Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Welcome to the World of Pokémon!
In this article we are introducing the latest addition to the Pokémon universe: Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It was first announced at the 25th Anniversary of Pokémon alongside with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a semi-open world action role-playing game which was developed by Game Freak for the Nintendo Switch and was published on January 28th. It serves as a prequel to Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum. Furthermore, it is the first main Pokémon game that leads back into the past and the mysterious Pokémon Arceus will play a significant role.
Where in the World are We?
The story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, takes place many, many years before the idea of a Pokémon trainer and the Pokémon League was even thought of. You start out in the lands of Hisui, which later down the road will become known as the Sinnoh region, after Arceus drops you from the sky.
You can notice some landmarks right off the back if you have played previous games like Diamond and Pearl. One of the landmarks in the game is Mt. Coronet, which if you do not know is what Arceus used to create Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.
Characters, Clans, Guilds
In the beginning one has the option to choose one of the main characters. As the protagonist of the game, you will be joining the Galaxy Team as part of the Survey Corps. Your goal is to catch and collect data on every Pokémon of the Hisui region to complete the first-ever Pokédex. Depending on the choice of the main protagonist you will meet either Akari or Rei as your fellow team member in the Survey Corps.
There are two different clans in the Hisui region – the diamond clan and the pearl clan. Both clans have special designed clothes to represent special Pokémon.
Adaman (left) is the leader of the diamond clan and his partner Pokémon is a Leafeon. He often rushes things without thinking of consequences as he despises worrying too much and seeing time go to waste.
Irida (right) is the leader of the pearl clan and she is accompanied by her partner Pokémon Glaceon. She believes that having courage is most important.
While travelling through the region you often meet merchants from the Ginko Guild. The head of the Guild is Ginko (left) who keeps the guild together through his strong leadership. Furthermore he is selling rare items.
Volo (right) is one of the merchants who will often cross your path. He is very curious when it comes to special items as well as unusual people.
Starter Pokémon and Battle Mechanics
As in previous games there are different companions to choose for a starter Pokémon for the adventure. This time you can choose between Rowlet, Cyndaquil and Oshawott. It has been reported that their final evolutions are different due to evolving in the Hisui region. So choose wisely!
Your newest friend will also help you out during Pokémon battles. After throwning a Pokéball with your own Pokémon at a wild Pokémon a battle will begin. Unlike in previous editions there is no battle specific screen. The stats of the Pokémon will determine how many actions a Pokémon gets to take and in what order. It may happen that the same Pokémon gets to take multiple turns in a row.
A special challenge are the so-called Alpha Pokémon. They are taller than the average and will start chasing you down. You can recognize them by their glowing red eyes. But if you manage to capture an Alpha they will be great allies in battle and they may also drop some rare items when defeated.
New Hisui Forms and Pokédex
The Pokédex of the Hisui region includes a total of 242 Pokémon. Most of them appeared previously in the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl version. In order to complete the entire Pokédex you will also have to take on special missions to discover and catch them all.
A great addtion are the new Hisui Forms. Some of the Pokémon found in the Hisui region appear in a different form and with a different type. An example of the new forms of Kleavor and Growlithe can be found below.
Noble Pokémon
During the journey you will find Pokémon with mysterious powers – the so-called noble Pokémon. Some are praised for being extremely powerful while others assist the people of the Hisui region. Each noble Pokémon has a warden who serves them. The wardens provide food and water and make sure the territories of the noble Pokémon are protected.
However, noble Pokémon can suddenly fly into a frenzy. You will often be called to quell the frenzies of the nobles. While the Pokémon are in frenzy they grow in size and shine in bright colors. They will try their best to hit you so you will have to dodge their attacks while throwing balms made out of their favorite food at them.
Walking is So Last Year
Since the days of Sun and Moon, HMs were non-existent. A Player was given a watch and was able to either surf or break a rock using rock smash without the need of having to know the HM. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players are able to ride on a Pokémon known as Wyrdeer as a way of quickly training the area. Players can fly in the sky using Braviary and explore the skis! Not only can you quicky roam the grounds and explore the skis, but you can also explore the seas using your Basculegion (which is a new evolution of Basculin). The time saving and the new areas you can explore with these features add so much more to the game!
Get in! We're Going Shopping!
Ever since Pokémon X and Y, players have been able to customize their trainers to how they would want their trainer to look like. If a player wanted pink hair and it was an option, then you could give yourself pink hair! In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Players are greeted with this ability again. From Hair, eyebrows, and contacts; to robes, shoes and even pants, players have a big selection in choosing how they want to stylize their trainer. Players who own either a copy of Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl and have saved dada on their switch will unlock a Modern Team Galactic Set!
Players who own either a copy of Sword or Shield and have saved data on their switch will get a Shaymin Kimono set! Lastly those who own a copy of either Let’s Go! Pikachu or Eevee and have saved data on their switch will get a mask of the beloved two characters! To pick up your free goodies you need to first join the Galaxy Expedition Team, which is about one hour into the game, then simply talk to a clothier.
Mission Impossible
Pokémon Legends: Arceus creates something completely new in the game when you compare it to past Pokémon games and that is Objectives. You have the main mission then you have a total of 94 side missions! It is completely optional to do these side missions but the rewards for some of the side missions are super helpful in progressing through the game. In past games there has always been a post-end game event to most Pokémon games that involve catching some new legendary or mythical Pokémon. Legends: Arceus has both a post-game along with its 94 side missions!
Weaving in the Moment
Crafting is expressed as an important thing in the game right off the back. The Galaxy Team you are apart of shows you how to craft your own Poké Balls. Throughout the game you find items in trees, in the grass, or even ore deposits that you can use your Pokémon to harvest. Wild Pokémon also carry random materials like Mud! You do not need to catch them or use the move Theft like in past games to get their held item. Simply by defeating the Pokémon in battle you can get their materials.
Gathering as many materials is very important because if you black out you will lose some of your inventory. Crafting your own items, like Potions and Poké Balls, will also save you money since you cut out the market!
Special Event Mythical Pokémon
Players who own either Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl and have saved data on their switch will unlock the chance to add Darkrai to their team! Darkrai is a Dark-type Pokémon who was introduced in generation 4. This Mythical Pokémon is by far one of the best Mythical Pokémon due to his move Dark Void! Players who own either Sword or Shield and have saved data on their switch will have chance to catch Shaymin and add them to their team! Shaymin is a Mythical, Grass-type Pokémon who was introduced in generation 4 has a second form!
Shaymin is a Mythical, Grass-type Pokémon who was introduced in generation 4 has a second form! When holding a Gracidea flower in the day time, Shaymin turns from its land from to its sky form and becomes a Grass and Flying type! Both Mythical Pokémon are obtainable once you have completed the game. Once you complete the game head to Jubilife Village and a new mission will appear!
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Let us know what you think of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. We hope you enjoyed the article!
I love your addition of the pictures as well as the info about the 94 sides and the darkrai distribution I didn’t know about! Great article!
Thank you so much! I am really glad you enjoyed the article! I myself started playing the game and have gotten my Shaymin and Lets’ Go apparel but for some reason I have not gotten my Team Galactic Set. I own a copy of Brilliant Diamond but for some reason it won’t register it. I am going to try my friends copy of Shining Pearl and see if that saved data will work. I do not want to get to the end of the game and not be able to catch Darkrai. I hope you get to enjoy the game… Read more »
Been playing this since it was released and can confirm its the best pokemon game I’ve played yet.
Great images shown throughout the article! Pokemon Legends: Arceus really does a great job of portraying the new Hisuian Pokemon and make it really interesting to play throughout. As Resurretion stated, I’m glad to read information involving that you can get exclusive Pokemon and clothing by having other Pokemon Switch games registered on the console. Hope everyone is able to get a chance to get their hands on it!