Pokémon Legends: Arceus is finally among us and brings with it many interesting mechanics to give the saga a fresh air. Get to know the Hisui region and its creatures in this review!
switch already has the long-awaited Pokémon Legends: Arceus, perhaps his workhorse for this 2022. A story that marks a trip to the past to a new region for players, with unknown forms for already classic monsters. As if that were not enough, it includes the alternative of stealthily catching the already popular combat, but beware that there are much more powerful and wild creatures on the way. We thoroughly tested it on Culture Geek in this review we tell you how it feels to really have to capture everyone!
Old times, new world
The story focuses on the protagonist that we will handle, with a name to designate, who travels through time without knowing how he got there and after a vision where the supreme pokémon Arceus He entrusts him with the mission of catching them all and modifies his cell phone. He meets himself Professor Laventonwho was trying to recover three fugitive pocket monsters: Rowlett, Cyndaquil Y Oshawott (you have to choose one of them later). After a new escape, we assist the professor and he teaches us how to capture, to later confess that he could use our help to expand the database of what will be the first pokedex.
Therefore it leads us to Jubilife Villagethe town whose axis is the Galaxy Team, which is responsible for investigating each pokémon that crosses. the captain cylenne She is the one in charge of recruiting us to be part of the team and every progress we make in the company must be reported to her. pokedex. Also, as a companion of our adventure appear Akari or Kingfemale and male characters respectively, whose identity will be based on the gender that we have chosen for the protagonist in the opposite way.
to tame the beasts
The capture system is based on two options. The first is through stealth, where we can move crouching and hide in the brush so that the Pokémon do not notice our presence. In this way, we can throw berries and objects to distract them, and then throw a pokeball that we have in our inventory. But beware that if they see us they will try to flee or attack us (one or more at a time), so they will force us to dodge, move away and try again or enter combat, the other alternative is to capture after weakening them.
As we catch different creatures, their data is populated and updated on the pokedex, which asks for certain objectives such as numbers of the same species, genders, evolutions (which can be done manually from the main menu), use of specific attacks and more. This process is done by returning to the camp that is located in each place on the map of the region Hisui that we visit, where Laventon He will ask us for a report and reward us with money in relation to our progress.
In addition, when returning to base, you must inform cylenne on our progress and according to what is completed, our rank will rise within the galaxy-team. This works like gym badges from other games, which allowed us to control monsters relative to their level.
Getting ready, a key piece
An important component of this game is the crafting or construction of objects, which can be done in a special sector of the town or in the camps. There, by collecting items such as berries from trees, minerals (these two by using a pokémon to hit them) or others scattered throughout the land, you can use recipes that can be acquired by rank up and by purchase. With them you can prepare varieties of pokeballs, potions, revives, smoke bombs and more, but you always have to take into account the space in the backpack, which is limited but expandable with money.
double edged swords
The combat, although it doesn’t have such an important role in this turn-based RPG title, has interesting seasonings. The first of these is that as monsters level up, they can hone their moves to access two variants: strong style Y Agile Style. The former enhances the attack but takes more time for the next action, while the latter grants more but weaker actions. This is also possessed by our rivals or prey, so be careful…
Regarding skills, they can be configured to your liking from the main menu, without losing any learned movement and giving greater freedom when planning a strategy.
Within this aspect enter two new forms of creatures. The first are the specimens. Alpha, which are distinguished by their red eyes and large size, as well as a much worse character than their smaller peers. They imply a greater challenge, since their level is higher than the standard of each zone, but the reward is that they bring better stats to become key pieces of our team if we manage to capture them.
Then there are the Lordly Pokémon, a kind of bosses that are in a state of frenzy and we must calm them down by using some balms that we have to throw at them or even fight a little. They cannot be caught, but remain on our member profile. Team Galaxy like an achievement.
Hisui, a world to know
The ancient way of the region Sinnoh It is presented as a vast place to explore in the open world format that this product brings. In it we come across plains, mountains, rivers, swamps and more areas, with their respective characteristic pokémon and objects to collect. The map, accessible from the modified cell phone, contains points to do fast travel between camps.
As we progress, creatures appear that serve as transport and are summoned with a flute. For example, Wyrdeer can run at high speed and jump over reliefs, Ursula look for treasures, Basculegion swimming in rivers and lakes, and Hisui’s Braviary fly to great heights
Likewise, in each sector and randomly, a space-time distortion is generated where there are evolved Pokémon, other rare ones or even exclusive to this event. The same happens with the items to collect, which will not be the most common.
And another no less relevant detail in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the forms or new evolutions that some specimens will have, such as Voltorb, Growlithe, scythe, Sneasel and even the initial ones.
Jubilife Village also has its own
The town that works as a base for our character has several attractions. For example, inside the barracks of the Team Galaxy is he General Kamado which gives us the main quests. However, the inhabitants also entrust us with tasks of different kinds, such as bringing them specific pokémon, completing the data in the pokédex of a particular monster, obtaining objects and more. All with their respective rewards.
In addition, there are shops, a hairdresser and a clothing store to give the boy another appearance, the pastures where the pokémon that we capture go, a place to take pictures, an area to acquire or improve movements, a position to exchange creatures with our friends or strangers. and acquire evolutionary objects (through the use of merit points that are obtained by finding lost bags of other players) and even a room of their own for the protagonist.
A necessary evolution despite the lack of other evolutions
The proposal shown in Pokémon Legends: Arceus It is a breath of fresh air for the saga, which leaves a little of the monotony. As a counterpoint, it does not have a competitive section for duels with other players, and has the inexplicable in 2022 absence of voice actors (there are no voices, only texts). If we want to look for details, it also has a beginning with too much text and little action, and its graphics (with style cell shading on moving figures) aren’t the best, but the gameplay makes up for it. Relive the idea of capturing them all in an engaging way, so you can rank up and progress through the story, with capturing formats for those who prefer stealth or combat.
It offers many activities to do and explore the areas that make up Hisuichallenging creatures and the ever-present longing for varicolored specimens or shiny. And the limitations in terms of supplies give it that touch of survival (yes, because if you are missing something you will not want to suffer a Hyper Beam from a snorlax alpha or be chased by the furious stop).
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is undoubtedly one of the strong bets of Nintendo, Game Freak Y Pokemon Company in switch for this 2022. With few loose points, it encourages a return to the ideal of the trainer of wanting to take on every creature he sees along the way, with captivating systems to complete the first Pokédex and is a great and recommended entry way to Pokémon for the few who are not part of that world. A story with mystery and endearing characters within a region that is exhibited as nourished by landscapes, a variety of specimens and adventures. Are you ready for a new journey?
RELEASE DATE | January 28, 2022 |
DEVELOPER | Game Freak |
DISTRIBUTOR | Nintendo |
PLATAFORMS | switch |