As Pokémon’s 25th anniversary celebration starts to pick up steam, The Pokémon Company has promised lots of surprises to celebrate the occasion. One of those surprises made its debut during February’s Pokémon Presents presentation. The Pokémon Company unveiled a new Pokemon game called Pokémon Legends: Arceus, marking a new direction for the Pokémon series. 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.
What we expect at E3 2021
Nintendo announced the release date for Pokémon Legends: Arceus ahead of its E3 2021 showcase on June 15th, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see the new Pokémon game at the show. We expect to see a new trailer showcasing some of the new mechanics, as well as an update to the game’s visuals and performance, which were admittedly questionable when it first debuted in February.
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 January 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?
Source: The Pokemon Company
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 untouched mountains, beaches, and forests of the region.
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?
Source: The Pokemon Company
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.
How many Pokémon will be in the game?
Source: The Pokemon Company
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 the trailer.
Will there be two versions of the game?
Source: The Pokemon Company
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?
Source: The Pokemon Company
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.
What’s the story in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?
Source: The Pokemon Company
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.
When does Pokémon Legends: Arceus release?
Source: The Pokemon Company
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is set to release on January 28, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch.
Can I preorder Pokémon Legends: Arceus?
Source: The Pokemon Company
Yes, you can preorder Pokémon Legends: Arceus now for $60. As of right now, there are no special editions available.
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