Pokémon Legends: Arceus has only been out for two weeks, but some fans are already deeming it the best Pokémon game from the Switch era and arguably, one of the best in the franchise. Thanks to a complete overhaul of the traditional formula, Legends: Arceus provides a real challenge for veteran fans while still acting as an irresistible hook for first-time players.
Indeed, the game introduces many new mechanics, which, coupled with some daring narrative and stylistic choices, provide a fresh take on Pokémon. And while Legends: Arceus isn't perfect by any means, it still marks a decisive improvement upon some of the franchise's most recent entries.
A Focus On Lore And Worldbuilding
Mythical and Legendary Pokémon have some of the richest lore in the franchise. They are some of the biggest selling points in any new game, and their origin and vast powers usually are behind some of the story's most crucial moments. However, despite the massive opportunities that the Pokémon world presents, almost all the lore goes into the Pokémon and not the region itself.
That all changes with Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The game's very nature means that the characters are actively living the story of the Pokémon world, writing it even. Worldbuilding takes center stage as players construct a rich narrative that bridges many gaps between Hisui and Sinnoh.
Prehistoric Forms
Regional forms are one of the franchise's most inspired choices in recent years. They are the perfect way to revitalize old or forgettable mons and reintroduce them to the ever-evolving franchise. However, Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced yet another brilliant gimmick with prehistoric forms.
Pokémon like Basculegion or Kleavor represent an entirely new class of mons, allowing designers to step outside their comfort zones and focus more on the "monster" than the "pocket." Furthermore, these prehistoric Pokémon further expand the franchise's lore; fossil Pokémon have always been a thing, but experiencing them in their natural habitat at the prime of their lives is a new and incredibly promising angle.
Free Exploration
Upon Legends: Arceus' debut, fans around the world relished and celebrated under one single chant: "no more hand-holding!" The game includes a sprawling open world, and players are welcome to investigate it as they see fit. Sure, they can follow the NPCs instructions and fight the Noble Pokémon to get to the next area, but they can also take their time before advancing the plot and spend hours exploring every corner of Hisui.
Like the best open-world RPGs, Pokémon Legends: Arceus offers a massive world full of items, easter eggs, tasks, and, of course, Pokémon. Fans on Twitter enjoy sharing experiences of stumbling upon shinies while exploring or fighting the dangerously wild Pokémon that appear in the space-time distortions. All this chatter contributes to keeping the franchise alive and more relevant than ever, all under an undeniable air of positivity.
Difficult Boss Battles
The most memorable boss battles in the mainline Pokémon games occurred during the first four generations.
Luckily, Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduces a bunch of incredibly challenging bosses that will have even the most experienced players sweating. Noble Pokémon like Arcanine and Voltorb and opponents like Volo and Commander Kamado stand as some of the most difficult battles in any Pokémon game. The pièce de résistance, of course, is the titular mon, the Pokémon god himself, Arceus, whose battle is one that players won't soon forget.
Pokémon In The Overworld
Pokémon: Let's Go introduced Pokémon in the overworld, finally bringing a crucial element to the games. Players loved seeing their favorite mons running around tall grass or flying in the skies above. The choice also enhanced the gaming experience by making the world more inviting and engrossing.
Legends: Arceus ups the ante and creates a world where Pokémon dominate, not humans. The main characters are literal trespassers, invading an untouched territory that belongs entirely to Pokémon. It's a fascinating new approach that adds yet another layer to the franchise, taking it to a more mature space while still opening new and exciting possibilities.
Reconquering Veteran Players' Hearts
Long-time Pokémon players are feeling like children again when playing Legends: Arceus. It's not just the franchise's new direction or the new and surprisingly challenging battling mechanics; it's not only the boss battles or the prospect for quite literally catching them all.
What Pokémon Legends: Arceus is so effectively doing is recapturing a sense of awe that many veteran players lost along the way. Like the scene in Ratatouille where Ego goes back to his childhood when tasting Remy's food, Legends: Arceus is proving that the twenty-six-year-old franchise can still surprise its loyal followers, delivering the same hype and marvel it did when it first came out in 1996. Not every IP can achieve this, but then again, Pokémon has always been one-of-a-kind.
Stylistic Choices
For the longest time, Pokémon games had a trademark visual style. Things changed with the move to 3D starting in Generation VI, marking one of the franchise's first steps to modernization. By the time the Switch entries arrived, fans were in agreement that there was no logical reason for Pokémon to still cling to outdated visual styles, especially considering the Switch's capabilities.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus features a new and bold visual style reminiscent of Breath of the Wild. It's nowhere near as polished as that game's visuals, but it's a step in the right direction and the ultimate proof that Game Freak is actively exploring new alternatives to present future games in the series.
Daring Narrative Changes
Previous Pokémon games followed a very firm and familiar structure that didn't allow much room for experimentation. The Gym System grabbed the players' hands and didn't let go, taking them through the usual situations expected from the franchise. As previously mentioned, much of the lore went to the Pokémon, and the story mainly focused on defeating the evil team, capturing the box-art legendary, and becoming the Champion.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus keeps some of these familiar beats but introduces a slew of dramatic narrative changes that provide a refreshing story arc. There's time-traveling, a mysterious hole in the sky, and a deity working from behind the scenes, seemingly manipulating every event. The story is imperfect but ambitious, something that fans actively welcome. And while not everything about it works, there's no denying that Legends: Arceus is the best Pokémon game in a long time.