Written by Taoan，2021 Cohort
If you are a Pokémon fan, you must know the newest Pokémon game: Pokémon Legends: Arceus released on 28th January. Today, I am going to talk about this game.
I was a hardcore Pokémon player when the main series was on Nintendo 3DS. I finish all the Pokédex, breeding Pokémon for Shiny Pokémon or better individual values for battle, went to the Pokémon center as well as watched movies in Japan for the local event Pokémon. I was in awe at that time. But I stopped playing when the main series was released on Switch.
Unlike the main series of Pokémon, Arceus is an action RPG game. It shares the same background as the fourth generation games (Pokémon Diamond and Pearl as well as Pokémon Platinum). I am not going to talk about the story, the graphics or the Pokémon list of this game today, I will only focus on the gameplay and compare it with the main series.
The biggest difference between Arceus and Main Pokémon series is that unlike the main series, which is a pure turn-based RPG, Arceus is a combination of ARPG and turn-based RPG. Players can capture wild Pokémon in the world directly, without engaging in battle, also they can avoid Pokémon’s attacks by walking and dodging. When the player throws a ball with a Pokémon at the wild Pokémon, it enters turn-based battle mode, and the turn-based battle is also different from the main series, skills can allow Pokémon to attack twice in one turn. The Pokédex is also very different. Players need to fulfill certain conditions (such as how many same Pokémon you catch, or how many times you use a specific skill etc.) then they can get the information on the Pokédex. Pokémon themselves also have different body sizes that are directly reflected in the game. Most importantly, without a breeding system, players must cultivate Pokémon in other ways.
In my opinion, this series is more like a return to the original intention: Pokémon is a game of collectibles and exchange. As the series develops, completed the main quest is just the beginning of the game. The battles between players are also increasing in number. Most players choose Pokémons not because of their preferences, but their strength. As a comparison, Arceus focuses more on exploring the Hisui region and filling the Pokédex by capturing or fighting with a wild Pokémon repeatedly. Also, the ARPG gameplay outside the Pokemon battle enhances its sense of substitution.
All in all, Game Freak are exploring a new way for one of the most famous game franchise in the world.