Pokemon Fans Looking For a Challenge Should Try Out This New $10 Game

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Even before the issues with Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, many fans have had mixed feelings about recent Pokemon games. Some longtime players feel the newer games are too easy due to features like experience share and simplified exploration. They’d like to see Pokemon return to its more challenging origins, or at least reduce the emphasis on collecting rare, shiny Pokemon through features like special sandwiches and charms. Because of this, new games inspired by older-style creature collectors have become popular.

If you enjoyed the classic 2D pixel art and gameplay of early Pokemon games like Red and Blue, you’ll want to check out EvoCreo. Originally released on mobile, it’s now available on PC through Steam. Just looking at screenshots evokes that nostalgic Pokemon feel, and I’ve had a chance to play it. It brings back the challenge of collecting creatures, which is great if you miss the days before features like XP share made things easier. And at only $10 on Steam, it’s a very affordable game.

EvoCreo Battles Offer Strategic Opportunity With an Old-School XP Grind

As a longtime Pokémon fan, I’ve seen how training has changed – it used to be all about battling specific opponents to gain experience. Now with things like XP Share and those handy XP Candies, leveling up Pokémon feels almost too simple. That’s why starting EvoCreo was such a cool surprise, but also a little intimidating! This game goes back to basics – you really have to think about which Creo you’re battling with and build a solid team if you want them all to reach their full potential. It’s a refreshing change of pace, honestly.

EvoCreo doesn’t just challenge players in combat itself; it also makes preparing for battles quite demanding. Unlike many games where creatures learn a limited number of moves, Creo can access all of their moves at any time. It’s up to the trainer to carefully select the best moves for each situation. This is trickier than it sounds because each move has a recharge time. If you equip your Creo with too many slow-recharging moves, you might run out of options during a fight. Conversely, relying too much on fast-recharging moves could leave you with insufficient power. And that’s before even considering the different elemental types!

When I played EvoCreo, I was surprised by how much strategy it required – more than I’ve felt in a Pokémon game for a long time. This is partly because the game has a learning curve, with its own unique rules and ways to play. But it’s also genuinely challenging! It’s difficult to simply become overpowered, so you really have to think through each battle. Your decisions matter, as your creatures aren’t strong enough to win on their own. And to keep your options open, you need to actively use and level up different creatures.

Exploring the World of EvoCreo Took Me Back to Early Pokemon Games

If you enjoy the battling in Pokémon games, EvoCreo is a great choice. But it also brought back memories of playing on my Game Boy Color, particularly how you get around the game world. Many areas aren’t immediately accessible – you’ll need specific moves or abilities from your Creo to reach them, like using ‘Glide’ to fly over gaps. Instead of Hidden Machines (HMs), you have to find and level up the right Creo who can learn those essential moves. This makes exploring the world and searching for your father – all while aiming to become a Creo champion – a bit more challenging and rewarding.

Recent Pokémon games include obstacles while you explore, but they aren’t usually as challenging as the ones in the older games – like needing a specific item to cut down trees or wake up a sleeping Snorlax. Playing EvoCreo reminded me of those days, as I had to come back later when I had a monster with the right ability to reach certain items. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, with its many easily accessible items, made me forget what it was like to feel truly blocked. While it can be frustrating, this type of obstacle actually makes exploring feel more satisfying.

While the PC version of EvoCreo has a few issues, it’s still a really enjoyable and nostalgic game for fans of classic creature-collecting titles. It launched on Steam on January 7th, and the sequel is coming later this year. If you’re looking for a Pokémon-like experience before the next generation is revealed, EvoCreo is worth checking out, especially at only $10.

Are recent Pokémon games too simple? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-07 23:15