TLDR: The Game is really good. The systems work great and its a world you can get lost in and play for a very long time. It's the Pokémon game I have been hoping for.
This review is going to be a bit long so hold on.
1. Open world! Pokémon has been in need on an open world type game for a very long time. The areas feel alive and fun to explore as you go walk around. If you are anything like me exploring has always been a large part of the Pokémon games and this game lets you explore and find fun things and Pokémon wherever you go. It is broken up into several main areas. I understand that they did this to help streamline the story better but, I think they could have gotten away with just letting the player have one big open world. That might just might be my preference though. The Pokémon all around make the world feel alive and exciting. Plus, lots of things to pick up for crafting and using in the open world. Plus plenty of secrets to find lying around. Including Unown and weird will-o'-wisps hiding is various places.
2. Mechanics! We have some brand new mechanics.
- The core mechanic in the game is throwing things. You throw things to catch Pokémon, you throw things to battle Pokémon, you throw things to lure/distract Pokémon. Lots of throwing. But, it is interesting and complex enough that it feels good. Lots of things that you need to do can all be wrapped up nicely into one mechanic so it's not too complicated to learn how to play.
- Lots of the mechanics that got in your face in old games have become a lot less intrusive. For example the whole game doesn't pause when you catch a new Pokémon to ask you if you want to give it a nickname or when one of you Pokémon are ready to evolve. This means that you get to focus on what you are doing in the open world. The downside of this is that you have to go into the menu to give nicknames or evolve your Pokémon.
- Locomotion is great and varied. To put it simple, it's fun to move around in the game. Even if you aren't doing anything else walking or swimming or flying across the map is fun. Personally the sneaking is really slow but its not annoying enough to be bad.
- Pokémon battles are cool and more complex than previous game titles. I won't get too much into it, but I think the battle mechanics are really well thought out, fun and interesting. My biggest complaint of the game is that there aren't any random trainers wandering around the open world map that want to challenge you!
- Nobel Pokémon. The bosses of the game are cool. They also use the core throwing mechanic as a way to make the boss fights different from regular battles. I think they are cool parts of the game that do well to make each battle memorable and fun. They are not my favorite part of the games though.
-New online mechanics. When you black out in this game you drop items that other players can pick up in their game to return them to you.
3. Story. I don't want to give a big breakdown of the story here as I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I think it is one of the best stories Pokémon has had in a long time. It's not a masterpiece, but it is better than what is expected for Pokémon most of the time.
4. Graphics. I think it's a good thing that I have mostly seen people compare this game's graphics to Breath of the Wild instead of other Pokémon games. It means that the games are moving forward. The graphics are just okay when compared to other games, but they are the best graphics I have seen in a Pokémon Game. So, progress!
5. Sound Design. Personally, I love the sound design for this game. It feels great. I don't have the expertise to give it a full analysis but it feels great and the music sounds good!
6. Side quests! There are so many side quests and most of them feel pretty good. Lots of fetch quests though. Overall they are a good addition to the game and help make the world feel alive.
7. Things that could be improved. Now, remember that even if you love a piece of media you can always find things that you don't like.
- Trainers. So, as I said earlier. I would love to see trainers that challenge you to battles just hanging out in the wild.
- Gyms + elite four. While the Nobel Pokémon were a cool thing to replace gyms as Boss fights I would have loved to see Gyms still in the game. Same with the elite four. I just want more reason to have battles in this game.
- Why is the save menu in the bag? I think online and save functions would make more sense with the Map in the "Phone" menu. I keep pressing the wrong menu to save.
- This game is for slightly older kids. This is not really a bad thing, but it could be for some people. It will be hard for younger kids to play compared to older Pokémon games. (Although my young kid still loves it.)
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From the manufacturer
Action meets RPG as the Pokémon series reaches a new frontier
Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old
Your adventure takes place in the expansive natural majesty of the Hisui region, where you are tasked with embarking on survey missions and studying Pokémon. After receiving an assignment or a request and preparing for your next excursion, you'll set out from Jubilife Village to study one of the various areas of the Hisui region.
Mount Coronet rises from the center, surrounded on all sides by areas with distinct environments.
Build the Hisui region's first Pokédex
Study Pokémon in the Hisui region to complete the region’s first Pokédex. Explore natural expanses to catch wild Pokémon by learning their behavior, sneaking up, and throwing a well-aimed Poké Ball. You can also toss the Poké Ball containing your ally Pokémon near a wild Pokémon to seamlessly enter battle.
Choose either Cyndaquil, Rowlet, or Oshawott as your first partner Pokémon.
As the protagonist, you'll meet Professor Laventon, who studies the ecology of Pokémon as a member of the Galaxy Expedition Team. Before long, you'll join the Galaxy Team yourself and get to work as a member of the Survey Corps. Your goal will be to meet every species of Pokémon in the region!
Uncover the mystery surrounding Arceus
Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale.
Videos
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Videos for this product
2:10
Click to play video
Pokemon Legends: Arceus - Announcement Trailer
Nintendo of America
Videos for this product
1:36
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Pokemon Legends Arceus, but Is It Any Good?
jesse cooney
Videos for this product
0:31
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Pokemon Legends Arceus (Nintendo Switch)
DenisReviews
Videos for this product
1:13
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1 MINUTE REVIEW - Pokemon Legends Arceus Nintendo Switch
Tech By Leon
Videos for this product
9:01
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Gameplay! Pokemon Legends Arceus Nintendo Switch
❤️ T Heslop
Videos for this product
0:52
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Video:Pokemon Legends: Arceus - Nintendo Switch
Scotts Honest Reviews
Videos for this product
1:22
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Pokemon Arceus Gameplay - Honest review from fan lets play
Jacob Knowles
Reviews with images
Non-US case, but no big deal
As another review from February 2023 states, this product comes in the Middle East / Southeast Asia case; the region stamp is visible on the lower left of the reverse (second image). However, the actual cartridge appears to be the US version (fourth image). From what I can find online, this is standard practice for this particular region and the cartridge is functionally a US version. However, I am deducting one star for the clearly deceptive marketing, as the product images do not show the Middle East / Southeast Asia case.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2022
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ArceusVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2023
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ArceusVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2023
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ArceusVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ArceusVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Esaul
Excelente👌🏼
Reviewed in Mexico on April 19, 2024Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ArceusVerified Purchase
Esaul
Reviewed in Mexico on April 19, 2024
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TIAGO JUNIO PEREIRA FERREIRA
Incrível.
Reviewed in Brazil on February 4, 2024Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ArceusVerified Purchase
Kate James
Pokemon Arceus
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2022Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ArceusVerified Purchase
Saswata Mitra
OG Pokemon Player Making a Comeback!
Reviewed in India on August 30, 2022Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ArceusVerified Purchase
Saswata Mitra
Reviewed in India on August 30, 2022
I loosely followed the games and their regions over the years but when I heard of Legends Arceus I really wanted to get back into the franchise, and 6 months after the game launching, I finally bought the Switch and the Pokemon Legends Arceus was the first game I got.
This game is a MASSIVE shift from the general dogma of Pokemon games. It's Open World and doesn't focus on the things generally Pokemon games want you to do. I'm not going to leave spoilers incase you're considering buying it and you should buy it, it's just that great. A lot of aspects have been taken from Zelda BOTW. The graphics are great and story is somewhat made for mature audiences, I genuinely felt the story could only be truly understood by a mature adult (you'll know what I'm talking abut if you play it). It's interesting, really fun and intuitive. It's kind of warming to know you can feel an authentic bonds with the Pokemon you raise and can fully interact with them in ways the past games would never let you. 10/10 recommend.
EDIT: I played the game for over 100 hours at this point, after my previous initial impressions. Here are some few other stuff I'd like to say.
The graphics are strictly fine. Coming from the biggest franchise in the world, it should be way way better. There are some areas which are really choppy and feel like the game is running on 10 FPS or less, lol.
Coming to the gameplay aspects, it's really really fun. Where it's lacking is the AI of the Pokemon themselves. I mean they're just there in the overworld, hanging and mucking about doing nothing. No interaction with the environment and each other. You will occasionally find some Pokemon sleeping here and there, and doing unique stuff which kind of excites you but should've been more appealing.
I just completed the living Pokedex, and it was a grind. it was a HUGE grind, but I enjoyed a lot of it. One tip I can give is, finish the respective Pokedex entries till level 10 of each area, it will take time to clear an area but it'll be more fun too. After which shiny hunting got a lot easier. If you enjoy gathering and switching Pokemon and the free to roam aspect in Pokemon, it's a must get. It's a snappy game.
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piermario
un Pokemon diverso
Reviewed in Italy on June 19, 2022Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: ArceusVerified Purchase
