Pokémon Pokopia is the new moment. It seems like everywhere I look, players are loving this game’s quirky dialogue, cozy building loop and adorable Pokémon interactions.
Personally, I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit perfecting my Withered Wasteland layout, arguably spending too much time on it. I know I’m not the only one who spent hours watering the land, only for Slowpoke to come along and do it for me. Oh well. If you’ve already restored the Kanto ruins to their former glory and find yourself itching for another world to nurture, I’ve got you covered! From "weird little guys" to post-human road trips, here are 11 games that capture that same electric (type) feeling.
9. Paleo Pines
If Pokémon Pokopia is a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Paleo Pines is the "Prehistoric Pokopia" that lets you swap Pidgey for a Psittacosaurus.
In this game, you set off on a lively adventure with your dino pal, Lucky, who you’ve known since she was just an egg to restore habitats and find the other parasaurolophus. This independent life simulation game hinges on the "Trust" mechanic, a direct parallel to Pokemon Pokopia’s "Friendship Levels".
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You build a ranch, with each dino you befriend helping out with their unique special farming skill. With their help, you can grow the highest quality produce in all of Paleo Pines.
With Very Positive Steam reviews, this charming island is filled with friendly townsfolk and hidden corners, perfect for Pokémon Pokopia fans. If it’s not your kind of thing, maybe check out this next one. Build a new home, make friends, and unravel the island's lost history. Get ready for a journey filled with delightful discoveries alongside your trusty steed Lucky!
Available on Linux, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S
8. Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise
Yes - specifically the sequel. If Pokémon Pokopia’s charm comes from a Bulbasaur loving the swanky home you created for them, 2008’s Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise’s "Just for Fun" mode is the ecological blueprint. I remember begging my mum to pick this up from our local library (support libraries folks) and absolutely loving it as a kid.
Pokémon Pokopia’s core loop moves away from "catch 'em all", to a "host 'em all" philosophy, similar to Viva Piñata. You are a concierge for creatures. The satisfaction comes from the moment a sour Macaraccoon turns resident, mirroring that sigh of relief when a Pokémon deems your house worthy of staying in. If you loved Pokémon Pokopia’s transformation from wild space into a curated sanctuary, this is definitely a classic you should check out.
Available on Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox 360
7. Slime Rancher 2
Slime Rancher 2 is a ridiculously cute game that Ditto’s bouncy, kinetic movement really reminded me of. If you loved the cute-factor of Pokémon Pokopia, this one is for you. Instead of a Ditto, you’re in a world of Tabby and Cotton Slimes that react to your presence. You suck up Plorts and Slimes to upgrade your Conservatory. Yes, those are real words.
6. Dragon Quest Builders 2
I’d be remiss not to mention Square Enix and Koei Tecmo’s Dragon Quest Builders 2 - one of my favourite games of all time. This truly is the blueprint for Pokémon Pokopia - with very similar mechanics. In Pokémon Pokopia, your Pokémon help you build; in Dragon Quest Builders 2, your villagers are your construction crew. You place the outline, and an entire town of NPCs swarm in to build it, brick by brick. You make your villagers happy, you unlock new recipes and progress in the story. Sounds familiar, right?
Without the Koei Tecmo influence on the engine, Pokopia’s building wouldn't feel nearly this snappy. If you’ve ever wondered what a world without Pokémon would look like using the same high-tier building logic, this is the gold standard.
Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
5. Ooblets
If you found yourself chuckling at the localized dialogue in Pokémon Pokopia, Ooblets is your next mandatory play. I love these weird little guys. Mechanically, it mirrors Pokopia’s town-building and social simulation but replaces traditional battles with non-violent dance-offs. The "Follower" mechanic in Ooblets—where your little sprout-lings trail behind you—perfectly mirrors the Pokopia party system. It’s a big reason why I love Pokémon Mystery Dungeon so much - the joy of existing in a town with Pokémon as my neighbours is so nice.
4. My Time at Sandrock
For the players who loved rebuilding the Wastelands, My Time at Sandrock is the next best thing. You are a Builder arriving in a struggling desert community, tasked with literal societal reconstruction. While it lacks the "catching" element, it doubles down on the "Pokémon working in town" vibe through its NPC and machine automation systems. I had a good time with this one it’s the sequel to the 2019 video game My Time at Portia and is set in a desert, 300 years after an event that destroyed modern technology. Sounds familiar to Pokémon Pokopia!
The NPCs here are as quirky as any Pokémon, with deep backstories and gift-giving preferences. The oh-so-satisfying "before and after" of seeing a ruin turn into a thriving hub is dialled up in this game.
3. Grow: Song of the Evertree
Grow takes the environment transformation we love in Pokémon Pokopia, and turns it into a best-in-class world-building engine. In Pokémon Pokopia, you use a Pokémon’s move to clear a forest or create a pond; in Grow, you craft "World Seeds" that generate entirely new biomes on the branches of the Evertree. It’s the two halves of what makes Pokémon Pokopia so magical - half eco restoration, half town architect.
2. Disney Dreamlight Valley
The core loop of Pokémon Pokopia I love so much is making my Pokemon happy - you build a specific habitat, and a Pokémon moves in. Disney Dreamlight Valley takes that exact concept and triples down on the narrative. Here, you venture into realms to rescue Disney movie icons like Wall-E or Elsa, then convince them to move back to the Valley by building them a home that suits their specific brand of magic, or give them items. This unlocks upgrades that let you progress the narrative. It’s a very cosy vibe!
1. Outbound
This indie game is in the top 20 most wishlisted games in the world and was played by over 300,000 people during the Steam Next Fest. I’m one of them - it’s been on my wishlist for a while. The goal isn't to prevent an apocalypse, but to thrive in a world that has already moved past one. In this open-world exploration game, you start with an empty camper van and turn it into the home of your dreams. The relaxing, lonely world and the way you meet friends is great for fans of
Topics: Pokemon