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. PkmnFan
    Jan 29, 2022
    0
    Absolutely embarrassing. Both technically and on gameplay level, there may absolutely be some player who can like it, but if this game didn't have the name "Pokemon" it would be blasted away with a lot of 4-5.
  2. OnlyOneHere
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    I'm shocked that the developers didn't continue the Pokemon tradition by cutting the game in half and selling it separately, in a pathetic attempt at making players pay more than $60. I am also surprised that even at their most generous moments, the developers still manage to be more greedy than some of the most greediest developers in the video game industry. The greedy developers areI'm shocked that the developers didn't continue the Pokemon tradition by cutting the game in half and selling it separately, in a pathetic attempt at making players pay more than $60. I am also surprised that even at their most generous moments, the developers still manage to be more greedy than some of the most greediest developers in the video game industry. The greedy developers are charging $60 for a game that looks like it was made for mobiles. It doesn't even have the AAA quality to justify the $60 price tag. The graphics are a joke. The textures are garbage. When I look at some of the rock textures, it literally looks like it was ported from a Game Cube game. That is embarrassing for a 2022 $60 game.

    The animations are garbage. The running animations are cringeworthy. The rain effects look laughable. There is nothing to do in the open world. Just an empty world full of plants, rocks and empty hills. That is so boring to explore. For goodness sake, why doesn't this video game series still have any voice acting? Unbelievable that there are still $60 games with no voice acting in 2022. The developers are too cheap to pay for voice actors. This outrageous greed makes EA and Rockstar look like saints in comparison. At least they put voice acting in their $60 games. Speaking of voice acting, the voice acting of the animals sound like they were done by the developers themselves, in a pathetic attempt at keeping the budget low for this game. The physics are beyond horrible, especially the water physics. The story is trash. The combat is boring and repetitive. When I pay $60, I expect a combat system with depth and detail. All the developers did in this game is put pretty lights during every move, to give players the illusion that the game is fun. None of that is fun for me. The soundtrack is terrible.

    There is no multiplayer. So once you beat the story, there is not a reason to touch this game again. Charging $60 for a game with no replay value is a cash grab. All you can do is trade Pokemon with your friends. The developers were too cheap and lazy to allow us to have Pokemon battles with our friends. I don't recommend this game at all, unless you want to support laziness. If you ever wondered what it would be like for a cheapskate to develop a game, here it is.    … Expand
  3. edgarnier101193
    Jan 29, 2022
    5
    As I predicted, same STUPID director=same stupid game. Unfortunately the fanboys will never admit it, they think they can call themselves gamers because they like pokemon lol. As predicted, I knew gamefreak was going to use the timeline as an excuse to not add gyms, trainers, championship (less directing needed.) Is not nintendo fault, is just that sadly gamefreak owns part of theAs I predicted, same STUPID director=same stupid game. Unfortunately the fanboys will never admit it, they think they can call themselves gamers because they like pokemon lol. As predicted, I knew gamefreak was going to use the timeline as an excuse to not add gyms, trainers, championship (less directing needed.) Is not nintendo fault, is just that sadly gamefreak owns part of the pokemon franchise.… Expand
  4. VDSmoke
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    Game looks/plays like **** Nintendo can do better than this. Theyre asking full price after all.
  5. rikgmr
    Feb 1, 2022
    3
    the score above 7 are pure fanboy, the textures are terrible, the tutorial is very long, you have to be 2 meters from a pokemon to see why, if not it doesn't load, the sound is broken, you can beat the game without fighting, except for 4 fights. you can beat pokemons that take 20 levels out of you effortlessly...the intention was good, but they have made a low budget Breath of the wildthe score above 7 are pure fanboy, the textures are terrible, the tutorial is very long, you have to be 2 meters from a pokemon to see why, if not it doesn't load, the sound is broken, you can beat the game without fighting, except for 4 fights. you can beat pokemons that take 20 levels out of you effortlessly...the intention was good, but they have made a low budget Breath of the wild impact, sad on the part of nintendo… Expand
  6. manujm23
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    es el peor pokemon que he visto en mi vida y los graficos son lo peor que he visto en toda la historia de los videojuegos, no lo compreis, es un insulto para los fans de pokemon
  7. KastusDiea
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    Grind, grind grind grind……
    Boring quests, bad Graphics, very bad animations, I hope GameFreak sees this Game as a mistake….
  8. BlueforceBV
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    A basic and worse copy of attack on Titan mixed with Monster Hunters.

    Game should be free to Play with these graphics and this story telling.

    It's monster hunters but it cost 60 euro, and is way less fun, worse graphics and no entertaining mechanics.
    Please save your money and go download a fan made version of pokemon, those actually have some story and fun to it
  9. Brenuin4
    Jan 30, 2022
    3
    Quick and easy review:

    - The story is not bad at all.

    - Empty and lifeless world.

    - Bad physics, textures and framerate.

    - Rough controls.

    - Terrible typography.

    - The worst open world in an AAA.

    - You have to be a hardcore fan to like it.
  10. Frank-byert
    Jan 29, 2022
    4
    Un buen intento por innovar en la saga , sin embargo es extremadamente decepcionante que game freak (compañia billonaria) no pueda manejar una buena dirección de arte.
  11. gabrields2000
    Jan 29, 2022
    0
    I think it is safe to say that the Pokemon games Fan base has become a cult of sorts at this point.
    Realising a game in this state and getting praise by it is downright disgusting. Dont get scammed for this game , this is a beta test for what could be somenthing way more polished.
    Dont get surprised if it takes another 10 years for something actually worth while to get release ...    I think it is safe to say that the Pokemon games Fan base has become a cult of sorts at this point.
    Realising a game in this state and getting praise by it is downright disgusting. Dont get scammed for this game , this is a beta test for what could be somenthing way more polished.

    Dont get surprised if it takes another 10 years for something actually worth while to get release ... thant you pokemon fan base.    … Expand
  12. Mylords
    Jan 29, 2022
    0
    Los graficos penosos, juego de dinamica muy lenta en el sentido que demasiado texto para poca jugabilidad. Y para mi opinion ha perdido la esencia de pokemon. Me esperaba un mundo pokemon como los demas juegos pero en mundo abierto y mas actual. No que siempre quieren empezar en llevarnos a epocas antiguas cuando lo que queremos es algo moderno. Bueno para mi ha sido una decepcion.
  13. ThBBoy
    Jan 30, 2022
    8
    Con diferencia el mundo abierto más feo jamás creado. Es una pena, porque en cuanto a mecánicas no está nada mal, y podría enganchar bastante, pero el diseño del mapa, totalmente vacío, sin alma lo echa todo a perder, ya que la mayor parte del tiempo la pasas deambulando por ese entorno tan deprimente. Esto mejora un poco cuando estás en algún pueblo, y te hace pensar lo bien que hubieraCon diferencia el mundo abierto más feo jamás creado. Es una pena, porque en cuanto a mecánicas no está nada mal, y podría enganchar bastante, pero el diseño del mapa, totalmente vacío, sin alma lo echa todo a perder, ya que la mayor parte del tiempo la pasas deambulando por ese entorno tan deprimente. Esto mejora un poco cuando estás en algún pueblo, y te hace pensar lo bien que hubiera estado el juego si mantuviese ese nivel en espacios abiertos, pero es salir de ahí, y de nuevo vuelves a sentir que estás en jugando un free to play en fase beta. Una pena.… Expand
  14. pikatsu
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    the same disappointment as every year, very low quality and ugly graphics, repetitive gameplay the same as always
  15. KrillerBomb
    Nov 18, 2022
    0
    The very worst Pokemon game ever made, absolutely rubbish graphics and soulless gameplay, same thing over and over.
  16. Imjota
    Jan 29, 2022
    0
    El problema principal no es solo que tanto gráficamente como artísticamente sea malo, además de eso es un juego con bugs, que llega a duras penas a los 20 pfs y que realmente parece inacabado. Si se tratase de un early access y no costase 60 euros podría estar bien ya que tiene buenas ideas pero mal ejecutadas.
  17. SecondClassClow
    Jan 29, 2022
    0
    It feels like a step in the right direction, and I appreciate the idea to change the formula up, but my god what a disaster of a rushed game. Repetetive mediorce gameplay, embarassing visuals, with no saving grace. All the positive reviews have to be paid off, no one in their right mind could possibly enjoy this game. It feels like a tech demo from 2003. It's NOT a complete game.
  18. miguelaceval1
    Jan 29, 2022
    0
    La "nueva mecánica", un despropósito que no aporta absolutamente nada al juego y, con total seguridad, será eliminada en las siguientes entregas de la saga principal.
    Gráficos no malos, exageradamente malos, peores que cualquier otro juego que he probado en los últimos 10 años.
    Artísticamente peor que todas las entregas de Pokémon, incluyendo las que no son de la saga principal. Gestos    La "nueva mecánica", un despropósito que no aporta absolutamente nada al juego y, con total seguridad, será eliminada en las siguientes entregas de la saga principal.
    Gráficos no malos, exageradamente malos, peores que cualquier otro juego que he probado en los últimos 10 años.
    Artísticamente peor que todas las entregas de Pokémon, incluyendo las que no son de la saga principal.
    Gestos faciales, corporales inexistentes y movimiento como cualquier alpha técnica de hace 20 años, caer por un barranco es lamentable.
    No son estables los 30 fps.
    Poca variedad y contenido.
    Suena bien, pero al tener tan poca variedad se hace cansino a más no poder.

    Todo lo que se podría esperar de los que más dinero generan en la industria, un reírse en la cara de un fandom sin el más mínimo vestigio de amor propio.    … Expand
  19. Volphied
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    "Veo esto y me imagino a los ejecutivos de Nintendo riéndose en un despacho porque a pesar de haber sacado un juego CUTRÓN en cuanto a gráficos, jugabilidad e historia lo estarán vendiendo como churros" vi este comentario en rrss y me pareció el más acertado
  20. gabids00
    Jan 29, 2022
    0
    By far worst pokemon game i have ever played , people complained about sword and shield and now praise this ??? Completly discusting ...
  21. PokeReviewer
    Jan 29, 2022
    0
    A very poor game. Pokemon Legends: Arceus breaks the traditional Pokemon formula that we all know and love. The game feels very empty, with almost no extra content. A big disappointment overall.
  22. chlxowns68
    Jan 29, 2022
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I tried to play Pokemon but I still see a lot of room for improvement.
    I'm looking forward to the next one.    … Expand
  23. aleqhz
    Jan 29, 2022
    0
    I'm disappointed. Barely any improvement from the two previous atrocities. The map is a barren wasteland. The game is infested with bugs. I'm done with this series. I just realised I've been playing this out of sheer nostalgia. I'd rather spend my money playing games where devs respect their fanbase.
  24. Rengoku
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    Best Pokemon ever without any doubts.
    - It's beautiful graphics almost made me cry.
    - The "open-world" looks so full of life, incredible detailed, textures made with love.. Lots of Pokemon having interesting interactions between them. - Story and mechanics are the best of the franchise so far. - So many things to do. Catch the same Pokemon again, again and again. And craft. - So many    Best Pokemon ever without any doubts.
    - It's beautiful graphics almost made me cry.
    - The "open-world" looks so full of life, incredible detailed, textures made with love.. Lots of Pokemon having interesting interactions between them.
    - Story and mechanics are the best of the franchise so far.
    - So many things to do. Catch the same Pokemon again, again and again. And craft.
    - So many love put into the animations.
    - Very cheap game. Only €60?
    - Etc.

    It's a must buy. No other Pokemon game achieves this perfection.    … Expand
  25. PokeReview
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    This may be the most disappointing Pokemon game ever. The graphics suck. The entire overworld feels empty. No towns, no cities, no Gyms, no Elite 4, no Champion, no extra content like Contests, Secret Bases or anything similar, very very few trainer battles. I don't know what they were thinking.
  26. Lorenzo3006
    Jan 29, 2022
    4
    Don't buy it, if you really like pokemons and want Game Freak to do better, it's the only way we as consumers can make the difference. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that every thing in there is terrible but we, as players, deserve better than this for 60€ (or what your currency is). If you like gameplay loop play Monster Hunter, if you like open world play Zelda, if you like pokemonDon't buy it, if you really like pokemons and want Game Freak to do better, it's the only way we as consumers can make the difference. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that every thing in there is terrible but we, as players, deserve better than this for 60€ (or what your currency is). If you like gameplay loop play Monster Hunter, if you like open world play Zelda, if you like pokemon battles play BDSP, what we have here is nothing to be praised.… Expand
  27. Mattaj
    Jan 30, 2022
    4
    I was hoping for Pokemon to finally catch up with times but it feels like they only developed a game that should have been released 10 years ago. It even further convinced me that publishers/developers of pokemon games only aim to milk nostalgic players and children who just started their adventure with pokemon. Minimum amount of effort for maximum amount of profits looks like has becameI was hoping for Pokemon to finally catch up with times but it feels like they only developed a game that should have been released 10 years ago. It even further convinced me that publishers/developers of pokemon games only aim to milk nostalgic players and children who just started their adventure with pokemon. Minimum amount of effort for maximum amount of profits looks like has became the motto for a while now. Still, could enjoy bits and pieces but I was falling asleep most of the time.… Expand
  28. Kroztty
    Jan 30, 2022
    1
    Por 60 dólares es un timo, no da ni para una beta, diria que lo pillen en rebajas pero es Nintendo, esas cosas no pasan aquí.
    De mal en peor, Gamefreak supera su nivel de ineptitud con cada entrega de la saga, para comenzar
    tienes un tutorial forzado el cual es absurdamente largo, gráficos y arte al nivel de un Indie de baja calidad y una jugabilidad no aprovechada. Las criticas    Por 60 dólares es un timo, no da ni para una beta, diria que lo pillen en rebajas pero es Nintendo, esas cosas no pasan aquí.
    De mal en peor, Gamefreak supera su nivel de ineptitud con cada entrega de la saga, para comenzar
    tienes un tutorial forzado el cual es absurdamente largo, gráficos y arte al nivel de un Indie de baja calidad y una jugabilidad no aprovechada.
    Las criticas positivas en su mayoría son de fanboys de Nintendo en general, argumentando que es un "pequeño paso" y llevan diciendo eso desde que la saga abandono el 2D.    … Expand
  29. Xroud
    Jan 30, 2022
    4
    It's an ok pokemon game, but it's not a good game. The world feels empty, graphics are outdated and pretty inconsistent, the story and characters are weak even for a pokemon game and once the novelty wears off the gameplay loop is really repetitive. This game really needed more time in development to create a world worth exploring and to refine all the new ideas, but right now this feelsIt's an ok pokemon game, but it's not a good game. The world feels empty, graphics are outdated and pretty inconsistent, the story and characters are weak even for a pokemon game and once the novelty wears off the gameplay loop is really repetitive. This game really needed more time in development to create a world worth exploring and to refine all the new ideas, but right now this feels like a precursor to a great game and definitely not worth the price tag.

    If you enjoyed the games before or have a strong connection to the franchise you'll likely enjoy it and appreciate the changes, but it's probably not winning over new fans. Hoping they actually take the time with the next one and run with the new ideas because it could make for a genuinely amazing game.    … Expand
  30. RileyLan
    Jan 30, 2022
    4
    Better than Pokémon Britian, but could have been way better. There's a whole lot of useless, empty space with nothing around to catch interest. Looks like the environment department took 98% of the texture & modeling budget, b/c while the buildings & such looks good the character models did need more touch up as lighting reveals the models' polygons on occasion, or characters' mouthsBetter than Pokémon Britian, but could have been way better. There's a whole lot of useless, empty space with nothing around to catch interest. Looks like the environment department took 98% of the texture & modeling budget, b/c while the buildings & such looks good the character models did need more touch up as lighting reveals the models' polygons on occasion, or characters' mouths continously open/close like a singing bass on a wall. Completing the pokedex is tedious busy work now more than ever as completion criteria is random & sometimes requires 40+ interactions with a single type of Pokémon. Models visibly appear/disappear when in/out of rendering range. Pokémon animation visibly tanks to 3 frames at a distance.
    The evolution animation is the best, and the music is top notch.    … 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 »