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. MrPhalomo
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    Este juego es simplemente todo lo que deseabamos de Pokemon desde hace mucho tiempo, es verdad que sus gráficos no son lo último pero esto se deja a un lado ya que la inmersión en Hissui es total, hay mucho por hacer y ver y esto hace que Legends Arceus sea un juego rico y para mi un 10
  2. RatchetR23
    Feb 1, 2022
    10
    Jugue pokemon espada y puedo decir con certeza que pokemon legends arceus es algo completamente distinto, cumple mucho de los sueños de los fans y es sin dudas el mejor juego de pokemon que los fans habían estado esperando.
  3. CasualG1
    Jan 30, 2022
    9
    A breath of fresh air for the franchise, and by far the best Switch pokemon game.
  4. itsRindo
    Jan 30, 2022
    9
    This is a pretty great game honestly. After the cute but shallow Let's Go games and the AWFUL Sword/Shield games this is very refreshing. It has a very addicting gameplay loop, everything is fast and snappy and besides the first hour the game lets you play pretty freely. Graphical issues aside (mostly in docked mode, handheld looks pretty good) I fully recommend buying this if you're anThis is a pretty great game honestly. After the cute but shallow Let's Go games and the AWFUL Sword/Shield games this is very refreshing. It has a very addicting gameplay loop, everything is fast and snappy and besides the first hour the game lets you play pretty freely. Graphical issues aside (mostly in docked mode, handheld looks pretty good) I fully recommend buying this if you're an old Pokemon fan that fell out of all with the recent games.… Expand
  5. Thilo
    Jan 30, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Das Spiel inklusive von den neuen Fängen überzeugt…nur die Grafik ist schlecht…die Pokemon Animation sind mega und es macht spaß die Höhlen und weiten Wiesen zu erkunden… Expand
  6. Osterzone
    Jan 30, 2022
    9
    If you growth playing pokemon you will like it so much. Don't pay attention on the comments of the haters. Graphics are not so important here.
  7. Slimef41
    Jan 30, 2022
    8
    The game is not perfect especially in the graphics but if you do look past the graphics it is one of the best Pokémon games and probably the best game this year. Also stay mad verlisify
  8. Rafastc
    Jan 30, 2022
    9
    This new concept of pokemon is wonderful. The Monster Hunter-Like style broght a new fresh Air to pokemon franchise. This game has a nice gameplay and a magnific soundtrack.
    I would recomend this game to every pokemo fab
  9. Marcovoltaire88
    Jan 30, 2022
    9
    En lo personal creo que es una excelente propuesta para la saga Pokemon y le aplaudo intentar hacer algo nuevo. Se puede mejorar? Pues claro, como todo pero es un buen inicio y si te gusta Pokemon, en mi opinión vale la pena.
  10. Pjromeo2
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    This is a step in the right direction. Hopefully they incorporate some of these mechanics into the next generation
  11. Silaf
    Jan 30, 2022
    9
    The game we wanted for so long. The plot is more mature and the world interesting. Finally a story i'm interested in. Gameplay is fun and make sense in the story. You have to complete the pokedex and revive the village for a reason that make sense in the story.
    Grafic is the reason my score is not 10. Still is better than what i tought but inferior compared to other switch titles. A HUGE    The game we wanted for so long. The plot is more mature and the world interesting. Finally a story i'm interested in. Gameplay is fun and make sense in the story. You have to complete the pokedex and revive the village for a reason that make sense in the story.
    Grafic is the reason my score is not 10. Still is better than what i tought but inferior compared to other switch titles. A HUGE step in the right direction for gamefreak. I can even forgive them for selling me an incomplete/nerfed game with brilliant diamond/shiny pearl.    … Expand
  12. HellDiamond
    Jan 30, 2022
    8
    I love this game. This is what i hope for Sword and Shield. Grafics are bad but its Pokemon so what, i mean they made over 200 Pokemon whit new attack animation.
    I love the exploration (could be more Details to explore), and filling my pokedex :D
    I think its the right way Pokemon goes. Hope for other games like this one!
  13. Mynnigon
    Mar 9, 2022
    7
    The gameplay is fun and refreshing, however the graphics are terrible and the level design is absolutely uninspired. Even though the game is flawed in so many ways, the gameplay loop is very addictive and makes for the experience I always hoped for in a Pokémon game. For a first real departure from its standard all of its flaws are acceptable. Gameplaywise I hope the new mechanics will getThe gameplay is fun and refreshing, however the graphics are terrible and the level design is absolutely uninspired. Even though the game is flawed in so many ways, the gameplay loop is very addictive and makes for the experience I always hoped for in a Pokémon game. For a first real departure from its standard all of its flaws are acceptable. Gameplaywise I hope the new mechanics will get improved on and will be implemented in future iterations of the mainline series. However, Game Freak and Nintendo should also improve on their lazy graphics and level design for their future games, because those are a huge disappointment and are unacceptable for any AAA game in 2022 and onward. It simply breaks the immersion.… Expand
  14. Ssuperxl
    Jan 31, 2022
    9
    I personally love the game and the premise, but the graphics tend to catch my eye most of the times when playing a video game. In this game they are not the best, the game is beautiful in its own ways, but only if you are paying attention on what is near you.
  15. arnaull06
    Jan 31, 2022
    9
    Le fallan los gráficos mucho, pero todo lo demás es una maravilla, espero que la saga siga este rumbo si te gustan los rpg y pokemon has de jugarlo, actualmente se ha vuelto mi juego de pokemon favorito
  16. jdhende5
    Jan 31, 2022
    9
    This is way forward for future Pokemon games. No other Pokemon game has given me the sense of wonder and excitement that PLA has. This is the closest Pokemon has ever come to being a dream game. This is the first time I felt like I was fully immersed in a Pokemon world. There is so much attention to detail and the Battle Animations have finally got reached respectable quality. The game isThis is way forward for future Pokemon games. No other Pokemon game has given me the sense of wonder and excitement that PLA has. This is the closest Pokemon has ever come to being a dream game. This is the first time I felt like I was fully immersed in a Pokemon world. There is so much attention to detail and the Battle Animations have finally got reached respectable quality. The game is rough around the edges and has the smallest lineup of Pokemon moves, but without a doubt this game should be a benchmark for all future Pokemon main series titles.… Expand
  17. basilisco
    Jan 31, 2022
    10
    Good job!

    I am enjoying this game a lot. This is the way Game Freak have to take. Maybe the graphics are not the best but the rest is so fun and enjoyable. Sincerely I love it.
  18. WeebGoji
    Feb 1, 2022
    9
    Tbh, I usually play every Pokémon game no matter what even if it’s meh or ok. But this game is something else, I haven’t felt something from 3-D Pokémon since XD: Gale Darkness and Colosseum. This game gives me those vibes but better, even tho the graphics aren’t the best, this is what I wanted when it came to a open world Pokémon game, I hope GameFreak knows that I want more games in thisTbh, I usually play every Pokémon game no matter what even if it’s meh or ok. But this game is something else, I haven’t felt something from 3-D Pokémon since XD: Gale Darkness and Colosseum. This game gives me those vibes but better, even tho the graphics aren’t the best, this is what I wanted when it came to a open world Pokémon game, I hope GameFreak knows that I want more games in this style with obviously some improvements but this is something else. Only at 20 hours in and I’m not even half way yet, I love catching them all and doing the side quests that actually matter. Such a good game and I’m excited to see what comes later.… Expand
  19. TomTheGoat
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    This game is really cool. The mechanics are complex enough to make success feel rewarding, but not tedious at the same time. It has what you love about a Pokémon game reworked without all the repetitive stuff. The gameplay loop of going out and researching Pokémon and then coming back to the hub to manage your inventory, quests, etc.. is addicting. The performance is ok; it doesn’t ruinThis game is really cool. The mechanics are complex enough to make success feel rewarding, but not tedious at the same time. It has what you love about a Pokémon game reworked without all the repetitive stuff. The gameplay loop of going out and researching Pokémon and then coming back to the hub to manage your inventory, quests, etc.. is addicting. The performance is ok; it doesn’t ruin the immersion, but it could be better.

    This game has a lot of variation, it’s really an experience and gives the same feeling I felt when playing other famous switch titles. I’m looking forward to seeing the publisher build off this formula.    … Expand
  20. Gabrielchess
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    What an amazing game, the gameplay is just so fluid, it is the first pokemon game that makes you want to complete the pokedex. This game is a wonderful step forward to this franchise, the difficulty level is just perfect, you can get over-levelled, but the wild pokemon constantly tag team you, making it a 2v1 or maybe a 3v1.

    The greatest flaw of this game is its graphics, some textures    What an amazing game, the gameplay is just so fluid, it is the first pokemon game that makes you want to complete the pokedex. This game is a wonderful step forward to this franchise, the difficulty level is just perfect, you can get over-levelled, but the wild pokemon constantly tag team you, making it a 2v1 or maybe a 3v1.

    The greatest flaw of this game is its graphics, some textures are actually really ugly, the moves are actually pretty beautiful, but sometimes the trees, or even the pokemon are not that good looking. Besides, the fps constantly decreases, but not in a way that bothers you a lot.

    Since the game changes a lot the core mechanics, this game is easily the most noob-friendly game of the franchise, making the player learn about pokemon as they play.

    Overall, pokemon legends arceus is a fantastic game with fantastic mechanics, it's the closest we ever got to the dream pokemon game. It's not a 10/10 because we know the graphics can be better, but every single aspect of this game makes me want to play it even more.

    Update: What a fantastic ending arc, now this game is indeed a 10/10    … Expand
  21. marvelousmarien
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    This is a huge step for turn based rpgs.Its open world simple yet difficult at times.and for a company that only really made hand held games it a huge step.There is negative here but come on its a fun fresh new turn based experiance that i theory should get better
  22. Federx
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    this is the best game GF has made in more than 10 years. i hope they continue in this direction
  23. NinnyMugginz
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    I would guess most people that are rating it low for graphics haven’t played the game. Is it unreal engine 5? No, but it has its own stylization, charm, and the visuals are not nearly as bad as some people are claiming. Ground textures could be better, but other visuals are also quite attractive. The changes the game brings, the stunning and clean UI, sounds, music, maps, and unique storyI would guess most people that are rating it low for graphics haven’t played the game. Is it unreal engine 5? No, but it has its own stylization, charm, and the visuals are not nearly as bad as some people are claiming. Ground textures could be better, but other visuals are also quite attractive. The changes the game brings, the stunning and clean UI, sounds, music, maps, and unique story all excel so far. I know Game Freak and The Pokemon company probably have the money to hire the best of the best, but maybe they don’t want to do that and support/grow the teams they already have. If this is a giant leap forward for the innovation of Pokémon games, I can imagine the future will only get better.

    Decide for yourself, watch streams if you need a better place to form your own opinion, and be open to different gaming experiences. 4K hyper realism doesn’t need to be the standard for every AAA game.    … Expand
  24. iqreyesg
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Dont believe what rat fan boys says about PLA, its a great pokemon game, the graphics are not good (its a 2gb graphic card) but the big step its done. I love the game, it has everything that fans need.
  25. NEVROLOG
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    Отличная игра! Геймплей стал разнообразнее, нет этих коридорных путешествий и тренеров-соперников, стоящих у каждого угла. Чаще всего скучные и проходные битвы с гим-лидерами заменены на интересные битвы с боссами. Добавлена куча активностей: мини-игры, временные разломы, поиск сокровищ, крафт, поиск потерянных вещей другими игроками, споты с покемонами, где можно нарваться на шайника.Отличная игра! Геймплей стал разнообразнее, нет этих коридорных путешествий и тренеров-соперников, стоящих у каждого угла. Чаще всего скучные и проходные битвы с гим-лидерами заменены на интересные битвы с боссами. Добавлена куча активностей: мини-игры, временные разломы, поиск сокровищ, крафт, поиск потерянных вещей другими игроками, споты с покемонами, где можно нарваться на шайника. Графика, да, это минус, но она соответсвует стилистике, а игра и правда очень стильная в своей минималистичности. Но игры про покемонов никогда и не были про графику, а про геймплей. А он здесь очень медитативный и приятный! Очень советую - реально новый свежий взгляд на уже застоявшуюся на одном и том же серию игр.… Expand
  26. I_Trust_In_GF
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    To limit the quality of this game only to the graphics is to think in a very reductionist way, it is to limit the discourse in a mononeuristic direction that doesnt benefit anyone or seek any solution, only to complain in a destructive way without any reason.
    This game is surprisingly fun, vast and full of things to do, once you start the journey, it's hard to get off until you finish it.    To limit the quality of this game only to the graphics is to think in a very reductionist way, it is to limit the discourse in a mononeuristic direction that doesnt benefit anyone or seek any solution, only to complain in a destructive way without any reason.
    This game is surprisingly fun, vast and full of things to do, once you start the journey, it's hard to get off until you finish it.

    The prejudice that the general community has for the game could not be better described than with the word Unfair.
    Play it, and you'll know what I mean.    … Expand
  27. Reviewbrah2
    Jan 29, 2022
    9
    I was very jaded when it comes to the Pokemon franchise, simply because GameFreak fed us with sub-par/overpriced games for the last 5-6 years that also contained design choices that were simply put baffling. The continous targeting of a younger and younger audience made the games feel like shallow, not fleshed-out "mash A" adventures. This is why I had so much trouble accepting this butI was very jaded when it comes to the Pokemon franchise, simply because GameFreak fed us with sub-par/overpriced games for the last 5-6 years that also contained design choices that were simply put baffling. The continous targeting of a younger and younger audience made the games feel like shallow, not fleshed-out "mash A" adventures. This is why I had so much trouble accepting this but here I am: Legends Arceus is a very decent game.

    Story:
    Right of the bat you have a story that is more akin to Gen5, one where people talk about actually dying. Not to mention that you get send down to earth by god himself. The stakes often seem high throughout the story, like at the point when the 3 bandit sisters snag Growlithe and you have to rescue it. The characters themselves are mostly fleshed-out, sometimes (like in the case of the male/female counterpart of the player) they could have done more but all in all the individual characters motivations and behavior make sense.

    Dfficulty:
    Not too difficult, not too easy. In my opinion they could habe bumped up the difficulty of the game quite a bit more but it is a decent level of difficulty where you can't just mash A until the credits pop up, which makes it far more enjoyable. Especially when you go out of your way to fight higher level alphas it becomes a lot more challenging (e.g. I caught a 61 alpha Ninetales when my mons were around level 40).

    Gameplay:
    This game is hands down the biggest departure from the usual formula and it does what it does pretty good. The new fighting style is different and refreshing, the fact that you can just run around during fights and even get hit by both the enemies AND your own attacks is a very nice touch. The crafting is a fun side activity that gives you enough oi an incentive to collect most of the stuff along your way, which makes for a more coherent experience. I love that you can just run into higher level areas and even fight the mons there, it felt extremely threatening to run into that alpha Snorlax at level 42 right at the start of the game.

    Graphics:
    Yeah, they are **** The Pokemon themselves look clean if I'm honest, the attack animations also look decent and oftentimes even straight up amazing (like Hyper Beam, Hydro Pump or Blizzard) but the terrain looks like some intern did it in a blender. The grass looks worse than Mario 64 and the cliff walls look like they even glitch out from time to time. Yeah, Graphics are not the most important thing in the world but I would have expected more than PS2 graphics.

    Rest:
    The sidequests are fun and diverse. Yeah at the core they are often similar and some of them are boring as well but the games usually sells them to you like they arent, which makes them feel less repetitive (you even have one where you catch a guaranteed shiny which you even get to keep).

    You can put all of your Pokemon out of their balls in Jubilife and they even interact with one another. Such nuances never made it into the game or they were implement in a lazy way but it just makes it feel so much more realistic that way.

    All in all: Legends Arceus is a good game and worth the money. You will get a very breath of the wild like feeling where you oftentimes just run around doing anything but the main story quest.    … Expand
  28. Verlisify
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    Best game ever I really love the graphics and everything about it's great this might just be my favorite game of all time
  29. Adaddhhwj
    Jan 29, 2022
    9
    There are some room for improvement in this game, but this game is made progress
  30. Fush
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    The gameplay elements are very fun and interesting in this game and are a big step forward for the series, though the graphics could improve.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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 »