Pokémon Legends Arceus: What Makes It The Best Pokémon Game So Far
It's been less than a month since Pokémon Legends: Arceus came out, but some fans are already declaring it one of the best entries in the franchise. And considering Pokémon has released over 100 games since 1996, this is no small feat. But Legends lives up to the hype, representing a true revolution for a franchise that has long been accused of being overly safe.
There are many reasons fans consider Legends the best Pokémon game in recent years and one of the all-time best. However, some immediately stand out, and it's a consensus among the fandom that if the game is a triumphant success, it's because of these choices.
8 Brand New Fighting Mechanics
Long-time Pokémon players might've thought they knew everything about Pokémon battling before Legends: Arceus came out. However, the game introduces an entirely new mechanic in the form of the Strong and Agile styles.
There's not much science to these, but they can effectively turn the battle around when used properly. Foes and rivals will not shy away from using them, even at the game's early stages, making the confrontations all the more exciting and challenging. The two styles, along with the best Hisuian forms that Legends: Arceus debuted, also open an exciting new door in the world of competitive battle, a massive part of the Pokémon fandom.
7 RPG Elements
In the world of video games, RPGs are kings. These games enhance every aspect of the gaming experience by inviting the player to not only visit but actually inhabit these fascinating and intricate worlds. Players craft items, clothing, armor, weapons, and even houses or fortresses. The most successful entries can even become a way of life, providing a sense of escapism from the ordinariness of day-to-day life.
Pokémon toyed with RPG elements before, but it went full-in with Legends: Arceus and the franchise is all the better because of it. Between mounts, crafting, researching, and task-completing, players can finally get a taste of what it would be like to live in the Pokémon world. What's better is that these additions complement the story exquisitely, delivering a comprehensive game that stands leagues above any of the franchise's latest entries.
6 No More Hand-Holding!
Generation VI was a pivotal time in Pokémon games. The basic plot mechanics and structure, already known by millions of players, became oversimplified; Game Freak even increased the hand-holding and made it nearly inescapable. At every turn, there was a sign or NPC ready to tell players exactly where they needed to go and what they needed to do.
Legends: Arceus still features basic instructions, but there's a lot more freedom to explore. Players can visit every corner of the game's diverse regions, fulfill tasks for some of the most likable characters in the game, and even fight Alpha Pokémon at their own will. Yes, there's still a plot and achievements to be unlocked before moving forward, but the open world provides a sense of liberty missing from the last three Pokémon generations.
5 It's All About The Lore
Legendary and Mythical Pokémon often have the best lore in the franchise. However, the franchise's mythology is rich and varied, acting as one of its biggest assets. From the myths about the creation of time and space to the tales of the burned Brass Tower and the time-traveling forest-dweller Celebi, Pokémon has legends to spare.
However, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the first time in the franchise when the player becomes part of the lore, instead of just finding it out through some book or NPC. The game's main characters are living the legend, writing the story as they go. It's a fascinating new aspect and a perfect way to further explore and understand the ever-expansive Pokémon world.
4 The Game Is Actually Difficult
Veteran Pokémon players often complained about how easy the games had become. Indeed, starting with Generation VI, there was a notorious decline in the games' difficulty, especially compared to the peak that was Generation V. Generation VII did have one of the most memorable boss battles in any Pokémon game, Ultra Necrozma, but the rest of the fights against Gym Leaders and rivals paled in comparison to the franchise's heyday that included legends like Red and Cynthia.
Luckily, Legends: Arceus changed that. Wild Pokémon are vicious and hit incredibly hard; even experienced players will get surprised at how much damage a wild Luxray's Crunch can cause. On top of that, Pokémon Legends: Arceus includes some incredibly challenging boss battles between Noble Pokémon and assorted rivals.
3 It's Absurdly Addictive
One of Pokémon Legends: Arceus' main purposes is to complete the Hisui region's best Pokédex. At first, the task can seem daunting because it involves catching multiple Pokémon of the same species, not to mention battling and evolving them. Before the game came out, some players thought the mechanics might get repetitive and boring.
However, they couldn't have been more wrong. Who knew that stalking and catching wild Pokémon could be so fun? Alas, it is, and players can spend hours and hours exploring the vast Hisui region, catching Pokémon over and over again. Players will also learn more about their favorite mons in the process, proving that even a creature as beloved and well-known as Pikachu still has some secrets under its tail.
2 More Immersive Than Ever Before
A massive part of Pokémon's success is how expansive and appealing the world is. In simple terms, fans want to live in the Pokémon world, catching and raising these creatures and traveling the vast world, battling and living all kinds of adventures.
Previous games in the franchise felt somehow limited because of their nature, but Legends is massive. Every corner seems to hold some secret waiting to be discovered, whether it's a new Pokémon or a hidden Iron Chunk. The game invites exploration, making the gaming experience a lot more immersive. Like the best RPG games, fans feel like they're actually in Hisui while playing Legends, which only increases their love for the franchise.
1 It Delivered What It Promised
From the time Nintendo announced Legends: Arceus, the company promised a completely different gaming experience for Pokémon players, and they delivered. Unlike any main-series Pokémon game, Legends is a perfect combination of open-world exploration and RPG mechanics with the franchise's classic trademarks.
Furthermore, the game also reinvigorated a franchise that repeated itself for far too long. Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced multiple changes, including crafting, Noble Pokémon, Alphas, and much more. In many ways, this is a new dawn for the franchise, opening the door for countless possibilities and confirming that Pokémon is more popular than ever, even twenty-six years after its inception.