The Pokemon Company has finally showcased more footage ofPokemon: Brilliant DiamondandPokemon: Shining Pearl, as well asPokemon Legends: Arceus, the next major title in the long-running franchise to be helmed by lead series developer Game Freak. Both titles were announced last February at the Pokemon Presents showcase, with it later being confirmed thatBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearlwould release in November 2021, withPokemon Legends: Arceuscoming in January 2022. Now, five months ahead of launch, Game Freak has detailed what is likely to be the most ambitiousPokemongame ever made.
Pokemon Legends: Arceusis the first main installment in thePokemonseries since 2019’sPokemon Sword and Shield, entries that heavily divided the fanbase due to its lack of series staples such as the Regional Pokedex, and visuals that were more on par with the Nintendo 3DS entries than what many expected from the first major Nintendo Switch title. Following this, it seems that Game Freak took fans' criticisms to heart, asPokemon Legends: Arceusseems to be the biggest leap forward for the seriessince 2013’sPokemon XandY, which was the first 3D title in the series.Legends: Areceusis the franchise’s first action-RPG installment, being set in a seamless open-world heavily inspired byThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
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The newest trailer for the game showcases the massive open-world, which seems to be a direct evolution ofSwordandShield’s Wild Area, an open area of the game’s map which included all types of Pokemon roaming, regardless of the player’s level.Legendsseems to also be ditching the random encounters of past titles, as the game’s trailer showcasesPokemonfrom the series' 25 year history roaming the region of Hisui region. For fans of thePokemonuniverse’s lore, the Hisui region would later be known as the Sinnoh region.The game is a prequel toPokemon DiamondandPearl, set hundred of years before the titles, as the players are tasked with creating the region’s first Pokedex. The trailer also reveals that battles will take place directly on the game’s map, be it on land or at sea, and hints at the game’s revamped battle system.
Game Freak has also revealed thatPokemon Legends: Arceus' starters will be composed of creatures from the series' past, as opposed to three new Pokemon. The starters includeSun and Moon’s Rowlet,Gold and Silver’s Cyndaquil, and Oshawatt fromBlack andWhite. In fact, it seems thatmost of the game’s Pokedex will be composed of creatures from the franchise’s past, however there will be some new monsters as well.
Pokemon Legends: Arceuswill release exclusively on Nintendo Switch on July 10, 2025.
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