Pokémon Legends: Arceus — Everything you need to know

During a February 2021 Pokémon Presents presentation, the Pokémon Company unveiled a new game called Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It marks a new direction for the Pokémon series. Many people are even comparing this more open-world style to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It’s early, but it already looks like it’ll be one of the best RPGs on the Nintendo Switch. Here’s everything you need to know about the brand new Pokémon game.

Latest Pokémon Legends Arceus news

Update August 15, 2021: Pokémon Presents bring new Legends: Arceus info.

During the Pokémon Presents, we learned about regional variants, battle mechanics, and modes of transportation.

Update May 26, 2021: Pokémon Legends: Arceus receives a release date

In a surprise update from Nintendo’s Twitter, both Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl received release dates. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is dropping on Jan, 28, 2022.

What is Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a new Pokémon game set in the ancient Sinnoh region. In this era, people from all over the world have settled in Sinnoh to explore this new land. Receiving a partner Pokémon from a professor, you set off to capture every Pokémon and help create Sinnoh’s first Pokédex.

What’s new in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

Almost everything, really. Pokémon Legends: Arceus seems like a Breath of the Wild-inspired take on the traditional Pokémon formula. Sinnoh has been transformed into an open world, and you’re free to explore the region’s untouched mountains, beaches, and forests.

You can hunt for Pokémon much like you did in the Wild area of Pokémon Sword and Shield, but now you can toss a Poké Ball right at the Pokémon and capture them. The movement has been improved, and battles also seem to be tweaked. Now you can engage wild Pokémon alongside your own Pokémon.

Who are the starter Pokémon?

Every new region comes with new starter Pokémon. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, however, you’ll come across some familiar faces. The starters include Rowlet from Generation VII, Cyndaquil from Generation II, and Oshawott from Generation V. The mix of starters were captured and brought to Sinnoh by a traveling professor, who remains a mystery at this time.

Are there regional variants?

There sure are. During the August 2021 Pokémon Presents, we learned of four Pokémon with Hisuian region looks. There will likely be even more within the game.

Yes! We’ve already seen that players can fly with the help of Hisuian Braviary, cross water with the help of Basculegion, and simply ride around the overworld on the back of Wyrdeer. There are undoubtedly more Pokémon to ride in the game, but we don’t know the full extent yet. We’ll update when we learn more.

To call these Pokémon to you, you’ll whip out your trusty Celestica Flute. It’s unclear where players can pickup the Celestica Flute. It could be given to you at the onset of your journey, or you might have to earn it somehow.

What’s the story in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

We don’t know much about the story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. So far, we know that it takes place years in the past, even before the idea of a Pokémon Trainer or Pokémon League even existed. You’re tasked with building the region’s first Pokédex, though we still don’t know how the titular mythical Pokémon fits in.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus Wardens & noble Pokémon

Instead of running around collecting gym badges, players go to areas where special noble Pokémon reside. There is a dedicated Warden looking after each one by providing food and keeping the area safe. However, noble Pokémon are becoming frenzied for some reason and it will be your job to calm them with balms. The Pokémon Company already revealed one of these noble Pokémon.

Spoiler: Click the link below to see the revealed Pokémon.

Not every Pokémon in Legends: Arceus needs to be battled to catch it. When you approach, some Pokémon will be friendly, others will hide, and others will need to be weakened before you can catch them. Players throw a Poké Ball with one of their Pokémon at a wild creature to start a battle. The battle then begins right there in the overworld without going into a separate battle mode.

The combat order is determined by either Pokémon’s stats, including Speed and status conditions. A box displays in the upper right corner, letting you know the order in which Pokémon will be able to attack.

Agile Style and Strong Style

As with the core Pokémon games, each Pokémon can remember up to four moves at a time. However, in Legends: Arceus, each of these moves can be performed in one of two styles: Agile Style or Strong style.

• Strong Style: Increases power but reduces action speed.
• Agile Style: Increases speed but reduces power.

You’ll need to use these styles accordingly to get the upper hand on your opponents. For example, Strong Style is the way to go if you think you can knock out the other Pokémon in one hit. Meanwhile, if you need to sneak in a few more attacks before your opponent can strike, you’ll want to use Agile Style.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus character customization and shops

We might be in ancient Sinnoh, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any classy clothes or items to deck your character out it. Plus, there are a number of shops in Jubilife Village to help you stand out.

• Hairdresser and clothier Change your hairdo and get the perfect clothes to match your style.

• Photography studio Grab your favorite Pokémon and say cheese! You get to choose your poses, backgrounds, faces, and more.

• General store and craftworks Get all of the items you need for your journey here. If it isn’t sold then you might have to make it yourself.

• Pokémon pastures: There aren’t any computers in ancient Sinnoh, so you’ll leave all of the Pokémon you’ve caught that aren’t in your party in the pastures. You can visit them at any time and see how they’re doing.

What is gameplay like?

Players are out to complete the first-ever Pokédex by working with the Galaxy Expedition Team. You’ll be given research tasks, and fulfilling them earns you points. As you earn more points, you’ll move up in the rankings and be able to explore new locations.

Whenever you’re away from Jubilife Village, you’ll be able to stop by Base Camps to rest up, buy supplies, or craft items. Just like Pokémon centers in core Pokémon games, if you faint in battle, you’ll wake up at Base camp.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus crafting

You read that right. Crafting is being brought into the mix in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. So far, it looks like you can craft different Poké Balls, Smoke Bombs, and other items with the help of materials found in the wild. There’s definitely more to learn here, but we’ll keep our ears to the ground and will update when we learn more.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus Arc Phone

You’ll receive the Arc Phone near the beginning of your journey (just ignore the fact that it’s basically an iPhone in ancient feudal times). This device helps you keep track of missions and requests and also allows you to view a map of the area. The name implies that it has something to do with the titular Legendary Arceus.

How many Pokémon will be in the game?

We don’t have a count of how many Pokémon will appear in the game, but we’ve caught already caught a glimpse of some familiar Pokémon throughout screenshots and trailers. You can see the full list of confirmed Pokémon for Legends: Arceus.

Will there be two versions of the game?

Breaking away from Pokémon tradition, there’s will only be one version of the game. Hopefully, that means we can capture every Pokémon ourselves.

Will there be multiplayer?

Breaking away from Pokémon tradition, there is currently no multiplayer planned. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a single-player experience. There may still be other forms of connectivity set to be announced.

When does Pokémon Legends: Arceus release?

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is set to release on January 28, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus preorder bonus

Anyone who preorders Pokémon Legends: Arceus will get a free Hisuian Growlithe Kimono Set for their character to wear. Players can redeem these clothes once the game releases by going to the Mystery Gifts menu within the game and selecting Get via the Internet.

Can I preorder Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

Yes, you can preorder Pokémon Legends: Arceus now for $60. As of right now, there are no special editions available.