The return to 2D sprites has never excited fans so much. As the Pokémon franchise celebrates its 35th anniversary, an amateur project is already attracting all the attention: Pokémon Hollow Woods, a free game created by a fan, will be available from February 28 on PokeCommunity.
Unveiled in January 2024 and developed by Nineage, this independent project transports players to the new region of Oblar, scene of a conflict between two rival factions. Downloadable for free via a simple standalone executable file, with no external program required, the game promises a complete adventure designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts.
Pokémon Hollow Woods, a tribute to the fourth generation
Pokémon fans have been calling for a return to the aesthetics and rhythm of the Nintendo DS generations for several years. Hollow Woods directly meets this expectation. Its creator explains: “This game aims to recreate the nostalgia of the fourth generation Pokémon games while modernizing certain elements of the classic plot. You will find arena puzzles, badges, a Pokémon professor, a rival and other nods to the official Pokémon storylines. At the same time, the game offers many new features (described below) and encourages exploration, with side quests with rare rewards and regional Pokémon that can only be found by exploring the world in depth. It also raises new questions about the Pokémon universe and its governance.”
Eight arenas, 93 regional forms, and a massive Pokédex
- Eight arenas and one final team to face
- A Pokédex incorporating creatures from the first eight generations
- 93 new regional shapes with personalized mega-evolutions
- Entrance animations for Pokémon
- An optional Nuzlocke mode with level limits
- A remixed original soundtrack
- A dynamic day/night cycle
This volume of content rivals some official opuses. One of the most notable additions is the direct integration of a built-in Nuzlocke mode, simplifying a rule popular among experienced players.
A Pokémon game made by fans for fans
Unlike the official productions developed by Game Freak, Hollow Woods is part of the tradition of community creations hosted on PokeCommunity. Its download will be available from February 28. The developer warns, however: “Although it has been tested, bugs may remain, so back up regularly!”
A strategic release during Pokémon’s 35th anniversary
The release comes in a symbolic year for the franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori and Junichi Masuda. While official announcements are expected to celebrate Pokémon’s 35th anniversary, Hollow Woods stands out as an unexpected addition.
Without an official title, without a major publisher, but driven by a clear vision and a demonstrated respect for the original material, the game illustrates the constant engagement of fans. It now remains to be seen whether Pokémon Hollow Woods will manage to transform the trial when it goes live on February 28.