Summary
- The Pokemon franchise explores various genres, from action-RPGs to puzzle games, showcasing the brand's flexibility and adaptability.
- Haunted locations, Ghost Type Pokemon, and eerie elements have long been part of Pokemon lore, hinting at the potential for a darker twist.
- A potential Pokemon horror spin-off could draw from existing scares, design unique gameplay mechanics around certain Pokemon, and offer a diverse, spooky setting.
Over the years, the Pokemon franchise has tackled a wide variety of tones and game genres. From the films players can produce in Black 2 and White 2 Pokestar Studios to the different spin-offs turning Pokemon into various flavors of action-RPG, puzzle game, or rail shooter, it's a franchise that naturally lends itself to flexibility. By now, it almost feels like Pokemon tries everything, though the sheer breadth of spin-offs in the franchise can't be counted out yet.
There's one specific genre and tone that Pokemon may be more hesitant to try, despite using it from time to time. Many Pokemon games love to sprinkle moments of horror into their Pokedex entries, dialogue, and even outright haunted locations. For a world with a continually growing roster of Ghost Type Pokemon, a bit of morbidity makes sense. Playing off of that, it's surprisingly easy to imagine the kid-friendly Pokemon franchise taking a dark twist and releasing a family-friendly horror spin-off at some point down the line.
The 26 Creepiest Pokemon Ever (That Are More Intense Than You Remember)
Not all Pokémon are as cute and cuddly as Pikachu. These guys are way too creepy to ignore.
Supernatural Scares Have Been With Pokemon For A Long Time
Even with 73 unique and regional Pokemon sharing Ghost typing by the end of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, a fear-inspiring Pokemon title might seem like a stretch. It would definitely lie on the less gruesome end of horror, coming off more like Luigi's Mansion than Silent Hill. However, that doesn't mean Pokemon isn't able to creep its fans out. Ever since players stepped into Lavender Town in the first Pokemon generation, strange hauntings by both Pokemon and human ghosts have almost become a series staple, and it feels like only a matter of time before a game tries to capitalize on them.
Pokemon’s Horror Spin-Off Has Lots of Scares To Pull From
Locations like Lavender Town's iconic Pokemon Tower, the Old Chateau from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and even the abandoned Thrifty Megamart from Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon all draw on horror elements to distinguish themselves, and making another place like them would be easy. Populating it would be even easier, as even disregarding some non-phantasmal dual-Type Ghost Pokemon like Shadow Rider Calyrex, there is an abundance of classic and atypical ghosts on Pokemon’s roster. The 73 Ghost Pokemon-figure doesn't account for Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax forms, or the many other Pokemon with darker qualities, so all that remains is putting these pieces together.
Designing a Pokemon Horror Game
How this Pokemon spin-off plays, and what its story could be, is where its developer will have to make some tough choices. Luigi's Mansion is a great starting point, especially if the protagonist is a human trainer rather than another Pokemon like Pikachu. Catching Ghost Pokemon would likely involve more action than Pokemon’s turn-based combat could support, but players should expect to be catching them nonetheless. Pokemon Legends’ Pokeball-throwing mechanics could merge with Fatal Frame’s shifts between third and first-person viewpoints, likely with special Pokeball technology involved on top of environmental puzzles to catch certain Pokemon.
Establishing A Scary Pokemon Spin-off Setting
Speaking of Fatal Frame, the island Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse takes place on could inspire a sufficiently diverse area for a Pokemon game. This island would include beaches, swamps, forests, a haunted village or estate, and a waterlogged tunnel system for the maximum amount of coverage across Pokemon's Ghost Type cast. Its story could then lead to a final boss fight to thwart a ritual summoning for some of the Ghost Pokemon upper echelon, like Giratina or a Gigantamaxed Gengar. There are tons of interesting ways for a Pokemon game to approach horror, and the franchise should eventually give it a shot.
- Created by
- Satoshi Tajiri
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.