Developed by GungHo Online Entertainment, Yo-Kai Watch World has players encounter Yo-Kai in the real world in order to collect them and fill up their Yo-Kai Encyclopedia. The in-game search function must be used to search for nearby Yo-Kai, which can be seen once they’re located by tapping the Yo-Kai icon that appears. They’ll have to be chased down before you can battle them.
Once the player has reached the located Yo-Kai, a battle will start. Battles in Yo-Kai Watch Word are a simplified version of those seen in the main Yo-Kai Watch series, with three on three combat with both regular and special attacks. Once defeated, you have a chance of befriending the Yo-Kai, although it’s unclear if your chances are increased by giving Yo-Kai food as in the main series.
Another way to befriend new Yo-Kai is by planting Yo-Kai Trees in certain areas. The trees will attract more Yo-Kai, giving players a higher chance of befriending Yo-Kai that they haven’t encountered yet.
In addition to battling located Yo-Kai, players can also engage in Advent Boss battles, which feature strong boss Yo-Kai that may give special rewards when defeated.
A feature unique to Yo-Kai Watch World is that players are able to have their Yo-Kai “possess” other players, which will allow them to bring back Yo-Kai from other areas without the first player having to travel there. The possessor Yo-Kai may also return with special gifts. Additionally, players can command them to plant a Yo-Kai Tree in another area.
Yo-Kai Watch World is available on iOS and Android in Japan.CoroCoro Comic also uploaded a video with seven minutes of gameplay on their YouTube channel. It is currently unknown if Yo-Kai Watch World will launch outside of Japan.
