Gen 10’s Pokemon games, based on leaks.

It’s clear that the main objective of Pokemon Gym battles has always been to conquer the Gym Leader and earn a badge, but what makes it truly captivating is the lead-up. From solving tile puzzles to navigating strength-based mazes, players were tasked with overcoming distinct challenges that made each location unique and provided a mental workout before the main event. Pokemon Friends essentially steps in to fill this role, given that Gen 10 could potentially be doing away with it entirely. Featuring simplified puzzle mechanics, players can engage in Gym-like challenges, even if they take on a new shape.

Mini-Puzzles Could Be the Last Link to the Gym Leader Experience

If Pokemon Generation 10 indeed discards Gyms, the brain-teasers in Pokemon Friends could serve as a means for players to revisit the puzzles that Gyms used to offer, infused with a strong dose of nostalgia. Inadvertently or not, these mini-puzzles in Pokemon Friends now seem like a farewell tribute to a gameplay system that may be on the verge of extinction. This adds an unexpected significance to the game at a time when the main series appears ready to venture into new realms.

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2025-07-22 19:37