Pokemon Conquest Set To Take Over DS Next Tuesday

The Pokemon formula is in for a major overhaul next week. Everyone's favorite monster-snatching, critter-battling franchise collides with classic RPG Nobunaga's Ambition to create the new, strategy-based brawler Pokemon Conquest.

Pokemon Conquest hits U.S. shores Tuesday, June 18, for the Nintendo DS line of handhelds. It can be played on the 3DS in 2D mode, leaving us to wonder where the developers could have misplaced an entire dimension of gameplay.

Breaking from the static paper-rock-scissors combat seen in most Pokemon games, Conquest will allow players to pit up to six of their own monsters against those of an opponent, competing on a variety of maps that reward strategic play and careful maneuvering. Players will take on the role of 36 warlords, each with their own storyline.

In typical Pokemon fashion, you'll be able to recruit additional monsters, make new allies and utilize each warlord's unique skills to win in battle. The large single player campaign will be complemented by a multiplayer mode, allowing friends to battle head-to-head through local wireless.

According to Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive VP of sales and marketing, Conquest will appeal to Pokemon fans new and old, taking gameplay in a whole new direction and requiring no previous knowledge of the 15-year-old series.

“Pokemon Conquest offers new adventures for fans of any experience level,” Moffitt said. “By stepping into the role of a Warlord who must form alliances to unite the region, they can discover a whole new way to enjoy the strategic battles and imaginative storylines that the Pokemon franchise is known for.”

I've somehow managed to avoid the Poke-craze all of these years, but I can certainly get behind a developer taking a series in a new direction. If the following E3 trailer can serve as any indicator, it looks like Conquest will be breathing new life into the much-beloved franchise.



Pokemon Conquest hits store shelves next Tuesday. For more information, visit the official webpage.