The game breaks away from standard Pokémon formulas by allowing players to play on the side of the villainous Team Rocket. Starting in the custom-built town of Alora, the protagonist's sibling becomes deeply entangled with the criminal syndicate and drags the player in as well. Finding that the organization is highly convincing, players must work their way up through the criminal ranks to eventually command Team Rocket, all while handling standard Gym battles and containing rogue mythical Pokémon threatening the region.