Pokemon Pokopia channels the spirit of Animal Crossing with fruit trees, a tranquil atmosphere, and talking creatures. It scratches the familiar “cozy game” itch that Animal Crossing: New Horizons did with its homebuilding, crafting, and focus on giving players complete agency over a vast and vibrant land. From tree and river placement to what creatures are permitted to inhabit your own personal paradise, these games share quite a lot in common–even if Pokopia’s ability to “catch ‘em all,” albeit with habitats instead of Poke Balls, shakes the formula up a bit. But, despite how similar these series are, they diverge in one key category: capitalism. While the Animal Crossing series features a progression system fueled by money, Pokopia doesn’t.
