Pokemon Insurgence

Pokémon fan games are coming through to the mainstream more and more, and in good standing. Pokémon Insurgence is a new addition to the roster as an outstanding game with a deep plot, set in a new and exciting region that is slowly being overthrown by dangerous cults. Will you be the hero that they need or will the cults take over completely? Only one way to test that, and that’s for you to get into it right now!

Gameplay

As you would expect this game takes a lot of inspiration from existing Pokémon games, everything from Pokémon Blue to other fan games like Pokémon Uranium. As such, they share a great deal of movement and battle mechanics that you see in its progenitors.

Interestingly this also brings a few new features of its own, specifically secret bases and the introduction of Delta Species Pokémon. There is also a litany of online features found throughout, remember the secret bases from a sentence ago, well you can trade and speak with online players and create a team before inviting them over to your secret base for a fun little get together.

Story

This title seems to shy away from a lot of the “childish” themes that you could attribute to a normal Pokémon game. I’m not saying it doesn’t have them but it does swing closer to a “darker” and “Adult” theme with ideas like organised religion, cults of oppression, memory loss and death.

They have also done well to create, what seems to be, an almost entirely different system surrounding who the player is and what they are attempting to achieve. Instead of beating the big four and then the champion, the player is asked to defeat the previous heroes of the region and take their place as its defender against the cults. I won’t go any further into it to avoid spoilers but the concept is really cool.

Fan Game

They have managed to nail the art style here, it looks really great and this game, once again, shows that small development teams can do it too and then release it for free. The creativity, the characterization of the new region’s inhabitants alongside the region itself, is just brilliant. I have been really impressed by it and I’m sure you’ll love it.

Pros:

• A darker and more adult theme.
• Interesting new world
• Great characterisation of the people in the world
• Introduction of new Pokémon
• Looks and feels like an official Pokémon game

Cons:

• A fair few bugs and glitches come up throughout but the developers are working on fixing them.
• The plot can slip into something derivative of a normal Pokémon game every now and then.

Pokémon Insurgence is a fan-made Pokémon game that has been praised for its unique storyline, new features, and engaging gameplay. Developed by a group of fans over the course of three years, Pokémon Insurgence quickly gained a following for its darker tone, challenging battles, and inclusion of features from later Pokémon games. In this review, we will take a closer look at what makes Pokémon Insurgence stand out among other fan-made Pokémon games and whether it lives up to the hype.

Gameplay

One of the most notable aspects of Pokémon Insurgence is its gameplay. The game introduces new features such as Delta Pokémon, which are alternate forms of existing Pokémon with different types and abilities. Delta Pokémon add an extra layer of strategy to battles, as players must learn how to use their unique abilities to their advantage. In addition, the game features a new Mega Evolution system that allows players to Mega Evolve any Pokémon that has a Mega Evolution in later Pokémon games. This feature adds depth to battles and allows players to use their favorite Pokémon in new and exciting ways.

Another unique feature of Pokémon Insurgence is its difficulty. Unlike many other Pokémon games, Pokémon Insurgence is designed to be challenging, with gym leaders and bosses that require careful strategy and planning to defeat. The game also includes a Nuzlocke mode, which adds even more difficulty by requiring players to release any Pokémon that faints in battle. While this can be frustrating for some players, it adds a level of intensity and excitement to the game that is hard to find in other Pokémon games.

A compelling story

The storyline of Pokémon Insurgence is another area where the game stands out. The game takes place in the Torren region, a dark and mysterious land where Pokémon are revered as gods. Players take on the role of a young trainer who must navigate this dangerous world and uncover the truth behind the mysterious cults that worship these powerful creatures. The storyline is much darker than other Pokémon games, dealing with themes of death, betrayal, and corruption. The game's unique setting and storyline make it stand out from other Pokémon games and add a layer of depth and maturity to the series.

When comparing Pokémon Insurgence to other Pokémon games, one game that comes to mind is Pokémon Uranium. Like Pokémon Insurgence, Pokémon Uranium is a fan-made Pokémon game that introduced new features and a unique storyline. However, while Pokémon Uranium was also well-received, it was ultimately shut down due to copyright issues. Pokémon Insurgence, on the other hand, has been allowed to continue and has even received updates and bug fixes since its initial release.

Review: 8.5/10

Overall, Pokémon Insurgence is a well-crafted fan-made Pokémon game that adds new features, challenges, and depth to the series. While the game's difficulty may be off-putting to some players, it adds excitement and intensity to battles and sets the game apart from other Pokémon games. The unique storyline and inclusion of Delta Pokémon and Mega Evolution make the game stand out among other fan-made Pokémon games, and the dedication of the development team to continue updating and improving the game is impressive.

Pros:

• Unique features such as Delta Pokémon and Mega Evolution add depth to battles
• Challenging difficulty level adds excitement and intensity to the game
• Dark and mature storyline adds depth to the Pokémon universe
• Frequent updates and bug fixes show a dedicated development team

Cons:

• Nuzlocke mode can be frustrating for some players
• Some players may find the difficulty level too challenging
• Limited availability and requires a download to play
• Fan-made status may deter some players

Tired of the same old Pokémon formula you’ve experienced for years? Then Pokémon insurgence might help you fall in love with the series once more. This unique fan game takes the original battling and exploring gameplay loop we’ve come to know and love and turns it upside down, throwing a ton of new mechanics into the mix.

Unlike so many fan projects that are content with delivering some minor modifications to an existing Pokémon game, Insurgence is a complete revamp that features a wholly new region and a completed – and slightly creepy – storyline. Find out if you should give this mod a chance with our review!

Cults and Monsters

A common complaint from longtime fans of the Pokémon franchise is that most of the game’s plots seem to be stuck in a perpetually childish world. A select few games – like Pokémon Black and Pokémon White – toyed with the idea of setting their stories in a darker world, something that fans appreciated dearly.

In Pokémon Insurgence, players will get to explore a bizarre world where cults and strange Pokémon are everywhere you look. The Torren Region homes an array of cults centered around legendary Pokémon: this is a fresh departure from the usual Pokémon schtick of having an enemy Team to beat – especially if they’re as lame as Pokémon Sword and Shield’s Team Yell.

Another new feature introduced by Insurgence is transformations. Using Mew’s DNA manipulating powers, players can alter their appearances to help them at different times throughout their journeys. Considering that this game is a more traditional RPG experience than most other games in the series, players can expect to find sidequests and other diversions along the main quest, which is also divided into two different routes.

New Pokémon

Unique to the Torren Region is the Delta Pokémon. These powerful variations are stronger than their standard counterparts, each featuring some clear differences in their designs and typing. With over 200 Delta variants to find in the world, there’s a lot of new faces to see in Pokémon Insurgence.

However, some Delta Pokémon can feel downright broken – particularly those whose normal counterparts were already overpowered, to begin with. For example, using a Delta Scizor feels like cheating, as it can singlehandedly beat the game’s Elite Four.

With so many Delta variants available, these Pokémon feel less like a neat little extra, and more like an outright necessity to beat the game.

More Than Just a Mod

Usually, Pokémon fangames are simply modifications of an already existing mainline game. Even though this game looks and feels quite similar to the DS line of Pokémon games, Insurgence is a wholly original game made in RPG Maker. This means that, while the game might look visually similar to the rest of the franchise, it’s in a whole other ballpark in terms of mechanics.

The impressive locations and massive regions are something that could never have been done in mainline Pokémon games. Not to spoil anything, but your journey isn’t confined exclusively to the Torren Region. There are lots of towns to see and NPCs to interact with in Pokémon Insurgence, making it one of the most technically impressive fan games we’ve ever seen.

Pros:

• Great map design
• Intriguing and complete plot
• Some cool character designs

Cons:

• Balancing issues
• The plot can get a bit too edgy