Pocket Mortys
{{Short description|Role-playing video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title=Pocket Mortys
|image=Pocket Mortys.png
|caption=App icon
|developer=Big Pixel Studios, Tag Games, Pocket Sized Hands
|publisher=Adult Swim Games
|released={{Video game release|WW|{{Start date|2016|01|13}}}}
|genre=Role-playing
|modes=Single-player, multi-player
}}
Pocket Mortys, also known as Rick and Morty: Pocket Mortys, is a free-to-play role-playing video game developed by Big Pixel Studios, Tag Games and Pocket Sized Hands{{Cite web|title=Pocket Sized Hands – Co-development Studio for hire|url=https://pocketsizedhands.com|access-date=2023-10-09|language=en-US}} and published by Adult Swim Games. The game was released worldwide on January 13, 2016 for iOS and Android devices. The game is based on the television series and franchise Rick and Morty and the mechanics serve as a parody/remake of the Pokémon franchise, being updated each episode with new playable characters based on those from the wider franchise every year since.
Two comic book adaptations, Pocket Mortys (2016) and Pocket Like You Stole It! (2017), written by Tini Howard, have been published by Oni Press.
Description
Pocket Mortys is based on the multiple timeline concept as described in episode 10 of season 1, "Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind".{{cite web|last=Minor|first=Jordan|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2498099,00.asp|title=Pocket Mortys (for iPad) Review & Rating|publisher=PCMag.com|date=2016-01-19|access-date=2016-02-01|archive-date=2016-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207131911/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2498099,00.asp|url-status=live}} The game uses a style and concept similar to the Pokémon games, with the player (Rick C-123) catching various 'wild' Mortys, battling them with a variety of 'Trainers' in the form of aliens, Ricks and several supporting characters.{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/15295-Pocket-Mortys-Review|title=Pocket Mortys Review - Reviews - The Escapist|work=The Escapist|access-date=2016-01-29|archive-date=2019-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111222017/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/15295-Pocket-Mortys-Review}} The game features voice acting from Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon,{{cite web|last=Dornbush|first=Jonathon|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/06/rick-morty-pokemon-game-release-date-details|title=Pocket Mortys Pokémon-like game release date, details|publisher=EW.com|date=2016-01-05|access-date=2016-02-01|archive-date=2016-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113014455/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/06/rick-morty-pokemon-game-release-date-details|url-status=live}} and, since 2023, Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden.
=Gameplay=
Pocket Mortys is in a third-person view, overhead perspective and consists of three basic screens: an overworld, in which the player navigates the main character; a side-view battle screen; and a menu interface, in which the player configures their Mortys, items, or gameplay settings.{{cite web|url=http://www.geek.com/games/pocket-mortys-is-a-full-rick-and-morty-pokemon-game-for-your-smart-phone-1644688/|title=Pocket Mortys is the best Pokémon game for your smartphone - Games - Geek.com|work=@geekdotcom|access-date=2016-01-29|archive-date=2019-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111223530/https://www.geek.com/games/pocket-mortys-is-a-full-rick-and-morty-pokemon-game-for-your-smart-phone-1644688/}}
The player can use their Mortys to battle other Mortys. Supposedly the strongest Morty so far is The One True Morty later revealed in the game. Wild Mortys are visible on the overworld and can be battled. "Trainer" fights are also visible and entail fighting against their party of up to five Mortys. When the player encounters a Morty or a trainer, the screen switches to a turn-based battle screen that displays the engaged Mortys. During battle, the player may select a maneuver for their Morty to use in the fight, use an item, switch their active Morty, or (against the wild Mortys) attempt to flee. Mortys have hit points (HP); when a Morty's HP is reduced to zero, it gets dazed and can no longer battle until it is revived. Once an enemy Morty faints, the player's Morty involved in the battle receive a certain number of experience points (EXP). After accumulating enough EXP, a Morty will level up. A Morty's level controls its physical properties, such as the battle statistics acquired, and the moves learned. The player may combine two Mortys of the same type to evolve them; these evolutions affect the statistics and which moves are learned. Catching wild Mortys is another essential element of the gameplay. During battle with a wild Morty, the player may throw a Manipulation Chip at it. If the Morty is successfully caught, it will come under the ownership of the player.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2016/01/18/pocket-mortys-is-the-mobile-pokemon-game-nintendo-should-have-made-years-ago|title={{'}}Pocket Mortys{{'}} Is The Mobile {{'}}Pokémon{{'}} Game Nintendo Should Have Made Years Ago|last=Tassi|first=Paul|work=Forbes|access-date=2017-09-08|archive-date=2019-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111222016/https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2016/01/18/pocket-mortys-is-the-mobile-pokemon-game-nintendo-should-have-made-years-ago/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-rick-and-morty-pocket-mortys-332176.phtml|title=Review: Rick and Morty: Pocket Mortys|work=Destructoid|access-date=2016-01-29|archive-date=2019-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005022545/https://www.destructoid.com/review-rick-and-morty-pocket-mortys-332176.phtml|url-status=live}}
The ultimate goal of the game is to collect and level-up a team of Mortys to battle against the Council of Ricks, who have taken Rick's portal gun until he proves himself to be worthy of getting it back.
=Playable characters=
Playable characters are divided into two main roles: Trainers and Mortys.
The current list of playable recurring characters in the game currently include:
Trainers: (boys) Rick Sanchez, Jerry Smith, Bigfoot, Mr. Goldenfold, The Observer, Gearhead, The President, Roy, Bruce Chutback, Mr. Nimbus, Terryfold, Mr. Butthole, Noob Noob, Concerto, Jaguar, Hemorrhage, Scary Terry, Squanchy, and Sleepy Gary; (girls) Summer Smith, Beth Smith, Virtual Diane, Dr. Helen Wong, Jerry's Mom (Joyce Smith), Princess Poneta, Planetina, and Morty's Girlfriend
Mortys: (boys) Morty Smith Sr., Mortydrangea, Morty Smith Jr., Kissing Cats Morty, Mytholog Morty, Pringles MortyBot, Larry, and The Child of Gaia; (girls) Mindy "Morticia" Smith,{{Cite web|author=JTH|date=November 20, 2020|title=Pocket Mortys Mortys – ArtStation|url=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/Vgb804|access-date=November 20, 2020|work=ArtStation|quote=For a female Morty I looked for cues from how the show handles female characters and not just to add long hair. Secret Pocket Mortys Lore – Her real name is 'Mindy', Morticia is the nickname everyone else calls her behind her back…}} Mortaion Morty, Marta, Mortabel Pines–Smith (Girl Morty), Wendy Morty, Supernova Morty, Tammy Morty, Businesswoman Morty, and trans girls Princess/Queen Morty and Roller Derby Morty
Comic series
{{Infobox graphic novel
|title=Pocket Like You Stole It!
|image=
|imagesize=
|caption=
|publisher=Oni Press
|issues=5
|origisbn=978-1-6201-0416-3
|writers=Tini Howard
|colourists=Katy Farina
}}
Two spin-off comic book adaptations, Rick and Morty in: Pocket Mortys and Rick and Morty: Pocket Like You Stole It!, written by Tini Howard, have been published by Oni Press, respectively released on September 28, 2016 and from July 5 to November 22, 2017.{{Cite web|last=Franco|first=Bob|date=June 23, 2017|title=RICK AND MORTY: POCKET LIKE YOU STOLE IT: Creative Team Interview|url=https://comicsalliance.com/oni-variant-covers-rick-and-morty-lil-poopy-superstar-exclusive|access-date=June 23, 2017|website=ComicsVerse|archive-date=June 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616145831/http://comicsalliance.com/oni-variant-covers-rick-and-morty-lil-poopy-superstar-exclusive/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Nevin|first=Will|date=September 7, 2017|title=GO. FIGHT...MORTY? Talking with the team behind {{'}}Rick and Morty: Pocket Like You Stole It{{'}}|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2017/09/go_fightmorty_talking_with_the.html|access-date=September 7, 2017|website=Oregon Live|archive-date=September 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918015512/https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2017/09/go_fightmorty_talking_with_the.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|author=CBR Staff|date=September 26, 2016|title=Rick and Morty #18|url=https://www.cbr.com/rick-and-morty-18|access-date=September 26, 2016|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-date=October 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003164212/http://www.cbr.com/rick-and-morty-18/|url-status=live}}
Reception
The game received "mixed or average" reception, according to review aggregator Metacritic.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pocket-mortys/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|title=Pocket Mortys|work=Metacritic|access-date=2016-01-29|archive-date=2020-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218091109/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/pocket-mortys|url-status=live}} PC Magazine gave the game a rating of 3.5/5, and Patricia Hernandez of Kotaku stated that the game was "brilliant".{{Cite web|title=The Rick and Morty Version of Pokémon Is Brilliant|url=http://kotaku.com/the-rick-and-morty-version-of-pokemon-is-brilliant-1753822033|website=Kotaku|access-date=2016-02-06|language=en-US|first=Patricia|last=Hernandez|date=20 January 2016 |archive-date=2016-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206170333/http://kotaku.com/the-rick-and-morty-version-of-pokemon-is-brilliant-1753822033|url-status=live}}
IGN was not as favourable in its review, giving the game a "mediocre" 5.5 rating, stating that the game "lacks cohesion" and that it was "little more than a diluted Pokémon imitator".{{Cite web|title=Rick and Morty: Pocket Mortys Review|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2016/01/12/rick-and-morty-pocket-mortys-review|website=IGN|access-date=2016-02-06|first=Cassidee|last=Moser|date=12 January 2016 |archive-date=2019-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111222023/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2016/01/12/rick-and-morty-pocket-mortys-review|url-status=live}} HardcoreGamer mirrored this opinion by giving the game a score of 2.5/5.{{Cite web|title=Review: Pocket Mortys |website=Hardcore Gamer|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/01/21/review-pocket-mortys/188360|access-date=2016-02-06 |date=21 January 2016 |archive-date=2016-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207062002/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/01/21/review-pocket-mortys/188360/|url-status=live}} With the commercial success of the game, it prompted Adult Swim Games to acquire Big Pixel Studios two years and four months later on May 21, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/05/21/adult-swim-acquires-pocket-mortys-developer-big-pixel-studios|title=Adult Swim acquires Pocket Mortys developer Big Pixel Studios|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|work=VentureBeat|date=May 21, 2018|access-date=May 21, 2018|archive-date=May 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522112755/https://venturebeat.com/2018/05/21/adult-swim-acquires-pocket-mortys-developer-big-pixel-studios/|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Rick and Morty}}
{{Pokémon}}
Category:Android (operating system) games
Category:Free-to-play video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Role-playing video games
Category:Video games based on animated television series