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. Javsat
    Jan 31, 2022
    9
    I just can’t give it a 10/10 since the graphics are UGLY at times, its not optimized and there’s is more popping in this game than any other I’ve tried. With that out of the way (and also the rather long tutorial) this is a dream come true, the gameplay is very well designed for you to do whatever you like more … investigating/ completing the Pokédex, gather resources, train/ battle, goI just can’t give it a 10/10 since the graphics are UGLY at times, its not optimized and there’s is more popping in this game than any other I’ve tried. With that out of the way (and also the rather long tutorial) this is a dream come true, the gameplay is very well designed for you to do whatever you like more … investigating/ completing the Pokédex, gather resources, train/ battle, go for sub missions or remain attached to the main quest, all magnificently incorporated in a gameplay cycle that it’s gonna consume you. The variety of creatures and their animations are superb, the story is the best we have today (matching with B/W). Pokémon fans will love it, no doubt about it. New comers might have a hard time at the beginning but when the grinds starts y guarantee that it will not stop. Thanks Gamefreak.… Expand
  2. Brodester135
    Jan 29, 2022
    9
    What can be said except good job Nintendo! This may not be the perfect game for people, but it does one nicely done job and being one of the best pokemon game in years. Listen to the positive AND negative reviews. I fully recommend.
  3. Javi665445
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    The graphics are not great. Aside from that, this is one of the most enjoyable Pokemon games I've ever played. It might be THE most enjoyable. People are really giving it zero just because they don't like the graphics or the new forms.
  4. Bach2Zach
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    By far one of the most enjoyable Pokémon games I’ve played, going all the way back to Red and Blue. I do miss having a lot of trainer battles, however, the new mechanics introduced in the game and the story have made the game very enjoyable. I hope they can continue off of this game and make more with the new features that were introduced.
  5. Hixscr
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    Hands down the best Pokemon game ever made. It's everything you ever wanted. Can't wait for this series to continue!
  6. KrakenAttack
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    Excellent step in the right direction for Pokemon. Do not listen to the bad reviews. They are weak and shall be forgotten!
  7. ElZarco
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Como fan de Pokémon desde el 98, este es un gran paso para la saga. no puedo esperar a las siguientes entregas.
  8. smogg1975
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    A perfect example of Pokémon and it’s what I wanted after seeing the first episode of the anime. Even with the technical limitations of the Switch it expands the series in a great new direction and sets a roadmap for the future.
  9. pabswikk
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    A fun reinvention of the Pokémon formula, hopefully the next version keeps this change while giving it a better look
  10. Jakey92
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    I am absolutely addicted. Fantastic shake up to the formula and the best Pokémon experience by far to date.
  11. roychen
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    I enjoyed it very much, I love all the changes they made to this new Pokemon game. Best Pokemon game in the last ten years!
  12. HyperCynder7
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    Nah boludo este juego está re piola boludo Che este juego está buenardo papu
  13. SPARKisnumber1
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    Great stepping stone for the franchise, hopefully gen 9 builds on this! Everything in the world is so seamless and fun that you can sink endless hours.
  14. Urdrak
    Feb 2, 2022
    10
    This is a new masterpiece brought to the pokemon community. I'll try to go over the positive elements and things to improve on. I'll also try to make it free of spoilers too.

    "But things to improve on? You've rated this game 10 and it has things to work on?" Sure do! I'm rating a game based on the fun I'm having, and the urge to continue playing, and both those things are over the roof.    This is a new masterpiece brought to the pokemon community. I'll try to go over the positive elements and things to improve on. I'll also try to make it free of spoilers too.

    "But things to improve on? You've rated this game 10 and it has things to work on?" Sure do! I'm rating a game based on the fun I'm having, and the urge to continue playing, and both those things are over the roof. I'm having a blast, and the people around me who bought it too seems to be in the same place. So this is totally worth a 10 in my opinion.

    Am I giving this a 10 just because it is pokemon? Absolutely not. Pokemon in the last few years has been hard to finish, in the sense of getting boring before you get to the good part ( The end game)

    Lets start with the positives:
    - Catching mecanics are really fun, using items to lure in, stun, scare pokemon while having new pokeballs that play with distance and surprise is a blast. Even if I have every pokemon in my pokemon Home up to this game, I'm enjoying catching everything I see for the first time in years. Trying to catch a pokemon by surprise is also really rewarding and fun.
    - Overworld use of pokemon: Being able to chose which pokemon to throw in at any time is really interresting. Like preparing the right pokeball in case something goes wrong when catching, or knowing a pokemon of a certain type is hidden somewhere and using the best pokemon to uncover it.
    - Crafting and in game economy is meaningful, the world is full of resources to look for and the money has its uses so you don't hoard it ( Pokemon has been giving too much to players in the last few games, to the point where it's hard to spend it all)
    - Pokedex feels like you're really working on it, as it is not filling itslef on its own with just 1 encounter. While a good portion of it just fills itslef while playing normally, I often stop to check on the pokemon in front of me to see if I can work on something. The pokedex progression is also the game progression and it really feels like a fun goal to work on.
    - Combat: Some base elements makes it more refreshing, like status effect for example, none of them last forever anymore, but they have some other effects, like the new sleep: drowsy, that makes the pokemon receive more damage. This makes such moves more interresting. In the previous game I was running around with a thunderwave pokemon and catching most of my stuff with that. The strong and agile style are interresting combined with the combat timeline. It's refreshing while staying close to tradition.
    - IVs/EVs: are gone. replaced by a new system that is simpler. Although I didn't mind the old system, it was a bit tedious and getting redundant for me, so I welcome the change here.
    - Breeding, while at first I was shocked that it was removed, was a boring portion of the game in my opinion. While I wouldnt mind having it back with a bit of rework, I feel the game is better without it for this iteration.
    - Alpha pokemon, really fun little challenges to catch these everywhere. Love it.
    - Shiny hunting is now fun in this game, gosh, it's weird to say that...

    Things to work on:
    - The story, while it is a good story for Pokemon (I'm not feeling bored like previous recent games) but I'm not feeling like I want to rush to know what's next. Maybe it is for the better though because I've taken my merry time to explore and experience the world and THAT is fun
    - Competitive: They really need to bring battle between players in the future, it feels off to not have that option and it a fun part of the endgame to build a good team to battle.
    - Graphics: I'm not sure why so many people complain here, the graphics are ok, even if not on par with games like breath of the wild, they are still ok. Pokemon has never been praised for its graphics... The lightning seems off in some places or when it rains, but other than that, it's totally fine.
    - Battle with noble pokemon. While I do like the general idea and I'm having fun during these battles, its a little offsetting to throw food into a pokemon's face to calm it down. Like hell I would calm down if you threw me my favorite food in the face... The idea is fun to play, but weird as a concept.
    - Inventory: I don't mind moving things to storage and managing my inventory, but surely some things can be done to help that process... same for pokemon "boxes" I guess. I feel I miss a couple things to improve the usage of both of these.    … Expand
  15. PokemonMasterPM
    Jan 31, 2022
    10
    The best pokemon game I've ever played. The innovations in the game are very successful. Gamefreak has shown us what he can do whenever he wants.
  16. Top100Percent
    Jan 29, 2022
    9
    Best game in years, the fact it makes some purists mad shows that this game will affect the whole franchise for years to come, and better the experience as a whole. 9/10 due to lack of accessibility settings
  17. neomew
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    Best pokemon game of all time! New pokemon, new stuff to do, new ways to catch pokemon and better gameplay
  18. DistantKingDumb
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Remarkable game and that everything it does has a function within its proposal and system. With an enviable exploration and a way to interact with pokémon like never seen before.

    The big problem it has is the mostly negative fandom, in which... Attempts have been made to discredit it everywhere, unfair and incoherent comparisons have been made with other games, and they have sought to    Remarkable game and that everything it does has a function within its proposal and system. With an enviable exploration and a way to interact with pokémon like never seen before.

    The big problem it has is the mostly negative fandom, in which...
    Attempts have been made to discredit it everywhere, unfair and incoherent comparisons have been made with other games, and they have sought to glorify indies that blatantly plagiarize Pokémon as "better" when in fact they are inferior (see TemTem or Nexomon) out of simple hatred and resentment for a national pokédex... None of this helped them because the game turned out to be the opposite of the malicious prejudices that were being formed:
    -Well-made gameplay that meets in being fun.
    -Objectives and missions not are repetitive at all
    -Excelent music
    -Good story
    -Good difficulty curve
    -Good art

    There are many things that Arceus Legends do well.    … Expand
  19. Daitya
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    El juego me encanta. Pensaba que iba a ser un aburrimiento solo capturar pokemon, pero siento la emoción y los nervios para atrapar al que quería y huir de los pokemon alfas. Me encanta el ambiente, el mundo, los personajes, el crafteo, la nueva pokedex, el sistema de captura... El aspecto gráfico es mejorable, y si llega a estar a la altura del ZBOTW sería un juegazo nunca visto. Pese aEl juego me encanta. Pensaba que iba a ser un aburrimiento solo capturar pokemon, pero siento la emoción y los nervios para atrapar al que quería y huir de los pokemon alfas. Me encanta el ambiente, el mundo, los personajes, el crafteo, la nueva pokedex, el sistema de captura... El aspecto gráfico es mejorable, y si llega a estar a la altura del ZBOTW sería un juegazo nunca visto. Pese a todo esto, el juego es adictivo y te engancha desde el primer momento. No sé como harán los siguientes juegos, pero espero que tengan en cuenta todo lo que han metido en el Arceus y no den un paso atrás.… Expand
  20. Ocosu
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Overall, this game is a breath of fresh air. It brings new elements and life to a system that has otherwise overstayed its welcome for the last few decades. I genuinely hope they keep this fusion of RPG/turn based system for Pokemon games to follow as it allowed the player actual choice and actual exploration that felt rewarding to me. Whether that be in the form of finding rare items orOverall, this game is a breath of fresh air. It brings new elements and life to a system that has otherwise overstayed its welcome for the last few decades. I genuinely hope they keep this fusion of RPG/turn based system for Pokemon games to follow as it allowed the player actual choice and actual exploration that felt rewarding to me. Whether that be in the form of finding rare items or pokemon spawns, I never felt it was pointless to actually touch every corner of the admittedly large segmented areas.

    As for player choice, there were many times I had a marker on the map which indicated where I needed to go to progress the story which I just ignored. You can explore, catch, and train pokemon at your own pace which as most Pokemon fans know, isn't the norm. You can find rare items, pokemon, alpha pokemon, and everything else freely from your second time stepping into the fields which was really nice. Ontop of that, there are multiple ways to completed your pokedex. You can battle, you can capture, you can observe, or you can raise them yourself and learn things about them. You'll see a lot of people on here saying it felt tedious, but they had options. They just didn't explore them or take the time to read them.

    Of course there is a graphical downside, but I honestly never felt like it hindered my experience throughout my play through. It is an area they need to work on though going forward.

    Without going too much into it since I want this to be a spoiler free review, this game is amazing. I can't understand people who are trying to say this is the worse Pokemon game to ever exist. It is far from the worse and easily ranks as one of the best imo. I really hope they intend to keep this formula, because I don't know if I can revert to the old system in Gen9 after experiencing this. This is a fun game and if you actually read into the mechanics and into the side quest, they give you a fun idea of the NPCs take on the world, your character, and many other aspects.

    A lot of fun Easter Eggs are in the game too, so keep your eyes peeled for those!    … Expand
  21. FanFreak777
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    The Pokemon game we needed. I recommend it for Pokemon fans as well as those who have never played a Pokemon game.
  22. Kafkan
    Feb 21, 2022
    10
    El camino a seguir para Game Freak, no es el juego perfecto pero tampoco es un cero como he visto por ahí así que está nota es para nivelar esa hate que parece que existe hacia esta saga.
    Mi nota real sería un 8/10, gráficamente es flojo eso es indudable pero tiene muchas bondades que deben persistir en la saga si o si.
  23. poke_fan
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Gameplay is incredible, it’s a mix of Zelda Breath of the wild exploration in the vast over-world and Monster hunter style concept with the Pokemon charm. Totally blew me away. The story is top notch, the best Pokemon game ever released. It’s everything I wanted Pokemon to be when going 3D.
  24. SSZ
    Jan 31, 2022
    10
    This is easily one of the best pokemon games released in years, highly recommend to anyone.
  25. vbueso
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. El juego más infravalorado de la saga y posiblemente el mejor de todos. Nintendo y GF lo han vuelto a hacer años después. BRAVO.… Expand
  26. Tatsuya7
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    An incredible game, this was what pokemon lacked! It's funnyAn incredible game, this was what pokemon lacked! It's interesting and funny, I really liked it a lot, I really like it a lot
  27. jaapoor
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Amazing game, a complete revamp of the pokemon game concept. Though the graphics are slightly disappointing, this game more than makes up for it in sheer fun!
  28. Zeldiano88
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Semplicemente il miglior Pokemon di sempre. Divertente, immersivo e innovativo per la serie.
  29. ParanoidRED
    Jan 31, 2022
    8
    It feels really amazing to actually have a new Pokemon game where i don't already know how to do everything before i even start, capturing Pokemon is a whole new experience, the fighting is more dynamic and way less straightforward, the progression is very Zelda like where you are more of a Pokemon Researcher than a trainer. Overall this is the best way this franchise could possibile grow,It feels really amazing to actually have a new Pokemon game where i don't already know how to do everything before i even start, capturing Pokemon is a whole new experience, the fighting is more dynamic and way less straightforward, the progression is very Zelda like where you are more of a Pokemon Researcher than a trainer. Overall this is the best way this franchise could possibile grow, so excited for the future.… Expand
  30. kuiriz
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    Great Game a new experience i love Pokémon and i love nintendo exclusive, Buy now My friend
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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 »