Pokémon Legends: Arceus Reviews
The changes to the setting and structure make for an RPG that's refreshing, even if aspects like the duels with frenzied nobles are more of a novelty than a meaningful step forward for the series. While there are definitely areas like the visuals and the variety of Pokémon and moves that could be improved, it all feels like far more than just a proof of concept.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a great direction for the series to take, being somewhat held back by the technical elements of the world you’re visiting.
Overall, I would say that Pokémon Legends Arceus is a really enjoyable game; one with a lot of flaws, but they’re flaws that can be ignored or are mitigated by the fact that you spend the vast majority of your time not interacting with those parts of the game. If you stick to exploring, catching and battling you are going to have a fantastic time, unless you have a fetish for reading long drawn-out walls of text about some random person’s ramblings. Bearing in mind that you read this review, you must have some liking for it, so maybe it won’t be so bad after all.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus dares to make things different, and that is its main quality. The Pokémon formula has undergone changes for the best, and even though there is work to be done on matters like the visual environment in Arceus' wide and open world, this is a game that operates very welcome changes to the fighting system and to the way the player fulfills the main goals. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is without a doubt a shining example of how the Pokémon series can face the future.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The latest instalment in the world of Pokémon is finally upon us, set prior to the events of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl in what would come to be known as Sinnoh. Embracing a new open-world setting, Pokémon Legends: Arceus has a beautiful world in which to explore – and what a world it is.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a big step in the right direction for the series. It’s not that the tried and true formula of collecting eight badges and fighting against an elite league wasn’t working anymore, but Game Freak needed to inject a spark somehow, especially after the lukewarm reception of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Fans stated that the remakes were too safe and didn’t try to introduce new mechanics or expand the gameplay. Pokémon Legends: Arceus offers a Pokémon adventure that’s never before been experienced, something that can truly grow into something more. Even if we continue to see Pokémon games that are still styled off older titles of the series, there’s absolutely no way that we should do away with an open-world aspect. Seeing Pokémon interacting with the game world and not just appearing in random battles makes the experience feel more real and connected. Whether you’re a die hard Pokémon fan who’s never missed a game or someone who hasn’t played for a few generations (sorry, I didn’t have a DS), Pokémon Legends: Arceus is an adventure that shouldn’t be passed up.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus nails the core of what could easily become the core of the series moving forward. Its world doesn’t look great, but it’s a ton of fun to explore and play around in. There’s definitely room for improvement in a next installment. A core quest for players to really sink their teeth into, improved graphics at least around the edges, and slightly rebalanced battles would be a great start. Still, for players who have spent the last twenty six years waiting for Pokémon to try something new, you’ll definitely want to take a trip to Hisui.
With a quick jump into the action, an engaging gameplay loop, and oodles of freedom to progress forward any way the player wishes, Arceus creates an experience found nowhere else in the Pokémon series. For those willing to tolerate the mediocre presentation, an entertaining experience is here for the taking.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a huge step forward for what is achievable in the Pokémon series as a whole. This is a defining step in the franchise that shows just how much gas is still in the tank. The staleness of the mainline series and the need to remake the older generations is being shown it’s not needed any longer. New gameplay mechanics show just how far this series can be pushed, and still feel like a Pokémon game.
Game Freak made a step in the right direction with Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Next time, let's just focus on balancing the new combat system and improve the presentation.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
"That's one small step for gaming industry, one giant leap for Pokémon."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is all we have been asking for a long time. Finally Game Freak gave us the freedom to explore a world full of magic creatures, battle them like never before and have all of this wrapped up on a pretty decent storyline. But it's yet to reach perfection, mainly because Hisui could be much more. New mechanics and a new way of playing Pokémon is not enough when the world that you can now explore feels empty. Game Freak found, with this new formula, a diamond... now it's time to shape it.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is almost exactly what we wanted from a more modern Pokémon game. The degree of freedom we have practically since the start to explore vast areas and interact with monsters feels so natural and is an absolute delight from the first minute to the last. It's not a perfect experience, especially from a technical point of view, but the evolution is much significant and numerous than the setbacks. We can't wait to see how this entry will influence the inevitable ninth generation - or better yet, what the next Pokémon Legends will look like!
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
After 26 years of catching them all, Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes the foundations of Pokémon and successfully reshapes it into a new style. While the graphics need considerable improvement, Legends: Arceus makes Pokémon fun all over again. By going into the past, Pokémon has evolved for the future. Look forward to the next line of games in this new form!
Pokemon Legends: Arceus dares to be different and, while sometimes it can feel like a bit of work, is quite refreshing!
Legends Arceus is a good game, but it has too many shortcomings to be a great game. For every good part of Legends Arceus, there is also a bad one. I walked away from this game wanting them to truly build upon the new ideas they presented because there is a good base. Pokémon Legends Arceus is the best example of a good game that is held back from being amazing by falling victim to not innovating enough with the new mechanics presented. However, despite its shortcomings, it’s the first Pokémon game in years that I’ll be excited to go back to and I’m walking away from feeling hopeful for the future of the series.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a game that many of us Pokémon fans have wanted for a long time, and although it isn't perfect, it is a step in the right direction.
The best Pokemon game since the days of Gold & Silver. Despite graphical and technical problems, you won't be able to stop playing.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Although Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a bit weak in terms of graphics and performance, it is a great Pokemon game that has managed to offer innovations and improvements that the series has needed for a long time.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the perfect building block to where the series is headed. With Pokémon: Let’s Go and Pokémon Sword and Shield, the three games feel like the first steps towards something bigger. If you can get past its looks, Arceus is the best Pokémon game on the Switch. While it may never be as iconic as some of the previous Pokémon games, it has deep gameplay systems and a map that feels extensive. Arceus is full of small moments where you get to experience Pokémon from a new perspective.