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. Lukas10
    Jan 31, 2022
    0
    Good idea for a game but horrible execution. Game is just boring for the most part and story make no sense.
  2. Jelqing_king
    Dec 12, 2022
    9
    I really enjoyed the formula shake up. Dialogue was tedious but world exploration was fun and post game shiny hunting is really nice.
  3. Riiika
    Dec 11, 2022
    9
    Genuinely really enjoyed this game.
    I love the concept of Pokemon. But the games always felt a bit too restrictive with how you could move & how you would get pokemon! The whole sneaking up on Pokémon is interesting! And then being wary/aggressive to humans - makes sense to me! I love being able to explore this much!
    The graphics could have been a bit better, but honestly? They didn't    Genuinely really enjoyed this game.
    I love the concept of Pokemon. But the games always felt a bit too restrictive with how you could move & how you would get pokemon! The whole sneaking up on Pokémon is interesting! And then being wary/aggressive to humans - makes sense to me! I love being able to explore this much!
    The graphics could have been a bit better, but honestly? They didn't bother me.
    I'm currently almost finished with my Pokédex and research - but, even though I've already had so much fun with the game - i'm not worried about losing interest. Because the reward for completing the Pokédex & research - the shiny charm will only make me more eager to play & hunt down some shines (even though the game has already been quite generous with them even without it!).
    Though - the biggest thing I love about this game, is that you don't have to have 2 versions of it yourself/have to trade with anyone - you can complete the whole Pokédex with your own single copy! Since there is only one version of the game!    … Expand
  4. JulienK06
    Dec 11, 2022
    4
    Sadly the game is very repetitive after the first area, still fun but i miss the battles
  5. Redman_07
    Dec 10, 2022
    4
    Remove pokemon and it would be a 4-5. Nothing but hype. Gameplay is awfully repetetive and not demanding at all. Dead and empty landscape. Graphics, please. Holy. Stop celebrating bad games please!!!
  6. Sammyjsif
    Dec 9, 2022
    9
    Pokemon Legends Arceus is a fresh take for a series that had been in dire need of one. It does almost everything differently and succeeds in almost everything it tries to do. The open-world gameplay mechanism is something greatly appreciated and refreshing in a Pokemon series. It, of course, is not without its faults but it still stands strong even past those tropes. If you gave up onPokemon Legends Arceus is a fresh take for a series that had been in dire need of one. It does almost everything differently and succeeds in almost everything it tries to do. The open-world gameplay mechanism is something greatly appreciated and refreshing in a Pokemon series. It, of course, is not without its faults but it still stands strong even past those tropes. If you gave up on Pokemon because of how repetitive the series was then now is your time to hop back on.… Expand
  7. Scilence2392
    Dec 8, 2022
    9
    this series needs to not only continue but "blast off at the speed of light"
  8. Alebernard
    Dec 8, 2022
    9
    Excellent game, with mobility with the rides, battles with movement in the attacks, bigger map to explore, capture with the pokeball with the option of not entering the battle. More challenging bosses than 1st to 8th gen games. Little fps drop compared to Sword and Shield. Best Pokemon game since Heartgold and Soulsilver also Sun and Moon.
  9. IronWolfFang
    Dec 6, 2022
    6
    I have nothing against this game, good on Nintendo for trying new things, but its just too different for me. Bland and boring environments, weird gameplay mechanics, just not for me.
  10. Nightscape_
    Dec 1, 2022
    8
    Now this is a Pokémon game! Just picked this up a week ago instead of Scarlet and Violet due to their graphical and performance problems. I am happy I did, this is one of the best Pokémon games I have ever played! It has been hard to put down. How did they go from this well polished game to Scarlet and Violet that barely runs and looks like garbage? What a downgrade!

    It is not a perfect    Now this is a Pokémon game! Just picked this up a week ago instead of Scarlet and Violet due to their graphical and performance problems. I am happy I did, this is one of the best Pokémon games I have ever played! It has been hard to put down. How did they go from this well polished game to Scarlet and Violet that barely runs and looks like garbage? What a downgrade!

    It is not a perfect game, but it sure is fun. I love that you can see the Pokémon in the overworld and can battle right there; it makes the gameplay very fluid. I like that when traveling around your human character can be attacked by Pokémon and takes damage as it makes it feel more realistic (these are supposed to be wild animals after all). It also has one of the better stories in the Pokémon series; in fact, it might be my personal favorite. I actually remember the characters' names and their motives in this one! It is fun to do the side-quests to meet new people, Pokémon, and learn more about the game lore. Few of the side-quests are too time consuming and didn't complete them but that is my only real complaint about the game. I did think the purple shadow textures look off, but it is not that big of a deal, it just shows the skill and education limits of the game designers more than anything. I really like the pasture your Pokémon are kept in. It is neat to walk by it and see some of the different ones you have collected. I also like the Feudal Japan style, it really works well. And I have to say, the amount of clothing and hair options is the best I think I have ever seen in Pokémon.

    This game has a couple flaws but no game is perfect and the good more than outweighs the bad. It is like the game designers actually tried to make something fans of Pokémon would love instead of a soulless cash-grab like Scarlet and Violet.

    Seriously, skip Scarlet and Violet, vote with your wallet and pick this game up. It is pretty much what a Pokémon game should be.    … Expand
  11. Luky1996
    Nov 30, 2022
    7
    Un gioco gradevole che porta una ventata di aria fresca al brand ma con un comparto tecnico non all'altezza. Musiche e ambientazioni molto suggestive, il ribilanciamento dei livelli è stato molto gradito in quando riesce a dare al gioco una certa difficoltà che nei titoli main line manca da tempo. Un peccato per la grafica, meritava di più.
  12. Cloud_cipher
    Nov 29, 2022
    5
    I wish I could just do whatever I wanted from the beggining but of course pokemon/gamefreak has to give you a boring start then after 30 minutes of talking and almost endless dialogs. You finally get to set out on only the first place and have to unlock the other places by doing main missions.
    Story was boring but post game is alot of fun espicially when you can do whatever you want and no    I wish I could just do whatever I wanted from the beggining but of course pokemon/gamefreak has to give you a boring start then after 30 minutes of talking and almost endless dialogs. You finally get to set out on only the first place and have to unlock the other places by doing main missions.
    Story was boring but post game is alot of fun espicially when you can do whatever you want and no one is stopping you giving you a full history on something dumb like a rock and giving you 3 minutes of dialougue because of one dumb rock    … Expand
  13. HunterXJacob
    Nov 29, 2022
    9
    Wow a competent and innovative Pokemon game! Game runs decently well, visuals are nice. Thanks for trying something new and doing it well!
  14. LeJanman
    Nov 29, 2022
    7
    Es fühlt sich an als wäre es die Alpha Version von Karmesin und Purpur. Gameplay Technisch, sehr gut, aber Grafik, uff.
  15. hector_bcn98
    Nov 28, 2022
    7
    +
    Ofrece una experiencia Pokémon diferente al resto.
    Por primera vez completar la Pokédex es divertido, aunque requiere muchas horas de cumplir tareas innecesarias estúpidas con cada uno de los Pokémons. Poder completar el juego sin necesidad de depender de intercambios con otra persona: puramente singleplayer. A veces supone un reto a nivel de dificultad que pocas veces se suele ver    +
    Ofrece una experiencia Pokémon diferente al resto.
    Por primera vez completar la Pokédex es divertido, aunque requiere muchas horas de cumplir tareas innecesarias estúpidas con cada uno de los Pokémons.
    Poder completar el juego sin necesidad de depender de intercambios con otra persona: puramente singleplayer.
    A veces supone un reto a nivel de dificultad que pocas veces se suele ver en la franquicia.

    -
    La historia es absolutamente banal y aburrida.
    Las batallas con los jefes no son satisfactorias y suponen baches en la experiencia.
    Secundarias de recadero sin ningún tipo de interés.
    Conversaciones y personajes clásicos de la saga: te tratan como si tuvieras 5 años y fueras imbécil.
    Técnicamente es un despropósito, una vergüenza para las capacadidades de Switch. Debe ser el AAA más feo de la historia. Gráficos que dan asco, con un popping a apenas unos metros del personaje, expresiones faciales inamovibles, sin doblaje... Es un juego de hace 15 años. Que Game Freak siga teniendo la licencia de Pokémon y realizando entregas indignas de la saga y de Nintendo es surrealista, un insulto al consumidor.    … Expand
  16. xSpOokie
    Nov 28, 2022
    9
    Incredible game , a huge improvemet and the future of the franchise , great mechanics and gameplay , this game is the perfect game for that player who likes to complete the pokedex and who likes to plat games , 27 main quests and 122 side quests and pokedex objectives for each pokemon that is in the game , the side quests aren't boring and thats a very good thing cause it makes moreIncredible game , a huge improvemet and the future of the franchise , great mechanics and gameplay , this game is the perfect game for that player who likes to complete the pokedex and who likes to plat games , 27 main quests and 122 side quests and pokedex objectives for each pokemon that is in the game , the side quests aren't boring and thats a very good thing cause it makes more interesting , its more based on catching a pokemon for them or showing your pokedex entries , i recommend every pokemon fan to buy this game , however buy first pokemon brilliant diamond/shining pearl and pokemon shield/sword, because you will get two side missions that can get you darkrai and shaymin , isee a lot of people that are complaining about the lack of battles but the game tells you that the objective of the game and the story will develop arround "completing the pokedex" and solving mysteries about the legendarys.… Expand
  17. MetaOni
    Nov 28, 2022
    7
    Pretty Fun Game.

    Pros: -Fun Departure from the repeated gameplay of the other games in the series -Overworld Catching is fast and fun -All the ride Pokemon are fast and fun to use -The new Pokemon are mostly pretty cool -The battle/idle/overworld animations are a clear improvements -The Ability to fill up the Pokedex alone without needing to trade with friends Cons: -Graphics    Pretty Fun Game.

    Pros:
    -Fun Departure from the repeated gameplay of the other games in the series
    -Overworld Catching is fast and fun
    -All the ride Pokemon are fast and fun to use
    -The new Pokemon are mostly pretty cool
    -The battle/idle/overworld animations are a clear improvements
    -The Ability to fill up the Pokedex alone without needing to trade with friends

    Cons:
    -Graphics Look Underwhelming(Not Really Bad Just Kinda Disappointing)
    -I wish there were more new Pokemon
    -The Story is Boring and The Long Dialogue Segments Don't Help It
    -Catching Anything that Swims Or Teleports Is a Pain

    Other Notes:
    Alot of these things should've been added around BDSP or SWSH
    I still am waiting for real time battles where we can control and fight as the Pokemon
    (But that's just a wish not a con)

    Overall: 7.5/10 A Pretty Fun Game One Of The Best In The Series(Kinda Sad a 7.5 is best in the series material)    … Expand
  18. Jukant
    Nov 26, 2022
    5
    Meiner Meinung nach ist Legenden Arceus ein Mittelmäßiges, aber erfrischendes Spiel. Nicht mehr, nicht weniger
  19. CaptainCharisma
    Jul 29, 2022
    10
    This is the best Pokemon game since the N64 Stadium titles and a huge step forward for this franchise. Plenty of room for improvement such as better animations, cleaner visuals and more gameplay mechanics with less grinding would make the sequel to Legends Arceus a contender for GOTY.
  20. ElSmasher
    Nov 26, 2022
    6
    Pokemon Legends Arceus wants to focus the license on the open world. Bold for a franchise that has remained on its feet for decades. If the game has gameplay that is fun and inventive for the "open world" (in quotes). LPA suffers here from a catastrophic technique with poor graphics and textures of PS2. The level design is also weak, due to the low number of trainers and empty environmentsPokemon Legends Arceus wants to focus the license on the open world. Bold for a franchise that has remained on its feet for decades. If the game has gameplay that is fun and inventive for the "open world" (in quotes). LPA suffers here from a catastrophic technique with poor graphics and textures of PS2. The level design is also weak, due to the low number of trainers and empty environments most of the time. However, we will note some liberties taken like the pokédex system which is surprising and to see a different atmosphere to the main series.… Expand
  21. danipoli7
    Nov 26, 2022
    7
    After 25 years of the same formula gamefreak decides to try and reinvent the Pokémon formula with legends and it turned out to not be terrible. This game still has its flaws and probably the most noticeable flaw is the graphics. Now I know that graphics aren't everything but gamefreak seem to not even bother making textures look nice and this in result makes the game look embarrassinglyAfter 25 years of the same formula gamefreak decides to try and reinvent the Pokémon formula with legends and it turned out to not be terrible. This game still has its flaws and probably the most noticeable flaw is the graphics. Now I know that graphics aren't everything but gamefreak seem to not even bother making textures look nice and this in result makes the game look embarrassingly bad. The battle system has had a noticeable change with how you can move the camera around and actually move around yourself which is a nice refresh on how battles work.

    The story is alright enough but don't expect anything groundbreaking to keep you on your toes.

    Gameplay is really where it's at here as you spend a lot of your time roaming around catching Pokémon and filling out your Pokédex. The catching in this game is so good as your able to throw pokeballs at Pokémon without going into battle.

    Music is great as always with Pokémon games.

    Alpha Pokémon are a nice touch and add a nice difficulty spike as most of this game is really easy. NPC's are trash nothing more needs to be said about them.

    All in all a nice refresh for the Pokémon franchise but certainly not a masterpiece.    … Expand
  22. lks8492
    Nov 26, 2022
    8
    Really refreshing. Love the gameplay. It's necessary step for the franchise.
  23. jljosue
    Nov 25, 2022
    8
    A fantastic game, with addictive mechanics. Honestly, I was surprised by the difficulty and story of the game, and I'm very satisfied with it. I hope that future Pokemon games will have many elements of this game, because I think this is the direction that The Pokemon Company should take. Also, I hope that with future games they can improve the technical aspect, as that would be a big plus.
  24. Alex12345o
    Nov 25, 2022
    9
    A mi parecer es el mejor juego de pokemon hasta el momento, la mecánica y movimientos son increíbles
  25. ZYMROD
    Nov 25, 2022
    6
    Totalmente decepcionante en cuanto a historia, carisma, personajes y horrible tutorial. Y con ello tenemos una horrible implementación técnica y de rendimiento que sorprende lo mal ejecutado en una consola de su propia empresa. Lo único salvable son algunas mecánicas como la captura y seudo mundo abierto.
  26. TeOne
    Nov 24, 2022
    3
    Dopo aver incassato milioni di dollari, questi ancora fanno giochi con questa grafica... Invece di inverstire questi soldi in programmatori capaci, noi dovremmo comprare sempre giochi che tecnicamente fanno sempre più schifo? Vergognatevi, Game Freak e Nintendo
  27. KreyGame
    Nov 24, 2022
    9
    Es sin duda el giro que necesitaba la franquicia.
    Tiene sus fallos pero planta unas bases muy interesantes a desarrollar en distintas entregas.

    Este es el camino a seguir dentro de la franquicia pokemon.
  28. Shilach
    Nov 24, 2022
    0
    You haven't played it ? you haven't tried it ? You weren't sure about it ? WHAT are you waiting for XD It's such an awesome game! While personal taste, going to a more "old" time setting, is what I love most. So being in a pokemon game that took part in the past is amazing!

    Experience: It's great, interacting with pokemon, catching em without interacting is fun. Being able to craft    You haven't played it ? you haven't tried it ? You weren't sure about it ? WHAT are you waiting for XD It's such an awesome game! While personal taste, going to a more "old" time setting, is what I love most. So being in a pokemon game that took part in the past is amazing!

    Experience: It's great, interacting with pokemon, catching em without interacting is fun. Being able to craft pokebals like sweet! Pokemons being able to attack you, I'll tell you. I wish that there will be another title like this :) Hopefully jhoto in the past!

    Also for you people out there that NEVER got a shiny pokemon, this game will guarantee that you'll enjoy shiny hunting XD    … Expand
  29. eye-zitt
    Nov 23, 2022
    9
    The art kinda sucks, but this is the definitive Pokemon experience. The gameplay loop is very smooth and addictive, the story is decent enough, and there is a lot of personality in this game. If you like Pokemon, this is the game to play. The only problem with this game is that it doesn’t have any sort of multiplayer experience.
  30. SS_Ann96
    Nov 23, 2022
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Boring, repetitive and generally felt more like a proof of concept than an actual fully realised Pokémon game. Hated the battle mechanics and the boss fights. Only saving grace is the catching mechanic is fun for a while and the characters are mostly charming if a bit of a step down from SwSh.… 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 »