‘Figured’ it was time for a Pokémon Duel

Posted on January 27, 2017

If you like board games and Pokémon you are in for a treat as  Pokémon Duel launched a couple of days ago on iTunes and Google Play!

Um nice to meet you also, well-dressed boy
Um nice to meet you also, well-dressed boy

This strategy game has a fairly simple premise:  move your figurine to the opposite side of the board before your opponent does.  Each figurine is a lovable Pokémon, each with special moves and abilities to take the opposing Pokémon figurines out of action. And as per standard Pokémon battling tradition, you are able to choose six Pokémon figurines for each ‘battle’.

Although not animated, the figures look cute and detailed
Although not animated, the figures look cute and detailed

Players are able to complete in tournaments against other players as well as hone skills in AI battles, much like other Pokémon games, however remember this is pretty much a fast paced board game.

Move your figurine to the other side before your opponent does! Easy!
Move your figurine to the other side before your opponent does! Easy!

To add to the strategy, players are able to upgrade their Pokémon and increase their experience through battling and sacrificing lesser Pokémon for their experience using the ‘Fusion’ system.

A spinning wheel determines the move your perform in battles
A spinning wheel determines the move your perform in battles

Of course, it wouldn’t be a mobile game if there wasn’t a store to offer quick access to new Pokémon figurines.  This being said, Pokémon Company International include in their start up splash screen that “this game can be finished completely for free”.  I guess losing counts as finishing the game.

Although the markers promise you can play the game without spending money, there is always the store to tempt you
Although the markers promise you can play the game without spending money, there is always the store to tempt you

If you want to have more Pokémon battles on your mobile device,Pokémon Duel might be the answer to your prayers.  Emphasis on ‘might’. And although the game certainly looks interesting and the initial game play promising (if you survive through the tutorial), it is certainly not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.