Pokémon Legends: Arceus reimagines the linear gameplay of previous titles with stunning open-world-inspired exploration and player-driven progression. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, Pokémon Legends: Arceus highlights the strengths of the OLED Nintendo Switch while updating Pokémon gameplay with modern RPG mechanics. However, Pokémon Legends: Arceus doesn't just innovate gameplay, but revitalizes the importance of the trainer's journey and the bond between a player and their team.
While past Pokémon titles stick closely to a set of narrative devices, Pokémon Legends: Arceus immediately shakes things up. As the main character, a young Galaxy Team member of the Hisui region, players team up with Professor Laventon to carry out missions for Commander Kamado and Captain Cyllene. These missions include scouting expansive wild locations for Pokémon species to fill the first Pokédex, as well as assisting the Diamond and Pearl clans as they deal with frenzied Lord and Lady Pokémon. Each character encountered has a special and interesting story, creating a deep sense of satisfaction when accomplishing objectives throughout the narrative.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus has a delightful and clean art style that is a dramatic difference from older Pokémon titles. The areas players can explore are detailed, with textures on grass, rocks, and water that blend stylized graphics with atmospheric immersion. This is particularly noticeable regarding Pokémon spawning in the overworld. Models have numerous animations, from bouncing around and playing to curled up and snoozing. The Pokémon models also emote, showing irritation, fear, or excitement, adding personality to the different reactions they can display when encountering a trainer in the wild. However, there are issues with animations when the Pokémon are a good distance from the trainer. This can cause frame rate drops that make movements appear choppy and inorganic, which can be startling against the detailed environments they appear in.
One of the biggest improvements presented in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the catch mechanics. In recent titles like Pokémon Sword and Shield, grinding through turn-based battle sequences for Pokémon encounters in the Wild Area can be frustrating and monotonous. However, the Pokémon GO style of battle-free catching in Pokémon Let's Go Eevee and Pikachu feels oversimplified. Pokémon Legends: Arceus captures the best of both game styles by allowing players to fling Poké Balls without engaging in a separate battle screen, as well as jumping into battle. As long as the Pokémon is overly aggressive, or is attacked while the player is out of sight, there is an opportunity to quickly nab a species needed for a Pokédex entry. The new feature greatly speeds up exploration and boosts immersion, making hunting Pokémon a more enjoyable experience.
Battle sequences have also been sped up in Pokémon Legends: Arceus thanks to the "Agile" and "Strong" style moves, as well as changes in attack effectiveness. However, the use of Agile and Strong-style move sets can occasionally be frustrating and feel unintuitive due to awkward timing. Choosing a "Strong" move deals more damage at the cost of speed, while an "Agile" move can allow a player to select a hit twice in a row at the cost of attack power. A player's opponent can also use these moves, creating a frustrating and unpredictable flow in the battle process. Because previous games had a steady and predictable turn-based system, some may find the new battle methods chaotic, impacting the ability to make strong strategy choices.
The use of ride Pokémon like Basculegion and Wyrdeer in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is both enjoyable and intuitive when exploring the Hisui region. While walking around on foot is not a chore thanks to the number of areas that players can explore, the ability to ride a Pokémon both speeds up travel and offers new ways for players to tackle map locations. Rideable Pokémon can be summoned using the "Plus" button on the Nintendo Switch, transferring players seamlessly onto the Pokémon without a cumbersome cutscene or the need to open a menu and select an item. Wyrdeer not only travels distances quickly but can scale difficult terrain, while Basculegion can surf at great speeds and leap into the air.
The only setback for rideable Pokémon is the restrictions of item and Poké Ball throwing. While players can throw Poké Balls when surfing on Basculegion, this feature isn't available while using other rideable Pokémon. Instead, players must first dismount, and then pull out needed items, creating an awkward juggle when a rare Pokémon pops up. Additionally, aiming and throwing Poké Balls on the back of Basculegion is tricky and frustrating compared to catches on land, requiring players to adjust throws to for a Pokémon's location under the water, and where they might move to. Because of this, it can be easier to dismount Basculegion on an island or outcropping to get better aim.
Players who enjoy solid crafting systems will find Pokémon Legends: Arceus' use of foraging and crafting systems well balanced. From early in the game, the ability to craft both at Base Camps and from a crafting kit in the inventory offers seamless and imperative access to item crafting. Players can make Poké Balls, Potions, Revives, and many other important tools as they forage items across the map that is being explored. There is also no shortage of items, with fruit-bearing trees dropping Apricorns, Berries, and the occasional Burmy, as well as plenty of crystal nodes and harvestable flora and fauna. The constant supply allows players to spend long periods of time exploring, negating the tedious need to stop by a merchant or return to town.
While many elements of Pokémon Legends: Arceus stray away from the gameplay and mechanics familiar to long-time fans of the Pokémon games, the changes made both embrace the capabilities of modern consoles like the Nintendo Switch, and breathe new life into aging series staples. Fans of RPG titles will likely enjoy the depth of exploration offered in the Hisui region, while those who enjoy the Pokémon games will have the opportunity to have a brand new journey alongside their Pokémon companions. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the perfect entry point for those who have never played a Pokémon game, while also being a great way for long-time fans to embrace new challenges. The game does an excellent job of pushing boundaries while staying true to what has kept Pokémon popular for over two decades and is an eye-opening glimpse at what Game Freak could do in future games of the series.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus releases for the Nintendo Switch on January 28, 2022. Screen Rant was provided with a Nintendo Switch code for the purpose of this review.
