Summary
Over the years, thePokemonfranchise has tackled a wide variety of tones and game genres. From the films players can produce inBlack 2andWhite 2Pokestar Studios to the different spin-offs turningPokemoninto various flavors of action-RPG, puzzle game, or rail shooter, it’s a franchise that naturally lends itself to flexibility. By now, it almost feels likePokemontries everything, though the sheer breadth of spin-offs in the franchise can’t be counted out yet.
There’s one specific genre and tone thatPokemonmay be more hesitant to try, despite using it from time to time. ManyPokemongames love to sprinkle moments of horror into their Pokedex entries, dialogue, and even outright haunted locations. For a world with acontinually growing roster of Ghost Type Pokemon, a bit of morbidity makes sense. Playing off of that, it’s surprisingly easy to imagine the kid-friendlyPokemonfranchise taking a dark twist and releasing a family-friendly horror spin-off at some point down the line.
Supernatural Scares Have Been With Pokemon For A Long Time
Even with 73 unique and regional Pokemon sharing Ghost typing by the end ofPokemon ScarletandViolet, a fear-inspiringPokemontitle might seem like a stretch. It would definitely lie on the less gruesome end of horror, coming off more likeLuigi’s MansionthanSilent Hill. However, that doesn’t meanPokemonisn’t able to creep its fans out. Ever since players stepped into Lavender Town in the firstPokemongeneration, strange hauntings by both Pokemon and human ghosts have almost become a series staple, and it feels like only a matter of time before a game tries to capitalize on them.
Pokemon’s Horror Spin-Off Has Lots of Scares To Pull From
Locations like Lavender Town’s iconic Pokemon Tower, the Old Chateau fromDiamond,Pearl, andPlatinum, and even the abandoned Thrifty Megamart fromPokemon Ultra SunandUltra Moonall draw on horror elements to distinguish themselves, and making another place like them would be easy. Populating it would be even easier, as even disregarding somenon-phantasmal dual-Type Ghost Pokemonlike Shadow Rider Calyrex, there is an abundance of classic and atypical ghosts onPokemon’s roster. The 73 Ghost Pokemon-figure doesn’t account for Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax forms, or the many other Pokemon with darker qualities, so all that remains is putting these pieces together.
Designing a Pokemon Horror Game
How thisPokemonspin-off plays, and what its story could be, is where its developer will have to make some tough choices.Luigi’s Mansionis a great starting point, especially if the protagonist is a human trainer rather than another Pokemon like Pikachu. Catching Ghost Pokemon would likely involve more action thanPokemon’s turn-based combat could support, but players should expect to be catching them nonetheless.Pokemon Legends’ Pokeball-throwing mechanicscould merge withFatal Frame’s shifts between third and first-person viewpoints, likely with special Pokeball technology involved on top of environmental puzzles to catch certain Pokemon.
Establishing A Scary Pokemon Spin-off Setting
Speaking ofFatal Frame, the islandFatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipsetakes place on could inspire a sufficiently diverse area for aPokemongame. This island would include beaches, swamps, forests, a haunted village or estate, and a waterlogged tunnel system for the maximum amount of coverage acrossPokemon’s Ghost Type cast. Its story could then lead to a final boss fight to thwart a ritual summoning for some ofthe Ghost Pokemon upper echelon, like Giratinaor a Gigantamaxed Gengar. There are tons of interesting ways for aPokemongame to approach horror, and the franchise should eventually give it a shot.
Pokemon
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.
