Pokémon Legends: Arceus Reviews
Pokémon Legends: Arceus tries to do a lot of things differently, and for the most part, it succeeds. It offers a fresh and innovative take on the Pokémon formula, delivering a more open and dynamic experience; something fans have been craving for years. It takes what players adore of the older games and revolutionises them for modern audiences, allowing gamers to catch, battle, and explore with Pokémon in new and exciting ways. The end result is a more immersive and engaging world, even if somewhat bland. It is clear where Game Freak is hoping to take the franchise, as there is a lot of potential and promise on show. Despite not being a perfect game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a worthwhile experiment and experience, where the ambition and innovation on offer are welcome, but let down by the execution and over all quality. Even so, Pokémon fans who temper their expectations will find a game worthy of their time.
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.
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
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?
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 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
Legends: Arceus is a fascinating culmination of decisions that will either steer the mainline Pokémon series into a new beginning or permanently disrupt its time and space in the gaming industry.
It’s nice to play a Pokémon game that feels like it was made with love. Pokémon Legends: Arceus sure is not perfect, but it’s a loving attempt to take the series in a different direction, and it mostly nails it.
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!
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
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is far from perfect. The visual issues and boring opening stretch make that clear. However, the title is still a majorly fun and exciting evolution of the franchise. Getting out there in the world and interacting with the Pokémon has never felt better. I'm excited to see where Game Freak goes from here, which is not something I would have necessarily said after prior entries.
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.
If you’re someone who’s wanted Pokémon to take the next step as far as gameplay and being different, this one is it.
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.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus reinvents the series' typical turn-based combat and blends it with satisfying, fresh features including crafting, exploration, and dodge rolls.
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.