As an open-world Pokémon RPG, Pokémon Legends: Arceus may be the most exciting Pokémon game to release in years. During this week’s Pokémon Presents, we were treated to a new trailer, and in-depth gameplay footage, showcasing new characters, familiar Pokémon, and more details about the open world adventure.
The entire Pokémon Presents broadcast, which includes updates for Unite, Cafe ReMix, and Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond, can be found above, while the new trailer for Arceus is below.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a prequel that takes place on the Hisui region, which will eventually become the Sinnoh region of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Not only is Pokémon Legends a rare prequel, but it’s also the first entirely open world Pokémon RPG, an evolution of the wild area from Pokémon Sword and Shield.
You’ll play as a surveyor, mapping and exploring the wild region and creating its very first Pokédex. You’ll complete quests to find certain Pokémon, and can use base camps to rest and recover outside of Jubilife Village, the primary hub location for the Galaxy Expedition Team.
Wild Pokémon can attack you directly, and you’ll need to use stealth to sneak up on them. Throw a pokéball containing one of your own Pokémon to initiate a battle. Pokémon can adopt agile or strength styles, changing each move’s power or speed rating. Fast Pokémon can even act multiple times in a row, with a new initiative tracker that showcases when a Pokémon’s turn begins.
Like previous Pokémon RPGs, you’ll also be able to traverse the world using Pokémon, including riding, swimming, and flying, which looks a heck of a lot cooler in a 3D open world.
The video also revealed new Pokémon evolutions, including Wyrdeer (from Stantler) and Basculegion (from Basculin), and regional-variants such as Hisuian Braviary and Hisuian Growlithe.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is launching January 28, 2022 on Nintendo Switch. Pre-orders are available now.
