A New Pokémon World? Pokémon LEGENDS Arceus" Advance Play Report

On January 28, 2022, "Pokémon LEGENDS Arceus" (Pokémon Legends Arceus), the latest Pokémon game, will be released. Here, we would like to introduce a look at the game, which was played at a hands-on event prior to its release.

The story takes place in the Jade Region, which is the past of the Shin-Ou Region, the setting of "Pokémon Diamond Pearl" on the Nintendo DS, and is a completely original story rather than a remake of an existing title.

Pokémon move around on the field in real time!

The major difference between this title and other titles in the series is the game system itself. Players investigate Pokémon living in the vast nature of the Jade Region, but the method of encountering Pokémon on the map is slightly different from that of past titles. Unlike symbol encounters, the screen does not switch when approaching a Pokémon, and the player decides how to act on the spot.

Therefore, there are some tricks to catching wild Pokémon. Some Pokémon run away when they see you, so you may need to throw other tools to distract and dazzle them before throwing the monster ball.

Sometimes the player may be attacked directly! Be careful with "Oyabun" Pokémon!

Pokémon with high aggressiveness may attack the player directly, something that has never happened in the previous series. If damage from Pokémon accumulates to a certain degree in a short period of time, the game will resume from the base camp with the player's eyes completely blacked out and some of his or her tools lost.

As in the past, you can also catch Pokémon by making them fight each other, in which case you throw a monster ball containing a Pokémon in your possession, and the battle phase will begin seamlessly on the spot. In this case, the battle phase begins seamlessly on the spot. There are also techniques such as "Hayagyo," which reduces the power of a technique but makes it easier to act earlier, and "Rikigyo," which makes it easier to slow down the order of action but is more powerful.

In addition, there are Pokémon called "Oyabun" on the map, which are larger than usual and have red glowing eyes. If you find a Pokémon with glowing red eyes and you are not strong enough to fight it, you may need to quietly run away from the Pokémon.

Use the Pokémon Ride to run around the field!

On the map, there is also a conception of the passage of time, which switches to evening, night, etc. The graphics are softly colored landscapes, and the character depictions are somewhere between deformed and realistic. Kotobukimura, where the research mission is based, has a beautiful townscape reminiscent of old Japanese houses and modern brick buildings that were common in the Meiji and Taisho eras, in keeping with the past setting of the "Shin-Ou Region. In Kotobukimura, players can purchase tools, change their clothes and hairstyles, and even talk to people in the town to perform sub-missions.

Also noteworthy is a new feature called "Pokémon Ride," in which players ride Pokémon around the map. At the hands-on event, three Pokémon were available: Ayashishi, which rides on land; Idaitou, which moves on water; and Wargul (in the form of Jade), which flies through the air. The name "Pokémon Ride" itself has been used in past titles, but the exhilaration and freedom of use are completely different in this title, which has added action game elements. It is also likely to be used frequently, as it is quite useful for breaking through certain obstacles and speeding up movement. It is also possible to use the Monster Ball on the water when riding Idaitou, and Pokémon Ride is also used to capture Pokémon that lurk in the water, such as Koikings.

King" and "Queen" battles against special Pokémon

Another new element is the opportunity to battle specially strong Pokémon called "King" and "Queen" as you progress through the story. These Pokémon are normally respected by the people, but have suddenly gone out of control, and the objective is to quell them by throwing a tool called a "Shizumedama. The battles are completely in the vein of action RPGs, requiring players to understand their opponents' attack motions, avoid attacks, and use their reflexes and judgment to throw Shizumedama, as well as strategic thinking to bring Pokémon into the battle, sometimes using the Pokémon in their hand.

This title, "Pokémon LEGENDS Arceus," is full of new elements that were not in the existing titles, making it suitable for players who are new to the series, as it can be enjoyed even by action game lovers who have not been exposed to the series before.

Pokémon" is now a game series that can be enjoyed by parents and children alike, but perhaps those of the parental generation who started with "Pokémon Red and Green" will not be able to make use of their existing Pokémon knowledge in this action-packed title, and may have to learn from their children, who are quick learners.

The release date for "Pokémon LEGENDS Arceus" is January 28, 2022.

[GAME INFO]
Pokémon LEGENDS Arceus
Release date: January 28, 2022 (Friday)
Price: 6,578 yen (including tax)
Compatibility: Nintendo Switch
Sales form: packaged version/downloadable version
Genre: Action RPG
Players: 1 player
Publisher: Pokémon Co.
Publisher: Nintendo Co.
Production: Game Freak Inc.
Communication function: Local communication, Internet communication
Languages: Japanese, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese
CERO: A

All screenshots are under development.

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