Game Freak, renowned for its Pokémon franchise, has unveiled a new adventure RPG, Pand Land, in Japan. This marks another foray beyond the Pokémon universe, showcasing the studio's diverse capabilities. While Pokémon games dominate Game Freak's public image, titles like Little Town Hero and HarmoKnight demonstrate a history of successful standalone projects.

Recent criticism of Pokémon entries, often attributed to shorter development cycles, might surprise those unaware of Game Freak's concurrent work on Pand Land. Although ILCA handled the 2021 Gen 4 remakes, Game Freak itself launched 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 release offers Game Freak valuable creative freedom, benefiting both the studio and players. This adventure RPG, available on Android and iOS in Japan, casts players as expedition captains exploring Pandoland's expansive ocean world in search of treasure. The game features a relaxed exploration style, complemented by combat encounters and dungeons playable solo or with friends in multiplayer mode.

Pand Land's Current Japan-Only Release

Currently, Pand Land lacks an international release date. However, this doesn't preclude future global availability. The game's significance to Game Freak is evident in the official announcement from publisher WonderPlanet, where development director Yuji Saito highlighted the ambition of creating a "console-scale game" with streamlined mobile accessibility.

Pokémon fans can rest assured that Pand Land won't compromise the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, slated for release next year. Details remain scarce, but the anticipation surrounding this sequel is high, fueled by its predecessor's popularity.