Featured Image Credit: Onibi
There's no stronger platform for success than Pokémon; it's a recipe replicated by Palword and Ark: Survival, as you can't say no to a cute creature and an engaging combat experience.
But how can you improve on a masterfully mapped-out system like Pokémon's? Well, Minecraft.
The timeless sandbox title is a realm of endless possibilities, and the only thing missing is a Pikachu to blast away those dastardly baby zombies.
That's what Tomo: Endless Blue promises to be, as the upcoming RPG is an absolute amalgamation of these gargantuan franchises.
Announced on May 26, Tomo: Endless Blue is currently undergoing a Kickstarter as the sandbox game showcased an early Alpha gameplay trailer and instantly stole our hearts.
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With real Nintendo vibes behind the cutesy characters, and a typically Mojang 1x1 block-by-block landscape, we're in for a treat come 2027.
As crossovers go, this is as on-the-nose as possible.
It's not a case of seeing a medieval sword and yelling Skyrim, this is an open-world RPG that almost perfectly replicates the blockhead Minecraft sandbox biomes with creatures and beasts that would not be out of place in Wind and Waves.
Players will use handgliders to traverse around the open-world map like it's Arceus, throwing capture cards at local wildlife to earn themselves a place in their backpack.
Then, using blocks and self-sourced materials, you'll build new pens, houses, boats, and bases for your new family.
"Each player’s world is procedurally generated, revealing unique islands, landmarks, villages, people, and adventures across the same living ocean, ready to be explored alone or with friends," reads the game description.
"Capture and train Tomo, build a home, shape the world around you, and uncover the hidden history of the Endless Blue together."
Set to release in 2027, as long as the Kickstarter continues in its same vein, the jolly and colourful critterful base-builder looks to be outrageously fun.
As far as 2026 is concerned, most developers have conceded that the year belongs to Rockstar Games. It's a Grand Theft Auto world, and we're all going to be living in it.
But for 2027, the gloves are off, and if Tomo Endless Blue lives up to the reputation of the two titles it is painted under, there's no denying that it could be one of the standout RPGs of the year.
Next year is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive game release windows of all time, which could be a blessing and a curse; an increased gaming appetite could be a ticket to success, but being swallowed by an AAA title could be an early nail in its coffin.
Either way, we'll be there, and
