Well, it’s here! In the Pokemon Presents video today, we got new information about Pokemon Legends: Arceus, the open world exploration game set in Sinnoh’s past.
And this time, it’s some extremely interesting stuff to say the least. For a start, the region is actually called the Hisui region, and has a very different layout from Sinnoh’s future.
The Hisui region is the setting of Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Which in turn means new characters and Pokemon! Yep, just like in Pokemon Sun and Moon and Pokemon Sword and Shield, Legends: Arceus will also have regional variations of past gen Pokemon, as well as cross generational evolutions for them. These include regional forms of Growlithe, with a Fire/Rock typing and a statue inspired design:
Plus Braviary, which is now a Psychic/Flying type:
They’re interesting designs, and ones which should play a very different role in the metagame from their previous counterparts.
But it’s not just variants here. No, some Pokemon actually have all new evolutions in this game too!
Like Stantler, who now evolves into the Normal/Psychic deer Pokemon Wyrdeer:
And Basculin, who now becomes a Water/Ghost type called Basculegion, based on the departed souls of its schoolmates:
Again, they’re neat additions, and ones which will definitely make the original Pokemon a lot more interesting to use in game as a result.
We also got some info on the characters featured here too. Many of these are predecessors to characters found in the modern Diamond and Pearl games, with similar designs and personalities. For instance, there’s Commander Kamado, who’s an ancestor of Professor Rowan (the Sinnoh professor), and acts as the leader of your team. Other characters include Professor Laventon (who wants to create the first Pokedex), and Captain Cyllene, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Team Galactic’s boss Cyrus.
You can see images of them here:
The leader of the Galaxy Team, which you’re a part of in this game
Professor Laventon is the original Pokedex creator
Captain Cyllene is the survey corps leader here
As for mechanics, well there’s quite a bit to see there too. For instance, now there’s a crafting system in game, where you can make items like Poke Balls and Smoke Balls from collected items:
You can craft items in this game too
In addition to a player ‘death’ type system, where the main character can black out after being attacked by wild Pokemon. Yeah, they don’t just focus on your party this time around. You’re a target this time too!
There’s also a multiple battle styles set up too. This means you can choose to focus on agility or strength, with the former letting you attack more quickly at the cost of more power, and the latter letting you hit harder with a cost to speed. This ties into a more real time battle system, where your speed stats affect how quickly you can attack rather than merely whoever moves first.
Other interesting additions include an expanded Pokedex setup with research tasks alongside Pokemon registrations (these can raise your rank as a team member and grant access to new areas), and Base Camps that act like Pokemon Centres (and can be used to heal your team in the field).
You also do research tasks when working on the Pokedex
Base Camps act like Pokemon Centres here
So learn more about the game via the trailer below:
Then get ready for Pokemon Legends: Arceus when it launches on Nintendo Switch on January 28th 2022. It’s an interesting change of pace for the Pokemon series, and something that’s sure to be a breath of fresh air in a series that hasn’t evolved much over the years.
Either way, tell us what you think in the comments below, or on our Discord server today!
Sources:
Discover the Hisui region in Pokémon Legends: Arceus! (YouTube)
Pokemon Legends: Arceus Official Website