After 26 years, we have finally reached the point that many Pokemon fans have wanted for so long: a true, fully 3D, open world Pokemon game. This is the most interesting entry to the Pokemon franchise yet, because it isn't the next generation, but it isn't a spinoff game, either. Legends: Arceus is a prequel to the entire franchise up to Gen 8, and despite its many changes it it still features the classic Pokemon elements you've grown familiar with. Do these new features fare well for the series though? Spoilers: ABSOLUTELY.
Legends: Arceus takes Pokemon back to the basics, which is just catching Pokemon. "Gotta catch 'em all", as it were, and gotta catch 'em all, indeed because catching Pokemon in this game is fun in and of itself. The way you catch every individual Pokemon is unique, to the point you're developing strategies on how to do so. You don't even have to engage in battle if you're good enough, and it's honestly much more satisfying to catch a Pokemon with a sneakily thrown Poke Ball. That being said, battles in this game are great. I like the Agile/Strong mechanic a lot (even if sometimes it feels like it doesn't work right). But for me, the stand out moments are the boss fights, yes, BOSS FIGHTS. Not once did I think I'd even call a Pokemon fight a "Boss" but here we are. The second I saw a screen essentially telling me to utilize the i-frames during a dodge roll, I knew this game was something special.
I actually like the art direction for this game too. Models have an almost cel-shaded look to them, and the faded colors make for a very nice vibe. I think this game has my new favorite gimmick as well, and that's Alpha Pokemon. In addition to having the same types of Pokemon be different sizes, Alpha Pokemon are gigantic, super strong forms of Pokemon with glowing red eyes, distorted cries, and just being around them makes the music shift into into a tense theme. Something this game wants you to remember is the second half of Pokemon is "monster", and in addition to everyone in-game being scared of these creatures, it really drives the point home the power they hold.
The story is fine, it's pretty much your standard Pokemon stuff, but one thing that really stood out to me was the side quests. As said before, everyone in town is really scared of Pokemon, but they're still curious as to a lot of things about them. Catching Pokemon and showing them to people or helping them out with a pesky problem that is unknowingly caused by a Pokemon helps them realize they aren't so scary, and they even welcome them into their homes afterwards. That community building is the sort of stuff I love, especially with Pokemon.
On top of everything, there are so many litte quality of life changes that the entire franchise has been needing. Being able to rename your Pokemon without seeking out a Name Rater, being able to evolve your Pokemon when you want instead of being thrust into an evolution screen, being able to BRING BACK OLD MOVES, stuff that should have been in Pokemon for years. I really hope that Legends either becomes a series or they adapt the things they did from Legends into the mainline games.
Legends: Arceus takes Pokemon back to the basics, which is just catching Pokemon. "Gotta catch 'em all", as it were, and gotta catch 'em all, indeed because catching Pokemon in this game is fun in and of itself. The way you catch every individual Pokemon is unique, to the point you're developing strategies on how to do so. You don't even have to engage in battle if you're good enough, and it's honestly much more satisfying to catch a Pokemon with a sneakily thrown Poke Ball. That being said, battles in this game are great. I like the Agile/Strong mechanic a lot (even if sometimes it feels like it doesn't work right). But for me, the stand out moments are the boss fights, yes, BOSS FIGHTS. Not once did I think I'd even call a Pokemon fight a "Boss" but here we are. The second I saw a screen essentially telling me to utilize the i-frames during a dodge roll, I knew this game was something special.
I actually like the art direction for this game too. Models have an almost cel-shaded look to them, and the faded colors make for a very nice vibe. I think this game has my new favorite gimmick as well, and that's Alpha Pokemon. In addition to having the same types of Pokemon be different sizes, Alpha Pokemon are gigantic, super strong forms of Pokemon with glowing red eyes, distorted cries, and just being around them makes the music shift into into a tense theme. Something this game wants you to remember is the second half of Pokemon is "monster", and in addition to everyone in-game being scared of these creatures, it really drives the point home the power they hold.
The story is fine, it's pretty much your standard Pokemon stuff, but one thing that really stood out to me was the side quests. As said before, everyone in town is really scared of Pokemon, but they're still curious as to a lot of things about them. Catching Pokemon and showing them to people or helping them out with a pesky problem that is unknowingly caused by a Pokemon helps them realize they aren't so scary, and they even welcome them into their homes afterwards. That community building is the sort of stuff I love, especially with Pokemon.
On top of everything, there are so many litte quality of life changes that the entire franchise has been needing. Being able to rename your Pokemon without seeking out a Name Rater, being able to evolve your Pokemon when you want instead of being thrust into an evolution screen, being able to BRING BACK OLD MOVES, stuff that should have been in Pokemon for years. I really hope that Legends either becomes a series or they adapt the things they did from Legends into the mainline games.