Pokemon UNITE review: the premier esports tie-in in the franchise

Pokemon UNITE is a modern esports title based on the popular Pokemon franchise. Developed and co-released by Tencent and TiMi Studios in November 2021, the game offers a unique approach to the MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) genre and represents a new era for esports competition in the Pokemon universe. The project is available on Nintendo Switch, Android and iOS.

Pokemon UNITE genre

Pokemon UNITE belongs to the MOBA genre, just like such titles as Dota 2 or League of Legends, which are known for their real-time team battles. In the game, two teams of Pokemon compete to control the map and achieve objectives such as capturing territory and destroying enemy bases. Each player chooses a Pokemon from the available heroes and battles in the arena using their unique abilities and tactics.

Pokemon UNITE gameplay basics

In Pokemon UNITE, players work in teams of five and compete against another team in a large arena. The goal of the game is to gain points by completing various tasks and defeating enemy pokémon. During the game, Pokémon can evolve and improve their abilities, allowing them to become stronger and more effective in battle.

Rules for playing Pokemon UNITE

The game has basic rules that players must abide by. Each team aims to score as many points as possible in a certain amount of time by splitting into three lines. Players must battle enemy Pokémon, capture control points and destroy enemy bases. Successful completion of tasks and winning battles earns the team points and advantage in the game. There are four types of matches in the game, namely training, standard, ranked and fast. The standard and ranking matches are considered to be the most popular.

Standard matches are played as a 10-minute game. In ranked matches, you must be at least a level 6 player to play in a 5 on 5 format. In ranked matches, you get performance points based on your success. With performance points you get a rank that determines which players you play against, because player selection is done by combining people with the same performance. Ranked matches are also played as 10-minute games.

The format of Pokemon UNITE tournaments and matches

Pokemon UNITE offers different formats for tournaments and matches. Major tournaments are organised as championships, where teams compete for titles and large prize pools. Matches can be either online tournaments or offline events where teams come together to battle at a professional level. Tournament organisers determine the rules and formats of the game, and provide the opportunity for spectators to follow the competition via broadcasts. The most popular match format is best-of-three (bo3), or match to two wins. In the grand finals, teams usually participate in best-of-five (bo5) series, i.e. the club that wins 3 games wins.

Prospects for the development of the esports discipline

Pokemon UNITE has great potential for the development of the esports discipline. The combination of the popularity of the Pokemon franchise and the MOBA genre is attracting the attention of both experienced eSports players and newcomers. Thanks to the global community of Pokemon fans, the game has a wide audience that is willing to support and follow the competition.

The development of the Pokemon UNITE esports scene is expected through the organisation of regular tournaments, championships and leagues. Participation in these competitions will allow players to showcase their skills, compete at a high level and strive for victories. Tencent, which owns the rights to Pokemon UNITE, will also play an important role in developing and supporting esports within the game, providing opportunities for players to grow professionally and organise large competitions.

Conclusion

Overall, Pokemon UNITE is a new and exciting esports game in the Pokemon universe. The combination of the popular franchise, MOBA genre and competitive gameplay makes The International a game that will appeal to players and viewers alike. As the Pokemon UNITE eѕроrtѕive scene develops, we can expect to see an increase in the number of competitions, prize pools and professional players, making the game a major eѕроrtѕive tаtle in the Pokemon franchise.