New Pokémon games come along far less often than I, or many others would like these days, so we usually have to return to older Game Freak releases to scratch that proverbial itch.
Fortunately, it seems like plenty of folks have had enough and are now producing their own fan-made Pokémon games that seek to expand the universe that's been created over the last three decades.
Step forward Pokémon Echo, an upcoming release that's set to take players to the Naisan region, an entirely new and original area that serves as the home to some of the most iconic 'mons in the series.
The game itself is built using Pokémon Essentials, which itself started life as an RPG Maker fan project, with that setup serving as the base formula which these new developers have now further modded into a standalone game.
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There are some interesting directional changes that the team behind the game have decided to go with this time around. Instead of focusing on conquering gyms, the emphasis is placed on archaeology and exploration, as well as puzzle solving and interacting with the game's various NPCs.
It also seems like a remarkably deep project, considering the game's relatively humble background, with a full narrative that sees players unlock the history of the Naisan region, alongside Professor Pallas.
Pokémon Echo also blends the old and the new in a way that should appeal to most. It contains many of the retro features that made the early days of the series great, whilst reducing the grind, streamlining the UI and adding some more modern fun (like double battles).
In even better news, it's set to drop next week with a sample of the game that lasts an impressive 4-5 hours. With work continuing on the game all the time, it won't be ling before that's expanded even further.
Topics: Pokemon