Ace Trainer is a new Farlight Games release, in soft launch for select regions

Farlight had an impressive 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 draws clear inspiration from Pokémon, where you collect, train, and level up fantastical creatures to battle on your behalf. However, Farlight has infused it with a unique twist reminiscent of Palworld, transforming it into a tower defense game where your creatures fend off waves of zombies rather than engaging in traditional turn-based combat.

Adding to its eclectic nature, Ace Trainer incorporates pinball mechanics, allowing players to shoot and collect resources. This blend of genres—combining elements of tower defense, pinball, PvP, and PvE—creates a game that's hard to pin down but undeniably intriguing. While a global release might not be imminent, the soft launch in multiple regions suggests that Farlight has high hopes for Ace Trainer's success.

The phrase "everything and the kitchen sink" aptly describes Ace Trainer based on the information available so far. As someone in the UK, I haven't had the chance to play it yet, but the mix of genres almost feels overwhelming. While it might make some roll their eyes, others might find the combination of popular elements exciting. The question remains whether this diverse mix can withstand long-term player engagement and scrutiny.

If you enjoy our take on the latest in gaming, don't miss out on the newest episode of the Pocket Gamer podcast, where we dive into the first news of 2025.