Released Project Vanguard (4.0 UPDATE RELEASE 8/27/2025)

Pokemaster3345 · Feb 18, 2023

Good game, excited for update

Uncreative · Feb 24, 2023

Here is my take: Spoilers ahead

This is a very refreshing Pokemon game. I'm thoroughly enjoying a non-silent protagonist and not only that who feels SUPER real (leaving out spoilers) but to say the characters are a highlight of this game, great to see and excellent writing on your behalf.

three favorites Destiny: who is a great cheery character and is used really well in the story, after the tournament was excellent in really building her character, similar to Hop but not with the painful dialog. Zeke being the brash asshole rival was really nice to see back in a great way, feeling like he very well could be the main character and Rylas is once again incredible, her slowly letting down her guard and needing help to then only give it back in turn is great, the character development is stupendous

the new designs to Pokemon and the NEW Pokemon love all the ones I've seen big fan

(the Electrode line, which i have a shiny of, the nosepass line, and wolfum who is the bestest boy and the hoothoot line.

The games design is genuinely beautiful. All the characters look great, the scenery is really nice and the side quest do great to add a lot to it, and the main plot is really different which works wonders for it having a really good mix of edge and quiet moments.

One of the standout moments is when Rylas first opens up and you get that really nice close up pixel art which brings you in the moment and the tournament arc was great and the abrupt twist worked great as i honestly don't believe that the MC could've won and living entirely for the sake of another dreams wouldn't be a good enough tangible goal to justify winning over Zeke genuine conviction of finally sticking it to his family and saying "I HAVE WORTH" (which its good he didn't win because he isn't done developing and still treats those who do care a bit too shity to justify narratively winning) Team defiances is also a superb' villain team that runs on the beautiful line of team plasma goal of changing the world)

Game mechanics are very different to other games that bring a kind of challenge, all trainer battles being double battles is a good change that require way more strategy and the level caping doubles down on that but not allowing over leveling in the face of adversity,

one thing i will add is the lack of healing where it just be more convenient to have it so not interrupt the flow of the game. Take for instance whenever the MC fall unconscious for narrative reasons and you go back to the academy. It make sense for them to be healed then, so you can get on with the game (though given the abundance of healing spots near there it makes little different), but not allowing healing in between battles where it would make sense like during the qualifier in previously mention tournament arc is great and heightens the challenge by not auto healing your Pokemon.

Glitch I Found:

During the Within the Sadness quest once you've escaped the room your in instead of taking the intended path and go through the cave, if you go back round to the city and back the way you came when you first taken hostage then go up the dramatic stair case you activate the cut-scene where Rylas breaks the dudes hand without being their, which was really disorienting. A few thoughts to mitigate this is have rock smash boulder in front of the path forward to the communications cave and have the fake guardian give it to you as a sign of good will and have a guard stand guard by the entrance to the part of the cave you just explored (sorry if that didnt make sense)

Overall, amazing for your first fangame. What wonderful work you have done, you should be hella proud of it. currently on Act 1 chapter 15 as of writing, but very impressed. : D

Ayrei · Feb 24, 2023

Uncreative said:
Here is my take: Spoilers ahead

This is a very refreshing Pokemon game. I'm thoroughly enjoying a non-silent protagonist and not only that who feels SUPER real (leaving out spoilers) but to say the characters are a highlight of this game, great to see and excellent writing on your behalf.

three favorites Destiny: who is a great cheery character and is used really well in the story, after the tournament was excellent in really building her character, similar to Hop but not with the painful dialog. Zeke being the brash asshole rival was really nice to see back in a great way, feeling like he very well could be the main character and Rylas is once again incredible, her slowly letting down her guard and needing help to then only give it back in turn is great, the character development is stupendous

the new designs to Pokemon and the NEW Pokemon love all the ones I've seen big fan

(the Electrode line, which i have a shiny of, the nosepass line, and wolfum who is the bestest boy and the hoothoot line.

The games design is genuinely beautiful. All the characters look great, the scenery is really nice and the side quest do great to add a lot to it, and the main plot is really different which works wonders for it having a really good mix of edge and quiet moments.

One of the standout moments is when Rylas first opens up and you get that really nice close up pixel art which brings you in the moment and the tournament arc was great and the abrupt twist worked great as i honestly don't believe that the MC could've won and living entirely for the sake of another dreams wouldn't be a good enough tangible goal to justify winning over Zeke genuine conviction of finally sticking it to his family and saying "I HAVE WORTH" (which its good he didn't win because he isn't done developing and still treats those who do care a bit too shity to justify narratively winning) Team defiances is also a superb' villain team that runs on the beautiful line of team plasma goal of changing the world)

Game mechanics are very different to other games that bring a kind of challenge, all trainer battles being double battles is a good change that require way more strategy and the level caping doubles down on that but not allowing over leveling in the face of adversity,

one thing i will add is the lack of healing where it just be more convenient to have it so not interrupt the flow of the game. Take for instance whenever the MC fall unconscious for narrative reasons and you go back to the academy. It make sense for them to be healed then, so you can get on with the game (though given the abundance of healing spots near there it makes little different), but not allowing healing in between battles where it would make sense like during the qualifier in previously mention tournament arc is great and heightens the challenge by not auto healing your Pokemon.

Glitch I Found:

During the Within the Sadness quest once you've escaped the room your in instead of taking the intended path and go through the cave, if you go back round to the city and back the way you came when you first taken hostage then go up the dramatic stair case you activate the cut-scene where Rylas breaks the dudes hand without being their, which was really disorienting. A few thoughts to mitigate this is have rock smash boulder in front of the path forward to the communications cave and have the fake guardian give it to you as a sign of good will and have a guard stand guard by the entrance to the part of the cave you just explored (sorry if that didnt make sense)

Overall, amazing for your first fangame. What wonderful work you have done, you should be hella proud of it. currently on Act 1 chapter 15 as of writing, but very impressed. : D

Hello, thank you for the in depth review and I'm glad you're enjoying the game this much to write one :D

I've recently been watching others play the game, which has led me to make decisions to add more healing spots in the overworld and lower encounter rates even further in the next update. Nothing is ever permanently set in stone and I am always for taking suggestions and changing things!

Cabig · Mar 7, 2023

This looks peak

Ayrei · Mar 17, 2023

New update! Check the changelog to see whats new! https://ayreii.wixsite.com/projectvanguard/post/pokemon-vanguard-2-2-changelog

Ugo · Apr 4, 2023

How does linoone evolve? the pokedex says obstagoon, and I leveled mine up to 35 and at night but nothing is happening.

Ayrei · Apr 4, 2023

Ugo said:
How does linoone evolve? the pokedex says obstagoon, and I leveled mine up to 35 and at night but nothing is happening.

It is not in the game yet

Ugo · Apr 4, 2023

Ayrei said:
It is not in the game yet

Thanks!

Crey · Apr 9, 2023

It's such a good game, can't wait for the next update...

yumio · Apr 10, 2023

idk if this is a glitch but i cant walk through the bridge and im not finding any other path

Ayrei · Apr 10, 2023

yumio said:
idk if this is a glitch but i cant walk through the bridge and im not finding any other path

You have to patch the game, follow the video instructions on the download page

Swimfighter · Apr 15, 2023

hello, Where can i find items to boost EV? In the previous update it was in the pokemoncenter in Oceia. But now they only sell vitamines for IV en nature mints. Help i really need EV's...

Ayrei · Apr 16, 2023

Swimfighter said:
hello, Where can i find items to boost EV? In the previous update it was in the pokemoncenter in Oceia. But now they only sell vitamines for IV en nature mints. Help i really need EV's...

EV system is different now, you just allocate them to your pokemon. Hit enter in the stats menu and you'll see what I mean

XatumiKO · Apr 17, 2023

How far is chapter 21? Like badges/story progression?

UptownFade666 · Apr 18, 2023

Destiny's mom says "afriad" instead of "afraid" at one point. Just an FYI.

Quick question, is the method of evolving riolu the same as other Pokemon games or is there a certain level now?

Ayrei · Apr 18, 2023

XatumiKO said:
How far is chapter 21? Like badges/story progression?

No badges in the game, the current level cap is 45 and each chapter is 30-60 minutes long, there is however a ton of side content to do aswell

Sim101 · Apr 18, 2023

Hello Ayrei
In the last uptade 2.2, in the eastbound forest, one of the tree trunk block the way to the bridge, I check a few stream of the last versions and poeple just go under it but in this version we are completly stock by the bridge (just after the first forest fight with a grunt)
BTW superb game, love the story so far!

Ayrei · Apr 18, 2023

Sim101 said:
Hello Ayrei
In the last uptade 2.2, in the eastbound forest, one of the tree trunk block the way to the bridge, I check a few stream of the last versions and poeple just go under it but in this version we are completly stock by the bridge (just after the first forest fight with a grunt)
BTW superb game, love the story so far!

You didn't apply the latest patch, do so and the issue will be fixed

XatumiKO · Apr 19, 2023

Ayrei said:
No badges in the game, the current level cap is 45 and each chapter is 30-60 minutes long, there is however a ton of side content to do aswell

oh ok nice! I'm looking forward to covering it on my channel, but I'll wait for the finished or full release version! Excited!

Ayrei · Apr 20, 2023

XatumiKO said:
oh ok nice! I'm looking forward to covering it on my channel, but I'll wait for the finished or full release version! Excited!

just letting you know that won't be until late 2026/early 2027

Released Project Vanguard (4.0 UPDATE RELEASE 8/27/2025)

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