As the launch day for Pokémon Legends: Arceus draws near, a new trailer shows off more features of the game, including real-time battles. Previous footage has already proven that the newest Pokémon game will have some huge changes for the series, and this latest trailer serves to fan those flames. It’s clear that Pokémon fans are in for something pretty different with the newest entry in the 25-year-old series.
Since its initial announcement back in February 2021 as part of the Pokémon 25th Anniversary celebration, Pokémon Legends: Arceus has stood out from previous Pokémon games. By now, fans are familiar with the series staples of turn-based battles against trainers, gym leaders, and the Elite Four in the quest to become the very best. While Pokémon Sun and Moon did attempt to switch things up a bit by utilizing the “island challenge” system in lieu of traditional gyms, by and large, the Pokémon games have followed a typical formula. But official footage and leaks suggest that Pokémon Legends: Arceus will shake things up in big ways, with the potential for new gameplay mechanics and lore changes that fundamentally change the way fans see Pokémon.
The newest trailer from Nintendo offers more glimpses of the gameplay, including a modified version of the game’s turn-based battles that looks to have them happening in real-time. It seems to be a combination of the Wild Area from Sword and Shield where players could encounter—and be chased by—wild Pokémon in the overworld and the turn-based battling that has heretofore always occurred on its own screen separate from the overworld. So, while the battles themselves may still involve taking turns, this trailer makes it look like there won’t be the usual interstitial black screen leading into the battles, and that battles will be a more organic process that gamers can kind of just stumble upon. An earlier leaked trailer confirmed the presence of airborne Pokémon capture as well, so gamers will have a variety of options for adding Pokémon to their collection.
This trailer also emphasizes what’s already been seen about Pokémon directly attacking the player outside of formal battles, as well as placing particular importance on the need to collect materials and craft items. It’s unclear from the trailer what exact gamers will be crafting, but given that Pokémon Gold and Silver included an Apricorn system for crafting different types of Pokéballs, it’s reasonable to assume that crafted balls will be making a reappearance in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The trailer also mentions that fans will be building the first Pokédex for the Hisui region—itself a precursor to Gen Four’s Sinnoh region—so it seems clear that Pokémon Legends: Arceus is tackling uncharted territory.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus may be launching soon, but more and more info keeps coming out about what exactly the game contains. Recently, a full list of Hisuian Pokémon and types leaked, so fans are already uncovering the game’s mysteries. There seems to be plenty more to discover, though. Hopefully Pokémon Legends: Arceus lives up to what are, at this point, pretty lofty expectations.
Source: Nintendo/YouTube