The common wish for an open-world Pokémon game appears to be coming true with the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Early looks at the game have given a glimpse at its Hisui region, the land that will later become known as Sinnoh. Players exploring the region will be able to do so with the aid of their team members, as three rideable Pokémon have been revealed for Pokémon Legends: Arceus so far.
Riding Pokémon isn't entirely new to the series. Players have long been able to use the Surf HM to traverse water areas on the back of a captured Pokémon, and other methods of Pokémon-powered transportation are common, such Sun and Moon's Poké Ride and the Flying Taxis in Sword and Shield. Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes place in a time before the collaborative living between humans and Pokémon, though, so the modern commodities of Pokémon travel are likely not as widespread.
The August 2021 Pokémon Presents showcase revealed new Pokémon Legends: Arceus gameplay, including clips of three rideable Pokémon. It's unclear exactly how the Pokémon riding mechanic works - and how the Pokémon are trained to accommodate a rider - but players appear to be in full control of the mounts.
Legends: Arceus' Pokémon Mounts Are All Hisui-Region Exclusives (So Far)
The reveal of rideable Pokémon doubled as the reveal of new Hisui-region Pokémon forms, including new evolutions: Hisuian Braviary, Basculegion, and Wyrdeer. The Hisuian variant of Braviary, originally a Normal/Flying type introduced in Gen 5, can carry the player character in an hang glider-like apparatus when flying. The Hisuian form has bright white plumage and a new Psychic/Flying typing.
Basculegion is a brand-new evolution for Basculin that occurs when "a Basculin is possessed by the souls of other Basculin from its school that could not withstand the harsh journey upstream." This gives the Pokémon a Water/Ghost typing. It is able to carry the player in a saddle on its back through waterways.
The final rideable Pokémon revealed so far is Wyrdeer, an evolution for Stantler in the Hisui region. Wyrdeer is much larger than its pre-evolution, and the fluffy fur of its beard, tail, and legs is "highly prized" by the people of Hisui for its "top-notch protection against the cold." Players can ride Wyrdeer like they would a horse.
The combination of all three rideable Pokémon revealed so far will let players quickly traverse Pokémon Legends: Arceus' land, sea, and air. It's unknown if other Pokémon will be able to aid in the same travel system, but more new creatures, in general, will almost certainly be revealed as the game's January 2022 release date approaches.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus will be available on Nintendo Switch on January 28, 2022.
Source: Pokémon