Pokémon Day allowed us to discover the first details on Pokémon Winds and Waves, the games that will inaugurate the tenth generation of the famous franchise. Players were able to see the three new starter Pokémon as well as a tropical environment that contrasts with previous regions.
The game’s release is scheduled for 2027. Even if official information is still limited, the trailer and several leaks already suggest a particularly vast open world. The scale of the region could exceed anything the Pokémon series has offered so far.
The Pokémon open world has evolved a lot in recent years
The first Pokémon games were built in a very linear way. Players followed a specific path through different towns and roads, with a few possible detours but generally controlled progression.
Over the generations, the size of the cards has gradually increased. However, it wasn’t until the late 2010s that the series began experimenting with more open mechanics.
Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced the first Wild Areas, allowing players to freely explore certain regions of the map. This development marked an important step for the franchise, even if the adventure remained generally structured.
Pokémon Legends Arceus and Scarlet Violet changed the formula
The year 2022 marked a turning point for the Pokémon series. Pokémon Legends Arceus introduced a new approach with large, interconnected areas that encouraged exploration. The game featured open environments where Pokémon appeared directly in the world. Players could observe their behavior and interact with them in a more dynamic way than in previous games.
The same year, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet took a new step by offering a true open world. Players could explore the region freely and follow the different quests in the order of their choosing. Despite these advances, these games also showed certain technical limitations. The performance and consistency of the world have been criticized by some of the community.
Pokémon Winds and Waves could offer a gigantic card
The first images of the game show a tropical region made up of numerous islands. Players will have to cross the ocean to explore different areas and discover new environments.
Exploration would not be limited to the surface. The return of the Dive ability could allow you to explore the depths of the sea, adding an extra dimension to the game world. According to several leaks mentioned by the community, the map could include many distinct areas.
Among the elements mentioned are:
- 18 different islands with their own cities and biomes
- 9 ocean areas to explore
- 10 deep water areas
- a legendary temple in each version of the game
This information has yet to be confirmed, but it already gives an idea of the potential scale of the project.
An ambition that could transform the Pokémon series
If these elements are confirmed, Pokémon Winds and Waves could become one of the most ambitious games ever made by Game Freak. The addition of maritime exploration, underwater areas, and a large number of islands suggests a much larger open world structure than previous installments.
This development could also improve the replayability of the game. Certain areas could use procedural generation systems, which would make it possible to renew exploration and offer different environments to each game. Although much information remains to be confirmed before the planned release in 2027, one thing already seems clear: Pokémon Winds and Waves seeks to push the boundaries of the open world in the series.