Pokémon Unite, similar to LoL, will be tested on Android

Pokémon Unite is getting closer to reality, but it's not yet due out this year, to take advantage of the franchise's 25th anniversary date. That's because the game is still in beta: Android users in Canada will be able to test the game from March. Registrations can now be made on the Play Store.

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Pokémon Unite (Image: Handout/The Pokémon Company)

The game resembles League of Legends, both are competitive MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) genre, which pits five players against five others. Each team must defend its base, while trying to destroy the opposing team's.

In the regional beta announcement, The Pokémon Company explains that only players 16 and older will be able to participate. Captures or live streams are not allowed and all game progress will be lost at the end of the test.

How does Pokémon Unite work?

Pokémon Unite is in development by The Pokémon Company and Tencent Games' TiMi Studios. It will also be published on Nintendo Switch and iOS, for iPhone and iPad, in addition to Android.

Despite the similarity to League of Legends by genre, there is a difference in mechanics. Victory is defined by points, not destroyed towers. These points are earned by capturing other wild Pokémon across the map.

On the other hand, there are still duels, after all, it's about Pokémon. Each player controls a monster with unique abilities — like LoL champions. Points obtained from wild captures also yield experience that can make the main Pokémon evolve, strengthening it.

There is no release date set for Pokémon Unite yet. Unlikely to be released in 2021, the year that marks the 25th anniversary of the franchise. However, nothing prevents other regional betas from being opened around the world. If it follows the same path as League of Legends: Wild Rift, which was scheduled for 2020, it will still take a while for us to capture these Pokémon.