Farlight had a stellar 2024, continuing their successful partnership with Lilith Games to bring the much-anticipated AFK Journey to mobile, catering to the ever-growing demand for idle RPGs. As we step into 2025, Farlight is not slowing down, with their latest venture, Ace Trainer, currently in soft-launch in regions such as South Korea and the US, catching our attention.
So, what exactly is Ace Trainer? It's a game that unabashedly draws inspiration from Pokemon, where you collect, train, and level up fantastical creatures to battle on your behalf. However, Farlight adds a unique twist reminiscent of Palworld, transforming the gameplay into a thrilling tower defense experience against hordes of zombies, rather than a traditional turn-based battle system.
But that's not all—Ace Trainer also incorporates pinball mechanics, allowing players to shoot and collect resources, creating an eclectic mix of genres. While this blend might not be ready for a global release just yet, the soft launch in multiple regions suggests that Farlight has high hopes for Ace Trainer's future.
Describing Ace Trainer as "everything and the kitchen sink" feels apt, given the diverse elements it combines. From what we've seen so far, the game includes PvP, PvE, tower defense, and pinball, which might seem overwhelming. As someone in the UK, I haven't had the chance to play it yet, but the mix of genres is intriguing, if a bit dizzying.
While the combination of these popular elements might raise eyebrows, it's clear that some gamers are excited about the prospect. The question remains whether this ambitious blend can withstand long-term scrutiny and player engagement.
If you enjoy our candid take on gaming news, be sure to check out the latest episode of the Pocket Gamer podcast, where we dive into the first news highlights of 2025.
