Download this free Pokémon-meets-Inscryption game before it’s too late

Fan-made, new card game. Pocket Crystal League, melds two of our favorite things: Pokémon’s creatures and storytelling, and the deck-building game from Cryptography, Polygon’s 2021 game of the year. Specifically, the card game’s mechanics derive from the first portion of Cryptography that takes place inside Leshy’s cabin.

Pocket Crystal League creator moodytail calls the Poké-card game “pretty straightforward and easy to learn,” and notes that it is “completely different to the Official Trading Card Game.” In other words, no Pokémon TCG experience required.

It’s a nifty marriage of two concepts. It’s a great way to combine two concepts. Cryptography, Pocket Crystal League’s virtual game table has a row where cards can be placed, in order to attack enemy cards. But instead of the horror puzzle’s games stoat and wolves, these cards have gen 1 and gen 2 Pokémon on them. The moment you open the book, Pocket Crystal League, the game prompts players to select a Grass, Fire or Water deck — and each of them have type advantages against enemy Pokémon cards.

You might like Inscryption, To place an offense card, you must pay a fee. However, instead of squirrels Pocket Crystal League Oran Berries can be spent by players in a very fitting way. As the player progresses, other berry types become available. As the player advances, they unlock additional Pokémon, and create the optimal deck. And rather than fighting across several of Leshy’s maps, Pocket Crystal League will have players advancing in a more a Poké-inspired path:

Your goal after choosing your starter deck is to make your way through Kyoumu challenging Gym Leaders in each city. You will then build up your team and reach the Crystal League. Along the way, you’ll be presented with numerous choices to expand your deck, strengthen your cards, give them unique special abilities, and battle other trainers.

The Pokémon aesthetics of the game are adorable and nostalgic — a nice nod to some classic Game Boy games — from the upbeat musical track to the pixelated visuals. Pocket Crystal LeagueItch.io offers a free download and it is compatible with Windows PC. “This project was done ultimately just for fun, and I’m not getting any kind of revenue or payment from it,” moodytail says, “please Nintendo, let it be!”

What if? Pocket Crystal LeagueThis inspires you again Cryptography’s deck-builder gameplay, you might want to check out Kaycee’s Mod, which makes that portion of the game infinitely replayable.