What genre is Pokémon Pokopia officially described as?

Pokémon Pokopia is officially described as a social simulation game.

Its core loop centers on building, crafting, gardening, exploration, and friendship with Pokémon. Players restore damaged environments and create habitats that encourage different Pokémon to appear and settle in the area.

Pokopia also includes sandbox elements, so players have substantial freedom in shaping their surroundings. However, “sandbox” describes an important design feature, while “social simulation” is the genre label used in the game's published information.

The game differs from the main Pokémon role-playing games because battling and collecting are not its primary structure. Its emphasis is on creating a shared home, fulfilling requests, learning useful moves, and improving the world around the player.