Game Freak, best known for the Pokémon franchise, has surprised fans with the release of a new adventure RPG, Pand Land, in Japan. This isn't the studio's first foray outside Pokémon, with previous titles like Little Town Hero and HarmoKnight garnering positive reception. This new release comes amidst criticism of recent Pokémon games, often attributed to shorter development cycles. While ILCA developed the 2021 Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes, Game Freak has concurrently released Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and the Gen 9 DLC since early 2022, with another major Pokémon title in development.
Pand Land's arrival demonstrates Game Freak's commitment to diverse projects. This mobile adventure RPG (Android and iOS) casts players as expedition captains exploring Pandoland's vast ocean world in search of treasure. It offers relaxed exploration, combat encounters, and dungeons playable solo or with friends via multiplayer.
Pand Land's Limited Release
Currently, Pand Land is exclusive to Japan. While a global release date remains unannounced, Game Freak expresses significant pride in the project. Development director Yuji Saito emphasized the goal of delivering "a game that takes the scale of a console game and makes it easy and simple to play," as stated in the official announcement by publisher WonderPlanet.
Pokémon fans can rest assured: Pand Land's development hasn't impacted the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, slated for release next year. Details remain scarce, but the anticipation is high given the predecessor's popularity.
