POKEMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS
Release Date: January 28, 2022 (Worldwide)
Game System: Nintendo Switch
Serebii.net links: [ Game Information | Pre-release Screenshots | Trailers ]
Official Websites: [ English | Japanese ]
GENERAL INFORMATION
STORY, SETTING & CHARACTERS
MECHANICS & GAMEPLAY FEATURES
ONLINE FEATURES & CONNECTIVITY
Release Date: January 28, 2022 (Worldwide)
Game System: Nintendo Switch
Serebii.net links: [ Game Information | Pre-release Screenshots | Trailers ]
Official Websites: [ English | Japanese ]
GENERAL INFORMATION
- This is a completely new game with a bold new direction and gameplay style.
- This game is developed by GAME FREAK inc.
STORY, SETTING & CHARACTERS
- Set in the Hisui Region (presently known as Sinnoh), in an age when it was rare for people and Pokémon to live in close harmony.
- The region is divided into several distinct areas, each with its own natural features and Pokemon ecosystem.
- Mt. Coronet rises in the very center.
- One area is called Obsidian Fieldlands, which is a meadow and a forest area.
- Other areas include a coast, marsh, snowy mountains, and a volcanic island.
- Jubilife Village is the base of operations for the Galaxy Expedition Team.
- The team includes various corps, such as the Medical Corps, Security Corps, and Survey Corps.
- The village will serve as your base for surveying missions. This is where you get your assignments.
- There are also various services such as the trading post, where you can trade Pokemon with other players.
- Embark on an adventure to create the region's first Pokedex, and see how Arceus holds the key to this tale.
- You play either as Akari or Rei. The character you didn't choose will be your fellow team member.
- These are some of the other characters you meet on your adventure:
- Professor Laventon conducts research into Pokemon’s modes of life. He aims to create a complete Pokedex.
- Commander Kamado is the boss of the Galaxy Team. Ancestor of Professor Rowan.
- Captain Cyllene is the leader of the Galaxy Team’s Survey Corps.
- The Hisui region is also home to two clans: Diamond Clan and Pearl Clan. Each clan have wardens, who look after the noble Pokemon and other special Pokemon. They offer the Pokemon protection and food.
- Adaman is the leader of the Diamond Clan, and has Leafeon as his partner. Other members include:
- Mai is Wyrdeer's warden
- Iscan is Basculegion's Warden
- Arezu is a certain lady Pokemon's Warden
- Irida is the leader of the Pearl Clan, and has Glaceon as his partner. Other members include:
- Lian is Kleavor's Warden, and is a member of the Pearl Clan.
- Adaman is the leader of the Diamond Clan, and has Leafeon as his partner. Other members include:
- Along the way you'll meet the Ginkgo Guildmerchants who ply their wares as they travel the region.
- Ginter is the head of the guild.
- Volor is one of the guild's merchants.
- Rather than the Gen 4 starters, the starters are: Rowlet, Cyndaquil and Oshawott.
- New Pokemon have been introduced:
- Wyrdeer (Normal/Psychic) - Stantler's evolution; can be ridden to traverse land
- Basculegion (Water/Ghost) - Basculin's evolution; can be ridden to traverse waters
- Kleavor (Bug/Rock) - Scyther's evolution
- New regional variants have been introduced:
- Hisuian Decidueye
- Hisuian Typhlosion
- Hisuian Samurott
- Hisuian Braviary (Psychic/Flying) - can be ridden for air travel
- Hisuian Growlithe (Fire/Rock)
- Hisuian Zorua (Normal/Ghost)
- Hisuian Zoroark (Normal/Ghost)
- Hisuian Voltorb (Electric/Grass)
MECHANICS & GAMEPLAY FEATURES
- The game utilizes full-scale models of characters and Pokemon in an open-world setting.
- Catching and battling wild Pokemon are now done seamlessly.
- You can initiate a battle with a wild Pokemon once you throw a Pokeball with your Pokemon in it. Or you can just throw your Pokeball directly to the wild Pokemon in the overworld to catch it.
- You can use Smoke Bombs to prevent wild Pokemon from noticing you.
- Use Heavy Balls to catch Pokemon that haven't noticed you. It can't be thrown far though.
- If a Pokemon is in an alert state, you have to battle it first. All Poke Balls will bounce off if you attempt to catch it beforehand.
- In battle, Pokemon moves can be unleashed in two ways:
- Agile Style - raises the user’s action speed, but lowers the move’s power.
- Strong Style - raises the move’s power, but your Pokemon's action speed decreases.
- The battle system still utilizes PP and types.
- Certain Pokemon can only be found during the day or night.
- Some Pokemon can be found up in trees or in rock crevices.
- You can fully control the camera during battles.
- You can freely move about during battles.
- You can initiate a battle with a wild Pokemon once you throw a Pokeball with your Pokemon in it. Or you can just throw your Pokeball directly to the wild Pokemon in the overworld to catch it.
- Noble Pokemon are special Pokemon that have received a special blessing and are usually much more powerful.
- Frenzied Noble Pokemon
- During the story, you will encounter frenzied Noble Pokemon. To calm them, you have to hit them with a Balm made from their favorite food in addition to weakening them in a battle.
- Once defeated, they will be temporarily dazed allowing you to throw more balm.
- Frenzied Noble Pokemon
- Alpha Pokemon are Pokemon you might encounter that are larger than normal and have red glowing eyes.
- They are tougher but they can be caught, and at times, drops rare items when defeated.
- Your primary task is to complete the PokeDex.
- Add information to your PokeDex by catching Pokemon and completing research tasks for each Pokemon.
- After each mission, you will get points for how much you've done in your PokeDex. As your points go up, your Research Level will go up.
- By raising your rank as a Galaxy Team member, you are granted access to new areas.
- Base Camps or survey outposts are scattered around the region. You can stop by to rest or craft items.
- As you explore, you will collect various materials which you can use to craft.
- Combine items to make new ones. For example, combining an Apricorn and a Tumblestone will produce a Poke Ball.
- You can craft items using the workbenches found at Base camps and in Jubilife Village.
- Materials can be gathered from various rock deposits and trees. You can also use Pokemon to gather resources from these.
- For a list of new items introduced in the game, go here.
- During your adventure, you’ll receive a Celestica Flute, that you can play to summon special Pokemon you can ride.
- Early on in your adventure, you’ll receive a device called the Arc Phone designed similarly to Arceus. This device appears to contain some sort of strange power, and it seems it will help guide you on your journey.
- Jubilife Village is home to many facilities:
- Clothier - buy clothes and customize your character
- Photography Studio - take pictures with your Pokemon
- General Store - buy a variety of items such as crafting recipes and materials
- Pasture - other Pokemon you caught can be found here; technically works as the PC Box
- Trade Post - allows for you to trade Pokemon as well as trade Merit Points for Items
ONLINE FEATURES & CONNECTIVITY
- Players can receive special bonus by having save data from other Pokemon games:
- Shaymin (Land Forme) and a Shaymin Kimono set (Sword/Shield)
- A research request involving Darkrai and a Modern Team Galactic Set (Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl)
- Pikachu- and Eevee-Themed Masks (Let's GO Pikachu/Eevee)
- Players can receive these early purchase bonuses via Mystery Gift if you buy the game between January 28, 2022 and May 9, 2022.
- Hisuian Growlithe Kimono Set
- Hisuian Zoroark Baneful Mask
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