Pokémon Legends: Arceus Reviews
Pokémon Legends: Arceus still has some lingering flaws from the series' rough transition to 3D, but is still an incredibly fun time from start to finish. Catching and battling Pokémon hasn't been this fun in over a decade, and despite the wealth of things to do in Hisui I'm still hungry for more.
More than a quarter of a century since the cuddly critters were first sent in to battle, the magic of those early adventures has finally been recaptured
But Pokemon Legends: Arceus is proof that Pokemon can evolve. It's taken 25 years but this feels like the first true evolution of the series; a far bigger change than moving from 2D to 3D. It feels like the awkward middle evolution though, as graphics, voice acting, and boss fights all need serious work. If this is the path that the series is headed down, then I can’t wait for it to evolve again because let’s face it, nobody remembers Quilava.
By tearing up the rule book and breaking new ground, Game Freak has created the best Pokémon title in decades
Despite its many flaws, Legends Pokémon: Arceus is not a bad game and we can salute the risk-taking as well as the change of course of the genre that blows a new wind on the license.
Review in French | Read full review
As I said the future seems bright for the Pokémon franchise, I just hope Game Freak can avoid what many studios do and end up taking ‘two steps back’ after moving their game forward; but time will tell.
It’s symbolic of the question that some PLA players will be left with. Did Game Freak’s reach extend its grasp? But for us, when it works its magic, it really works. It’s certainly the most exciting Pokémon game in years, and even if it’s a little overambitious – wouldn’t we rather have that experimentation over the same journey we’ve been on many, many times?
People, who love creature-collecting gameplay can easily spend tens of hours in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. And if you ever felt tired of "classic" Pokemon formula, don't sleep on Arceus too.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is clearly flawed, yet courageous; it succeeds in the arduous mission of rejuvenating some of the clumsy axioms of one of the most conservative series around, laying the foundations for an eventual rebirth of the brand.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Although most Pokémon games are of good class, there's no denying that they've lost some magic since the show's heyday. But with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, developer Game Freak shows they can still create fresh and entertaining gameplay that lifts Pokémon chasing to a new level. It's a shame that action, environments, and graphics aren't anywhere near the same class.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
Arceus offers you a chance to play your childhood dream. It's not perfect but it offers something more engrossing and satisfying than anything else Pokémon has come up with.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a must-have for fans of the series as it’s an experience like no other. The only downside is that the game could do with a graphical facelift, especially the character models who aren’t anywhere as detailed as they should be.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with Arceus, but the surprise was a pleasant one. There aren’t any gyms or gym leaders, but I found plenty of tough battles. The graphics are pretty basic, but the character models all look terrific. Even the environments aren’t so bad, as long as you’re playing in portable mode. I was instantly hooked by the gameplay loop. Everything you do in the field feels so seamless, so smooth. This game makes Pokémon feel a bit dangerous, something I never thought was possible. If you were hoping for a traditional Pokémon experience, you’ll be thrown for a loop. Keep an open mind however, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus will be a fantastic time.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus comes as a much-needed refresher for the franchise, with new gameplay mechanics that make capturing pocket monsters more fun than ever.
For the first time since I was a child, I finally feel excited for the future of Pokemon. While it’s true that Pokemon Legends: Arceus has some problems that do feel inexcusable in this day and age, there’s no doubt that the game is a milestone for the franchise. I can only hope that Game Freak decides to build on the ideas that work well here and grow the concept into something even better.
The Pokemon series has rarely been known for taking major risks over the years, but Pokemon Legends: Arceus definitely goes against that trend and gives us one of the most exciting games in the franchise. While there are definitely some areas where there could be improvements, such as more trainer battles, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is hopefully a very exciting look at what we can expect to see more of from Pokemon in the future.
Looks aren't everything in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which does a great job in pushing the series forward while showing a willingness to take risks and step outside of the series’ comfort zone. It’s still rough around the edges and could use some more polish. That being said, it’s an exciting teaser for what’s to come and should have many fans looking forward to what Pokemon has in store next.
In short, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a refreshing experience that the franchise needed after all these years. The focus on capturing is one of the game's biggest strengths, due to the fun gameplay loop of discovering a Pokémon's behavior prior to catching it. It may not be the best-looking game available on Nintendo Switch, but the addictive nature of exploring the various biomes to discover new things makes Pokémon Legends: Arceus one of the best Pokémon experiences in a long time.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the step of innovation that the series needed. At the end of the day, though, that installment feels more like a grand experiment than the franchise's standard going forward.
Review in Spanish | Read full review