Pokemon Legends: Arceus

 Switch
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3825 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,951 out of 3825
  2. Mixed: 388 out of 3825
  3. Negative: 486 out of 3825
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  1. Cooperthewoopr
    Sep 9, 2023
    10
    This is the best pokemon game on switch when ever I think about this game though there's 1 issue they removed wooper
  2. TreasureOrTrash
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  3. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    8
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! pla
  4. idontknow0
    Aug 31, 2023
    10
    Fantastic game, probably one of the best pokemon games. I loved the noble fights, and the post game is full of content that has you hooked, and the plot twist is crazy! Loved shiny hunting in this game and the gameplay is Great. Overall amazing game, would recommend.
  5. Lukart59
    Aug 30, 2023
    10
    Amazing graphics, fun gameplay, this game is just perfect. While grinding does get boring after 40 hours of gameplay, the game is still fun to play always.
  6. TTTE
    Aug 29, 2023
    8
    This is the only pokemon game that I have enjoyed for some time and while the gameplay is very refreshing and new, the graphics still look like its from a ps2 at best.
  7. Megataco2017
    Aug 28, 2023
    8
    Pretty fun.................................................................
  8. MrZeraora
    Aug 18, 2023
    9
    Oyun pokemon evreni ve oyunları için doruk noktası böylesine iyi bir oyun bir daha gelmez ama grafikler kötü ona diyecek bişeyim yok.
  9. JonaSCX
    Aug 17, 2023
    8
    Aunque este cambio en la saga me parece realmente un acierto en cuanto a la aventura pokemon, creo yo que siguen pecando de lo mismo que hace un par de generaciones, entiendo que el poder de la Nintendo Switch te ponga ciertas limitaciones a la hora de realizar un videojuego como Leyendas Arceus, pero seguimos sin tener ningun tipo de audio en las voces, una historia que aunque es de loAunque este cambio en la saga me parece realmente un acierto en cuanto a la aventura pokemon, creo yo que siguen pecando de lo mismo que hace un par de generaciones, entiendo que el poder de la Nintendo Switch te ponga ciertas limitaciones a la hora de realizar un videojuego como Leyendas Arceus, pero seguimos sin tener ningun tipo de audio en las voces, una historia que aunque es de lo que menos se le exige a los juegos de esta saga, al tener la trama que tiene creo yo que nos quedo a deber un poco mas de lo que es el mundo en el que nos encontramos, ya que aunque nosotros lleguemos completamente de manera externa a este mundo ni siquiera sus habitantes saben mas que nosotros como jugadores, lo cual me parece decepcionante, esperaba ver diferentes usos para los tipos de pokemos, fuera del domestico, esperaba ver mas interacciones de los habitantes con los pokemones fuera del miedo y las infantiles interacciones que ellos tienen con ellos, puedo entenderlo ya que no estan familiarizados como nosotros con estas criaturas, pero en verdad me hace sentir que todo este mundo simplemente hizo spawn un par de decadas atras, aun sabiendo que tenemos todo tipo de ruinas y jeoglificos, realmente me decepciono el no poder indagar tanto como queria en las leyendasd pokemos pero al menos se siente como un comienzo.
    Al menos mecanicamente me encanto, investigar a los pokemons y completar la pokedex es bastante divertido.    … Expand
  10. PapaDemeritus
    Aug 16, 2023
    9
    definitely the best Pokémon game on the switch. it runs without issue unlike the others, the environments are well put together. the characters talking is hilariously bad and Pokémon is long overdue for voice acting.
  11. MoonSpeir
    Aug 15, 2023
    8
    Started a new playthrough of this one after being completely let down by the latest releases and underwhelmed by the recent Presents event last week. Legends Arceus is probably fairly close to the Pokémon experience people have been dreaming of since the 90s - it has large open zones full of species suited to the biomes within each zone, the Pokémon exist entirely on the overworld and areStarted a new playthrough of this one after being completely let down by the latest releases and underwhelmed by the recent Presents event last week. Legends Arceus is probably fairly close to the Pokémon experience people have been dreaming of since the 90s - it has large open zones full of species suited to the biomes within each zone, the Pokémon exist entirely on the overworld and are interacted with entirely on the overworld, the process of tracking these Pokémon feels like a safari expedition with campsites and mounts, allowing for rest and replenishment at any time along with the ability to scale any surface and cross all terrains. The new catching mechanic no longer requires initiating battle, with Pokéballs able to be thrown from any location, and the catch no longer having its own cutscene. Battles feel smoother and faster-paced with only brief transitions between screens and move sets, with turn order being influenced by the use of new strong or agile style attack patterns.

    The story is well thought-out and greatly enjoyable; you're a stranger from a far future land, sent back to resolve a paradox following the events of Diamond & Pearl (I think you're intended to be the player character from that generation, anyway). In this timeline, you witness the process of Pokémon becoming domesticated and you actively drive that process by conducting survey and studies to help people better understand and befriend those magical creatures, all while balancing an ideological conflict between opposing cultures and clans, and navigating the suspicions of the inhabitants of this ancient world where your arrival has coincided with numerous bad omens and impending disasters.

    The main town/settlement of the game becomes much more lively and populated as you progress, offering plenty of new customisations in the form of resources, crafting recipes, hair styles, clothing etc., with plenty of quests/requests specific to each unlocked region.

    Another highlight is the presence of the wider Pokémon series within Legends; numerous characters are very clearly the ancestors of other beloved MCs, professors, gym leaders, champions and villains in the franchise ranging from Johto to Unova.

    The visuals get a lot of complaints but I personally loved the traditional Japanese watercolour direction that perfectly fit the overall presentation of its historical aesthetic, one thing I will say is it definitely doesn't look good on a bigger screen - this is something that was clearly intended for handheld mode alone.

    Another complaint I have is the lack of a more sophisticated AI all round - the Pokémon do have a fair range of interactions with you and with each other, but not necessarily with their environment; some will roam around their own small areas and occasionally change their moving pattern or fall asleep, but that's about it - they don't eat, source food or drink, they don't bathe, play or communicate with each other, nor do they really react to the presence of other species including those that are known to be a threat to a certain typing (e.g. flying/bird species in the territory of bugs), this sounds like a minor problem until you take into account the game's premise is intended to be an investigation of wildlife, compiling a Pokédex by making notes and documenting various actions and behaviours that are now implied rather than shown. Much more consideration and effort should have been placed into expanding the behaviours of each species.

    Despite the main hub of the game being the progressively developed town, the NPCs feel completely lifeless as they never move from their original positions nor do they have any interaction with you or each other outside of existing to simply trade you stuff.

    Even with those above two complaints, the gameplay experience in general is fantastic and Hisui itself is a well-designed region offering much to see and do. I had hoped the new mechanics and format of Legends would carry on to future generations especially in the wake of its highly positive reception, but unfortunately it looks like it will be standing on its own.    … Expand
  12. sideshownate
    Aug 13, 2023
    8
    This is a bold and fun new title in the mainline pokemon series that I can not wait to be more of. Hopefully in different regions
  13. Jardanes
    Aug 8, 2023
    10
    Best Pokémon game released so far. Pokémon company was so close to making the perfect game with this one and then they screwed everything with Scarlet/Violet.

    Pokemon Legends: Arceus 10/10
    Pokemon Scarlet/Violet 0/10
  14. Matthew2008
    Aug 5, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A great Pokemon game maybe even the best. the story and were it’s talking place is fantastic characters good writen ( except melli ) it’s a huge leep for gamefreak to make an open world pokemon game and they nailed it hope to see more games in the future in this style. Would recommend.… Expand
  15. casple
    Jul 23, 2023
    10
    The best Pokémon game, must buy. I love it and you should buy it. The art style and the gameplay is insane.
  16. voiceofreason69
    Jul 22, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. That feeling of finally being able to throw a poke ball, that rush when you catch a Pokemon, and that feeling of being able to do anything, climb anywhere, fly anywhere, swim anywhere (with basculegion), this is the best Pokemon game of all time in my humble opinion. but I have only played three mainline titles: this, sword, and violet. and since sword is text filled, and violet is an unpolished bug nest, yea, its easy to see why I rate this better. Also, If you hate bad graphics, then you might not want to step into a Pokemon game past gen 5...
    9.4/10 but since rounding 9/10, would ABSOLUTELY recommend!    … Expand
  17. Miusux
    Jul 8, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is simply the best pokemon game I've ever played, a completely different proposal that caught me off guard and changed my view on pokemon, I hope Game Freak continues like this, with really challenging games that deviate from the norm… Expand
  18. Rab1219
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    One of the best Pokemon games EVER!!!!!! Absolute masterpiece!!!!! Amazing for Shiny Hunting, too!!
  19. bobisverycool
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. imo the game was amazing, i loved that the pokemon companie had the courage to take pokemon in another way, the catching feels natural and kept me for hours, i will not lie that this is my favorite pokemon game , even my fav mon is from here, i also found it suprising and was shocked for regional/past forms of the mons which let me down this rabit hole of trying to catch them all.
    the story to was good for a pokemon game, you being from the future and changing the past and the fun easter eggs of old characters having ancestors just made the cherry on top. 10/10 would recommend buy this not scarlet of violet    … Expand
  20. GandhiLover
    Jun 26, 2023
    10
    As a long time Pokemon fan I've waited for this game for such a long time. Actually seeing Pokemon in the wild, being able to interact with them in various ways, watching their behavior,... This is what the future of Pokemon should look like, an open world full of Pokemon and tons of ways to interact with them.
  21. Skuty
    Jun 22, 2023
    10
    This is what myself and many other Pokemon fans have been waiting for such a long time. The amount of ways you can interact with Pokemon caught in the wild and those of your own is truly wonderful. While obviously not perfect graphically, as a longtime Pokemon fan I cannot give this less than a 10/10, solely because I wish Pokemon will keep on going in this direction. PLEASE DON'T LET THISThis is what myself and many other Pokemon fans have been waiting for such a long time. The amount of ways you can interact with Pokemon caught in the wild and those of your own is truly wonderful. While obviously not perfect graphically, as a longtime Pokemon fan I cannot give this less than a 10/10, solely because I wish Pokemon will keep on going in this direction. PLEASE DON'T LET THIS BE THE ONLY LEGENDS GAME, WE WANT MORE!… Expand
  22. Dudeoninternet
    Jun 7, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love this unique game different timeline great frenzied Pokémon and spoiler alert the Arceus battle at the end is super intense but it is still fun… Expand
  23. PeterPP
    Jun 7, 2023
    10
    Fantastic game and a formula somthing i would like to see more of in the future.
  24. tju360
    Jun 4, 2023
    10
    Not sure if I was gonna like this, especially being a diehard Pokémon fan since the late 90’s. However, this is one of the best games in the series. The story keeps you hooked, the open world is amazing. Was really surprised at how much I liked. Definitely a must play for all Pokémon lovers.
  25. RatingRating
    May 28, 2023
    10
    This game is a 10. It switches up the formula of battling gyms to battling giant Pokemon. These were basically the Alolan Totem Pokemon done right. It also had a better post story than any other game. Also the only game where I did not immediately recognize the villain. I seriously thought that Volo was nice until he started saying weird stuff. The game even feels more open-world thanThis game is a 10. It switches up the formula of battling gyms to battling giant Pokemon. These were basically the Alolan Totem Pokemon done right. It also had a better post story than any other game. Also the only game where I did not immediately recognize the villain. I seriously thought that Volo was nice until he started saying weird stuff. The game even feels more open-world than Scarlet and Violet at some points. Specifically when you ride the Pokemon.… Expand
  26. Garde_Mystik
    May 25, 2023
    8
    leaving this as a placeholder to rate and in case i want a full review one day. tl;dr - i had a lot of fun with these games, but getting mission blocked after every boss felt like a chore to overcome. the game also had next to nothing going for it after i got arceus. you could either shiny hunt the easiest shinies ever or you could do a constant repetitive string of catching to completeleaving this as a placeholder to rate and in case i want a full review one day. tl;dr - i had a lot of fun with these games, but getting mission blocked after every boss felt like a chore to overcome. the game also had next to nothing going for it after i got arceus. you could either shiny hunt the easiest shinies ever or you could do a constant repetitive string of catching to complete 100% of everything imaginable in the regional pokedex. the eternal battle reverie was cool at first but ended up being far too easy as matches are limited to (1-6) v (1-3 with all pokemon being sent out simultaneously), and any pokemon being able to be used. you were also unable to leave without resetting your streak all over, which dwarfs the potential of customization. i really like this game personally, and am biased because it gave Sinnoh the story it truly needed. Gen 4's plots were so abysmal it's not even funny, but Legends Arceus fixes all the issues there were with it and creates something that represents Gen 4 lore well. if i factor in this bias, i'd give it a 9/10, but nah i won't here.… Expand
  27. rockzombie
    May 14, 2023
    8
    A great refresh taste. The Japanese art style grew on me a lot. Really hope they would continue the journey tho...
  28. JustAGameGuy
    May 14, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Easily the BEST POKÉMON EXPERIENCE since Black and White 2. One of the best stories known to the series, extremely fun gameplay, what’s not to love!?


    Pokémon Legends: Arceus is home to by far one of - if not THE hardest final bosses in the series. An incredibly tough 6 Vs 8 showdown, only available after catching several legendaries. The main issue with Legends Arceus is that once you complete the post-Game storyline, catch everything, and fight Arceus, there’s very little to do besides start a new file and shiny hunt.    … Expand
  29. Danikyo-Inverso
    May 13, 2023
    10
    La manera en la que se ha revitalizado la franquicia después del fiasco de la 5ta generación es algo bastante inexplicable para mi
    Toma los conceptos que funcionaron muy bien en Espada y Escudo, anterior juego que me gusto por cierto, y lo expande a nuevos horizontes sin perder la esencia en el camino
    No noto ningún problema notorio, por lo que le doy un 10 perfecto.
  30. onielf
    May 11, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pokemon Legens: Arceus é uma experiência única e imersiva no mundo de pokemon.
    Não posso descrever de forma tão simples como a chegada na região de Hisui me deixou impressionado. Os primeiros minutos, conhecendo a historia base, sendo introduzido na vila, e reconhecendo personagens que são "antepassados" dos que conhecemos em Sinnoh, são incríveis.
    Esse jogo tem muita coisa a oferecer, como uma experiencia mais estilo survivor, uma relação diferenciada com os pokemon, e uma exploração no mundo aberto desafiadora e com uma boa conexão sentimental que criamos ao jogar.
    No entanto, como o intuito do jogo é descobrir a região e os pokemon em um lugar mais "cru" e sem muita civilização, é comum sentirmos falta de que tivessem outras vilas, cidades maiores, e com diferentes estéticas e culturas (como é costume ter nos jogos principais da franquia), assim como um desfecho final da campanha do protagonista voltando a região de Sinnoh no futuro.
    Enfim, com tudo isso, Pokemon Legends: Arceus é uma experiência maravilhosa, e trata da relação entre pessoas e pokemon de uma forma mais intimista e surpresa do que fomos acostumados a ver nos jogos anteriores da franquia, então eu não poderia dar uma avaliação menos digna do que um 9/10 pra esse jogo.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best Switch Game of 2022
2
#2 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 118 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 118
  3. Negative: 0 out of 118
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 30, 2024
    80
    Definitely not a bad game. It handles its mechanics perfectly, and as long as it doesn't try to talk at you, you'll enjoy it. It's the first step on the road to new games with Pokémon on the cover, and the good sales could be the main reason to continue similar work and experimentation. [Issue#317]
  2. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Oct 19, 2022
    85
    Acreus came out just a few months after Diamond & Pearl remake. Isn’t that too soon? Actually, no. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the most innovative, revolutionary, and maybe simply the best Pokémon game of the last decade. [Issue#259, p.48]
  3. Nintendo Force Magazine
    May 13, 2022
    90
    This really does feel like a big step forward for a series that famously plays things safe, and I'm excited to see where the franchise will go next! [Issue #58 – March/April 2022, p. 72]
See all critic reviews »