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. Blue9710x
    Aug 4, 2022
    6
    Exploring the many environments the game gives to you is very fun and improves as you progress through the game. Grinding levels and catching pokemon has been made a lot easier, making these essential tasks much less tedious than in previous games. I find myself really enjoying the game when I'm let loose in Sinnoh with the goal of catching pokemon. But the Pokemon Legends: Arceus reallyExploring the many environments the game gives to you is very fun and improves as you progress through the game. Grinding levels and catching pokemon has been made a lot easier, making these essential tasks much less tedious than in previous games. I find myself really enjoying the game when I'm let loose in Sinnoh with the goal of catching pokemon. But the Pokemon Legends: Arceus really struggles maintain that enjoyment when it keeps pausing the action to have a mid story being told to me by boring characters. This wouldn't be a big problem if I could skip the dialogue but I can't, and I'm left spamming the A button on my controller for 5 minutes to get back to the good part of the game. I also don't like the graphical capabilities of the game. I don't think graphics are an important measure to whether a game is good or not but the game looks very bad on a graphical level. During my playthrough I saw many visual glitches including a gyarados hundreds of feet above my character, multiple pokemon moving dozens of fps slower than everything else, and my pokeballs just not working to name a few. I feel that Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a solid step in the right direction for Pokemon but more care needs to go into the story and visual presentation for me to buy a future Pokemon game.… Expand
  2. L-B0X
    Jul 31, 2022
    9
    Pokemon legends arceus is the best Pokemon games in years it has great gameplay an interesting world and story that tells the origin of the sinnoh reigion there's aton of little Easter eggs but the main thing putting this game back is the technical issues such as the ugly textures and atrocious pop in seen throughout the game but over all as a game it's super fun and it's a very good gamePokemon legends arceus is the best Pokemon games in years it has great gameplay an interesting world and story that tells the origin of the sinnoh reigion there's aton of little Easter eggs but the main thing putting this game back is the technical issues such as the ugly textures and atrocious pop in seen throughout the game but over all as a game it's super fun and it's a very good game I can recommend to any pokemon fan that's been waiting for pokemons formula to evolve… Expand
  3. NintendoBoy28
    Jul 30, 2022
    9
    I was nervous about the graphics, but the game is so much fun you will play for the entire day. i'm excited to see the future of pokemon.
  4. gamgam
    Jul 29, 2022
    0
    Can Scarlet and Violet please be a game where I don't have to run all over the map 50 times to finds little purple lights and die 50 times trying to chase down a pokemon that shoots confusion inducing tornadoes at me before I get a shot at the primary legendary in the game? It's just not fun. It's not.
  5. megarock327
    Jul 28, 2022
    4
    To be honest, I really wanted to like this game, but Legends Arceus is lacking in most fundamental elements that makes a good playable in the year 2022. The Pokemon in the game are lifeless NPC that are not cleverly made, and they just do the most basic of movements with no interaction to the surrounding Pokemon. The quests that are given are a chore to do. The open environments are dryTo be honest, I really wanted to like this game, but Legends Arceus is lacking in most fundamental elements that makes a good playable in the year 2022. The Pokemon in the game are lifeless NPC that are not cleverly made, and they just do the most basic of movements with no interaction to the surrounding Pokemon. The quests that are given are a chore to do. The open environments are dry with very little to offer, and the frame rate is atrocious.… Expand
  6. MunhozMCM
    Jul 28, 2022
    7
    My Score:

    (7) - Good.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Yes, there are some major flaws with this game, but it is definitely a step in the right direction for Pokémon.
  7. HoliwiUwu
    Jul 26, 2022
    0
    **** game, graphics worse than nintendo 3ds, bored gameplay. Bored characters, bored game.
  8. Phuz
    Jul 24, 2022
    0
    Well lets start with the village. The music, I could literally haul myself out of bed, boot up my PC and knock up a better song in around 30 minutes. And that is on the generous side. The village song is repetetive, not good to listen to and made of about two sounds. Who did you commission for the music? Fisher Price?

    Next the characters, all of them. Dislikeable, annoying and    Well lets start with the village. The music, I could literally haul myself out of bed, boot up my PC and knock up a better song in around 30 minutes. And that is on the generous side. The village song is repetetive, not good to listen to and made of about two sounds. Who did you commission for the music? Fisher Price?

    Next the characters, all of them. Dislikeable, annoying and completely void of personality.

    The visuals I don't care. They're not great but visuals don't make, or break for me. The gameplay loop. I just didn't enjoy it. As with Pokemon Sword this is the same, in that it is very difficult to get in to whilst playing Cybersleuth. I'm not a huge monster collecting fan but it does fascinate me and Digimon is great. Pokemon has just been dire. I mean 2x £40 games and they're **** So just as with Pokemon Sword I am yet again going to lose money trading in some half baked game. I have so many eshop games, some as low as 99p that are better than this.

    I love the music from the old Pokemon games and started playing the new games for that reason. What do I find though, the energetic music replaced with some washed out crap version and on this occasion just crap music.

    If you want to collect monsters and are older than 6 then just but Digimon Cybersleuth/Hackers Memory. Half the price and twice the enjoyment.

    Again I'm going to have to drive when I'm ill, to lose money exchanging a piece of **** game.

    Metacritic really needs minus scores in the system because all this junk has done is cost me time and money and caused boredom.

    At least Digimon Survive will be out soon.    … Expand
  9. 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
  10. GregLobstery
    Jul 22, 2022
    6
    Really great concept, especially for a Pokemon game but the graphics are actually pathetic for 2022, even on Switch. The story is also painfully boring and characters are pretty 1 dimensional but that's standard in Pokémon. The gameplay is pretty fun for a while but it gets boring. The boss fights where you throw those bag things at the giant pokemon are actually some of the worst thingsReally great concept, especially for a Pokemon game but the graphics are actually pathetic for 2022, even on Switch. The story is also painfully boring and characters are pretty 1 dimensional but that's standard in Pokémon. The gameplay is pretty fun for a while but it gets boring. The boss fights where you throw those bag things at the giant pokemon are actually some of the worst things ever and couldnt have been designed by anything smarter than a drunk oompa loompa. Like seriously I dont think those parts were play tested at all. This game is fine but gamefreak is headed in a bad direction with how little effort they put into games these days.… Expand
  11. BoltSnapBolt
    Jul 21, 2022
    8
    The best pokemon game to date since the Heart Gold and Soul Silver remakes. Graphics aside, this is a promising step in the right direction and I look forward to how they improve upon this model.
  12. DolphinReviews
    Jul 19, 2022
    8
    I have been waiting for this game since Pokémon: The First Movie. Pokémon Legends: Arceus breaks the stagnant mold Pokémon games have been following since Red and Blue. The new catching mechanic and open word is something I have been craving forever. The new Pokémon are mostly great additions. However, the graphics leave a lot to be desired. There is also a lot of stiff characterI have been waiting for this game since Pokémon: The First Movie. Pokémon Legends: Arceus breaks the stagnant mold Pokémon games have been following since Red and Blue. The new catching mechanic and open word is something I have been craving forever. The new Pokémon are mostly great additions. However, the graphics leave a lot to be desired. There is also a lot of stiff character animations and the story is bare bones. The core gameplay is exactly the direction I hope Pokémon continues. The new boss battles are also a welcome addition, as well as, the large amount of side quests the game has to offer. Shining hunting is also easily the most fun it has ever been. If you are a Pokémon fan this is definitely a must buy.… Expand
  13. Lov3Glov3
    Jul 19, 2022
    2
    I honestly don't understand this game. The point of the original games was to go on an adventure, battling other trainers, collect badges and catch all sorts of different pokemon. Now, you're basically confined to one area, battling rarely happens (it's honestly a second thought), and now you are catching multiple types of the same pokemon. It's almost like the developers looked at PokemonI honestly don't understand this game. The point of the original games was to go on an adventure, battling other trainers, collect badges and catch all sorts of different pokemon. Now, you're basically confined to one area, battling rarely happens (it's honestly a second thought), and now you are catching multiple types of the same pokemon. It's almost like the developers looked at Pokemon GO and thought, "we can make a AAA title for this, minus the bonus of going outside and interacting with others." I honestly don't understand how this is making pokemon fans happy.… Expand
  14. blanerking
    Jul 11, 2022
    10
    I hate almost all of the new Pokemon games. The last one I finished from start to finish was pokemon x. This game tho... It's so different, but also what I've always wanted. So many options to capture and fight Pokemon, so many ways to move around the environment, and explore. I wish that there was deep caves to venture into and other advancements to the environment but despite those flawsI hate almost all of the new Pokemon games. The last one I finished from start to finish was pokemon x. This game tho... It's so different, but also what I've always wanted. So many options to capture and fight Pokemon, so many ways to move around the environment, and explore. I wish that there was deep caves to venture into and other advancements to the environment but despite those flaws it's still amazing.… Expand
  15. Crackfarmer
    Jul 10, 2022
    8
    Great game. Definitely not a 10, but not worse than an 8.
    10 would be unreasonable, 7 would be disrespectful.
    I dislike the forced completion of the Pokédex, who the fluff wants to waste time on catching/defeating useless Pokémon? LVL 10 Pokémon still deal quite decent damage on my LVL 35+, what the hell is that? Story is okay-ish, nothing too crazy. I approve of the older Pokémon    Great game. Definitely not a 10, but not worse than an 8.
    10 would be unreasonable, 7 would be disrespectful.

    I dislike the forced completion of the Pokédex, who the fluff wants to waste time on catching/defeating useless Pokémon?
    LVL 10 Pokémon still deal quite decent damage on my LVL 35+, what the hell is that?

    Story is okay-ish, nothing too crazy. I approve of the older Pokémon and not the recent garbage ones.    … Expand
  16. spreyz
    Jul 9, 2022
    10
    At first i was a bit held back by the graphics, but the game actually looks really nice, except for some problems which dont happen to often.

    The game itself actually blew me away, this might be one of my favorite games i played this year and is definetly my favorite pokemon games.

    This game brings me hope for the future of pokemon games.
    10/10
  17. Madbert
    Jul 9, 2022
    8
    Jan 28, 2022

    Evidentemente estamos ante el mejor juego de Pokemon que se haya desarrollado nunca, es súper entretenido y a nivel gráfico hay partes que se prestan a foto. Comprendo que haya gente que esperase más del apartado técnico sabiendo que la consola puede y este Pokemon está lejos de alcanzar el potencial que podían hacer. Dicho esto no voy a valorar los gráficos, Sencillamente    Jan 28, 2022

    Evidentemente estamos ante el mejor juego de Pokemon que se haya desarrollado nunca, es súper entretenido y a nivel gráfico hay partes que se prestan a foto. Comprendo que haya gente que esperase más del apartado técnico sabiendo que la consola puede y este Pokemon está lejos de alcanzar el potencial que podían hacer. Dicho esto no voy a valorar los gráficos, Sencillamente es el pokemon con mejores gráficos. Loq ue si voy a valorar es el repetitivismo de la saga, no puede ser a estas alturas que todos y cada uno de los Pokemon hagan exactamente lo mismo sin apenas ninguna variación. Sabemos que se trata de cazar Pokemon pero coño que el 95% del juego se hacer eso una y otra vez y que para colmo al llegar al final del juego, el boss o bosses finales te obliguen a subir otros 20 niveles de golpe para poder vencer al juego es totalmente ridículo (y frustrante por cierto) Le doy un 8 porque no estoy valorando los gráficos, la próxima entrega si lo haré porque ya ha habido un precedente.    … Expand
  18. Oleksandr_Levi
    Jul 6, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Це найкраща гра про Покемонів за весь час , чудові анімації , цікавий напіввідкритий світ , різноманітність покемонів та їх нові цікаві еволюції ,сюжет нарешті став цікавим . Полювання стало насправді захоплюючим . 11/10 отримав просто неймовірні емоції… Expand
  19. Cou
    Jun 30, 2022
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is a fun game all in all. But i harshly lower the score immensely due to the post challenges. As a casual game it is a 8 out 10, however when you want to finish all missions or quest. The quest they given is outright time consuming and not worth the effort. This might as well be a rant. The reason is. Who is the right mind want to spent their time grinding a wurole to lvl 100 just to fight a staraptor?? Just to get a badge?? Sure it gives it longevity, but this is so irresponsible for game freak to think this was smart and clever. This is probably why I lost faith in pokemon games... and sadly they are proving that fact firther down the line. I will however say it was a breath of fresh air. But it stop after when the grinding starts.… Expand
  20. Nintendist
    Jun 29, 2022
    10
    this is so GOOD, one of the BEST game on Nintendo Switch avaiable now. i really love Arceus
  21. lalahand
    Jun 27, 2022
    1
    It has improvements compared to SwSh, but overall still a boring game. Map is very empty. Zero fun for exploring the map. This game ask you to repeatedly catch Pokémon, which is no fine and tiring.
  22. MATOUTOU
    Jun 22, 2022
    9
    9.1 Beautiful game and has a similar vibe to BOTW. And thank goodness for alpha pokemon, now i can have a team full of alpha gardevoir and lopuny to gangbang me in my stunning player room. Thanks Nintendo :)))
  23. AShinyG1ratina
    Jun 21, 2022
    8
    Definitely the most fun I've ever had with a Pokemon game. The shiny hunting in this game is how they should continue to approach the aspect in the future.
  24. tigersfun
    Jun 20, 2022
    10
    This was my first pokémon game and it was one of the best game i’ve ever played.
  25. cfc1998
    Jun 17, 2022
    7
    I don´t know where to start with this review, when game was first announced everyone was so excited because this is definitely the right direction for the Pokémon saga. Unfortunately the game had big issued with the graphics, visuals and performance, and it was obvious that wasn't going to change before the final release. Its clear that Nintendo doesn't have the same care or love with theI don´t know where to start with this review, when game was first announced everyone was so excited because this is definitely the right direction for the Pokémon saga. Unfortunately the game had big issued with the graphics, visuals and performance, and it was obvious that wasn't going to change before the final release. Its clear that Nintendo doesn't have the same care or love with the Pokémon franchise, because the would never let a Zelda or a Mario sold in this state of unpolished and unfinished product. Overall the gameplay was fun, that´s the main thing, but the story was bland and uninteresting and didn´t make up for the technical problems of the game. And then just months after that they release a trailer for Pokémon Scarlett and Violet which makes feel this game as if just a tech demo of whats comming next. Disappointed with the final result, and this just proves that we have to wait several years more to get the real Pokémon game that we been dreaming as kids.… Expand
  26. MaxRh1608
    Jun 16, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ich gebe 10 punkte weil die Grafik nicht wirklich das gelbe vom Ei war und das Ziel allen pokémon zu begegnen dann doch sehr schwer zu erreichen war aber trozdem macht es dieses Spiel nicht wirklich schlechter außerdem war es wirklich mal was anderes im Gegensatz zu allen anderen pokémon Teilen (im positiven Sinne). Z. B das Kampf system oder die einzigartigen boss Kämpfe (Die Pokémon in rage) Außerdem fände ich den Kampf gegen Volo unglaublich gut gemacht weil obwohl man die perfekten pokémon zuvor für diesen Kampf bekommen hat war es trotzdem unglaublich schwer und hat Sehr viel Spaß gemacht es war auf jedenfalls ein einziges artiges Erlebnis und ich hoffe das die nicht so gute Grafik den Käufer erschreckt und sie es sich deswegen nicht kaufen.… Expand
  27. patnott
    Jun 14, 2022
    5
    I gave this game a 5 for effort. Game Freak actually did something a little different. I welcome the changes in how wild encounters work and the seamless integration of wild battles. That’s where the praise ends. In 2022 such appalling graphics is unacceptable in my opinion. I know Pokémon was never cutting edge with its graphics but even the widely panned Sword and Shield had betterI gave this game a 5 for effort. Game Freak actually did something a little different. I welcome the changes in how wild encounters work and the seamless integration of wild battles. That’s where the praise ends. In 2022 such appalling graphics is unacceptable in my opinion. I know Pokémon was never cutting edge with its graphics but even the widely panned Sword and Shield had better graphics. Only 1/4 of the entire roster of Pokémon features in this game. That’s shockingly bad I think. After you complete the post game there is nothing at all to do except shiny hunt. Overall I enjoyed the game to an extent but there is so much left out that it feels like a €30 side game, not a full price mainline game.… Expand
  28. Tikur
    Jun 13, 2022
    6
    First the obvious one.
    This game looks simply terrible. The environment with their Pokemon gets boring after a while and the only really aspect of the game is "gotta catch them all".
    There is a story, however it is another basic pokemon story although there are this time some highlights. The problem is, after the main story, the motivation to keep playing falls down rapidly. Because    First the obvious one.
    This game looks simply terrible. The environment with their Pokemon gets boring after a while and the only really aspect of the game is "gotta catch them all".

    There is a story, however it is another basic pokemon story although there are this time some highlights. The problem is, after the main story, the motivation to keep playing falls down rapidly.
    Because after the main Story with Dialga/Palkia the only thing which is left for you to do is catching Pokemon to complete your Pokedex so you can finally face Arceus.

    So to summarize it.
    The game only has two gameplay elements. Catching Pokemon and loot material to produce items and tools which helping you to catch Pokemon. The battle system is simple and boring compared to the main titles of the series. It is far away from being the big step forward fans were hope for.

    All in all it is with shining pearl and brilliant diamond a very average Pokemon title. Which is not worth 60€.    … Expand
  29. Wat926
    Jun 13, 2022
    7
    Overall not a bad Pokémon game. I’m really excited that they are trying out new concepts as the top down rpg style, though fun, is getting a bit repetitive in newer Pokémon games and remakes. I’m glad they are taking the series in a new direction.
  30. klambert
    Jun 12, 2022
    2
    This game had the potential to be so great. Alpha pokemon, the catching system for land-based pokemon, cyndaquil do be quillin'.

    Unfortunately, that's about where the good stops. The game looks absolutely terrible for an open world game. Damage is whack. Wild pokemon 40 levels below your alpha pokemon will wipe it in 2 1x effective hits. A wild alpha will wipe your entire party,    This game had the potential to be so great. Alpha pokemon, the catching system for land-based pokemon, cyndaquil do be quillin'.

    Unfortunately, that's about where the good stops.

    The game looks absolutely terrible for an open world game.

    Damage is whack.
    Wild pokemon 40 levels below your alpha pokemon will wipe it in 2 1x effective hits.
    A wild alpha will wipe your entire party, 20 levels above it, with one move.

    The maps load/render distance is terrible. They know the hardware of the system they made, do they not?

    Catching pokemon in water is hot garbage.

    Forced exp share is an ass idea that gives waaaaay too much xp, and yet, somehow, you're still *constantly* leveling random pokemon that nobody wants to use for no apparent reason to fill the pokedex information of pokemon you've already caught.

    The story is kind of meh, even for pokemon games.

    The "boss fights" are bad in every aspect, either being absurdly easy or zoning you in a corner for 2 straight minutes for literally no reason.
    All of this, and the game is still about a 7.9.

    So let's talk about the **** satchel.

    For absolutely no reason whatsoever, GameFreak limits your base inventory capacity to about 1/4 of the amount of berries in the game. The only way to get more is from satchel merchant, the single stupidest idea in the history of gaming. By the time you're spending 40k$ on a single inventory space expansion, you still can't hold every berry in the game. This continues, slowly increasing every purchase, up to a million. Why a million? Who knows. Will you ever have a million? No, likely not. Will satchel merchant ever have a million? Oh yes, he'll take it from you so you can hold more berries. Then, you lose items on fainting, and you can faint to a stream out of combat, for no reason other than shoehorning NSO where it doesn't belong.

    Now we're at a 2.5

    They also limit your starting pokemon storage space, despite insisting you catch every pokemon 17 times, though this does eventually start to expand on its own.

    They could have made this game so great. They improved a fair bit, then threw everything out with the baby and the bathwater to shoehorn in nonsensical garbage mechanics just because they could, and certainly not because they should.    … 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 »