The game that Pokémon fans have dreamed of seeing for decades is finally on the way, as Pokémon Legends: Arceus is an upcoming open-world RPG with exploration that is reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The Pokémon Company announced the title at a recent Pokémon Presents showcase as part of its celebration of the 25th anniversary of the series.
The biggest announcements of the Pokémon Presents showcase were leaked shortly before the show started, but only a small glimpse of was going to drop was given beforehand. It was confirmed that remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl were on the way, as well as a mysterious open-world game that was set in the Sinnoh region.
The Pokémon series is taking a huge leap next year, as it was announced during the Pokémon Presents showcase that Pokémon Legends: Arceus will be released for the Nintendo Switch in 2022. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is an open-world RPG that is set in an ancient version of the Sinnoh region. The vast open world is reminiscent of the one seen in Breath of the Wild, except that it uses the turn-based battles from the Pokémon series. Mythical Pokémon Arceus will have a major role in the story, and the goal of the player is to create the first Pokédex ever seen in the Sinnoh region.
The main character of Pokémon Legends: Arceus has arrived in one of the few villages in the Sinnoh region alongside a Pokémon Professor. The player will be able to choose between three starter Pokémon from different generations: Cyndaquil from Pokémon Gold and Silver, Oshawatt from Pokémon Black and White, and Rowlett from Pokémon Sun and Moon. It's possible to battle wild Pokémon, but players can also attempt to sneak up on them and catch them. It was initially reported that the gameplay style in Pokémon Legends: Arceus was similar to that of Pokémon Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee games, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
The Sinnoh region will be seeing a lot of attention over the coming year, as Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were also announced during the Pokémon Presents event. A lot of people expected those games to be revealed, but few people expected an open-world prequel to the events of the entire series. Pokémon fans have wanted a game like Pokémon Legends: Arceus for years now, as it can finally offer the true Pokémon trainer experience that everyone glimpsed in the Wild Areas of the Galar region.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus will be released for Nintendo Switch in 2022.