Pokemon Gen 10: Rumored to be Gen 3 All Over Again with Greek Archipelago Setting

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As a devoted fan, I find it hard to fathom that we’re on the cusp of the tenth generation of Pokémon games! After the rocky debut of the latest mainline installments, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, many of us are eagerly anticipating improvements in the next iteration. With rumors swirling that it might launch on the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, fingers are crossed for a fantastic follow-up.

Since Game Freak has been immersed in developing Pokémon Legends Z-A recently, details about Generation 10 have been scarce. Consequently, most of what we know about these games is derived from leaks and insider reports.

Come October 2024, I found myself on the edge of my seat as Game Freak grappled with a heart-wrenching hacking incident that spilled confidential Pokémon details, along with private employee data, into the open. In these exposed documents, there were tantalizing hints about Pokémon Gen 10, including its potential platforms and code names. As it turns out, the next mainline Pokémon games are reportedly being referred to internally as Pokémon Gaia within the company. Furthermore, rumors have it that these upcoming titles might draw inspiration from the Pokémon Horizons anime. Interestingly enough, if some reports are true, Pokémon Gen 10 could share a significant similarity with Gen 3 – a setting immersed in water.

Pokemon Gen 10 is Reportedly Going to be Set on a Greek Archipelago

The New Region in Pokemon Gen 10 May Be Similar in Structure to Hoenn

A trusted source known as Centro LEAKS on Twitter has recently suggested that the upcoming “Pokemon” game, code-named “Gaia,” will be set on the Cyclades, a collection of actual Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. Earlier this year, Centro LEAKS hinted at “Pokemon Gaia” being a multi-generation game, but in their most recent tweet, they mentioned that the game will only be available for the Switch 2 in 2026. It appears that the plan to release “Pokemon Gen 10” on the original Switch has been abandoned.

Similar to many Pokemon games, it’s likely that Pokemon Generation 10 will be set in a fantasy world reminiscent of the Cyclades archipelago, not the actual Cyclades islands themselves.

In a sense, although the Cyclades are a genuine geographical location and Hoenn is a fictional setting from the Pokemon games Ruby and Sapphire, they possess a faint similarity – both have numerous bodies of water. However, it’s important to note that Hoenn has a significantly larger main island compared to the Cyclades. Nevertheless, this water-rich landscape was a point of contention for some fans who found the abundance of water in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire excessive.

Pokemon Gen 10 Should Avoid Falling into the “Too Much Water” Pitfalls that Gen 3 Fell Into

In a 2014 appraisal, the gaming magazine IGN rated the Nintendo 3DS remakes of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, titled Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, with a score of 7.8 out of 10, citing “too much water” as one of its criticisms. This critique was considered somewhat absurd by many fans, leading to the phrase “7.8/10 too much water” being humorously embraced within the Pokémon community. Over time, this joke became so prevalent that it was even acknowledged by Game Freak in Pokémon Sun and Moon.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but reflect on my experience with Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (ORAS). While many fellow fans may have dismissed the IGN review, there were some compelling points about the “too much water” critique that resonated with me. The game seemed overloaded with Water-type Pokemon, to the extent that one could almost breeze through the games with just a handful of Electric-types by their side.

This imbalance wasn’t the only issue; ORAS also featured an abundance of surf areas. Unfortunately, these areas often lacked the intricate level design and complexity that I crave in my Pokemon adventures. If Generation 10 is indeed set on a Cyclades-inspired archipelago, I sincerely hope Game Freak learns from their past mistakes with Hoenn and strikes a more balanced approach to the game’s ecosystem and geography.

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2025-04-30 19:19