Earlier this year, the curtain was lifted, revealing Pokémon Legends: Arceus as the next major installment in the Pokémon series. Diverging from its predecessors, Pokémon Legends: Arceus promises an array of new features, including a sprawling open world reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Positioned as one of the earliest games in the series’ timeline, the narrative unfolds long before any existing official Pokémon works. Players will embark on an exploration of the vast Hisui region, crafting the inaugural Pokémon Pokédex along their journey.
Nintendo announced this game during the Pokémon Showcase event in February, one of the many festivities commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Pokémon series. The event also unveiled the remakes of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Initial reactions to Pokémon Legends were a mix of excitement and caution, with the early visuals appearing somewhat rough.
Recent images seem to confirm that the game still lacks the polish one might expect, though visuals aren’t the sole barometer of a game’s quality. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is poised to redefine the established Pokémon formula, introducing the most open world to date, where everything happens in real-time. Players will no longer be confined to separate screens for combat encounters; instead, everything unfolds seamlessly in the game world. This promises to be one of the closest experiences to becoming a Pokémon Trainer, mirroring the feel of real-time adventures.
So, when is Pokémon Legends: Arceus set to launch?
After almost an entire year since its initial announcement, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is slated for release on January 28, 2022, ushering in the new year. However, as is customary, potential delays might alter this timeline, especially considering the somewhat rudimentary visuals. Should there be no delays, fans can anticipate diving into Pokémon Legends: Arceus in the coming year.
Like all Nintendo-released games, players will be able to purchase Arceus on release day through the Nintendo Store. With the game’s January launch, two versions will be introduced. The standard pre-order version includes a steelbook version of the game and a replica of the ancient Poké Ball device used in the game. There is also a steelbook version featuring a miniature replica statue of the legendary Pokémon Arceus.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, making it the sole platform where the game will be available. However, all hope is not lost, as Nintendo might eventually release its games on PC. According to data mined from Nvidia’s Geforce Now service, Nintendo has at least tested the performance of some of its games on this streaming service.
What about new features?
As mentioned earlier, Pokémon Legends: Arceus boasts one of the most open game worlds in the series to date. While not entirely open-world, the developers confirmed it will feature a central hub similar to the Monster Hunter series. The Hisui region on the vast Wuju Continent will host several large open-world areas, making it somewhat of an open-world game. However, distinguishing itself from previous Pokémon games, Pokémon Legends may place a greater emphasis on conservation. Players will be tasked with filling their Pokédex by observing and capturing Pokémon. Combat will still play a pivotal role, but not every Pokémon will seek to engage players in battle.
Leave a Reply