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. Danikyo-Inverso
    May 13, 2023
    10
    La manera en la que se ha revitalizado la franquicia después del fiasco de la 5ta generación es algo bastante inexplicable para mi
    Toma los conceptos que funcionaron muy bien en Espada y Escudo, anterior juego que me gusto por cierto, y lo expande a nuevos horizontes sin perder la esencia en el camino
    No noto ningún problema notorio, por lo que le doy un 10 perfecto.
  2. Vortecx
    Jan 31, 2022
    8
    Love this Game. Made an account just to give it a rating!. Just feels like it's heading in the right direction!. So many good changes that make the experience much better and new.
  3. Sturmfall
    Jan 30, 2022
    8
    This is, finally, a very solid entry in a franchise that has been stagnating for the last half a decade (being very generous). After SwSh, which was easily my least favorite Pkmn game of all time, and BDSP, which was, to me, an extremely pointless retread of an old game with very little in the way of anything new or compelling to offer, I was extremely skeptical and pretty convinced thisThis is, finally, a very solid entry in a franchise that has been stagnating for the last half a decade (being very generous). After SwSh, which was easily my least favorite Pkmn game of all time, and BDSP, which was, to me, an extremely pointless retread of an old game with very little in the way of anything new or compelling to offer, I was extremely skeptical and pretty convinced this game would end up being a mess. But, my curiosity ended up getting the better of me and I really have to say, I've been pretty thoroughly won over here. Ultimately it comes to the gameplay actually being quite compelling this time around, and it all comes down to the fact this game actually requires some thought on the part of the player. It's not terribly difficult/unforgiving or anything, but it isn't mindlessly easy either. You might actually need to think about type match ups, or what moves to teach your Pokemon, there might even be a bit of planning, resource management, and strategy at play here--in a Pokemon game! Imagine that, huh? Anyway I have no real massive complaints on the game itself, its quite fun, and not in the mindless, check a bunch of things off a list sort of way (even though there definitely is some that here). The only big shortcoming here is the visuals. I have never cared much about graphics, but I unfortunately have to say the game looks awful. Gamefreak needs more staff in their visual department and that's all there is to it. It isn't actively detrimental to the game in my opinion, but it's definitely going to both some people more than others, so be aware.… Expand
  4. Dany8
    Jan 29, 2022
    8
    El juego esta bien, renueva muchos aspectos jugables, quizás fató pulirlo más, como las texturas pero es muy bonito artisticamente. La gente que lo critican es porque o no lo ha jugado o le tiene mania a Nintendo.
  5. 12weren
    Jan 31, 2022
    8
    gioco molto bello a livello di gameplay e di innovazione ma peccato per il lato tecnico la grafica fa pena ma il gameplay è molto bello
  6. peetah
    Jan 31, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First of all: i didn't finished the game yet but i have an idea of how this game is. I am absolutely loving this game, finally some good attack's animations, a good plot with interesting charachters and lore, but i think that the best part is the actual open world, even if the graphic could've be better , the ambients are just fantastic. I love the pokedex mechanic and i think that is the real fun core of the game. However i also found some strange things that made me a little confused: As i've already said, the graphics are not THAT good, but this is not a big deal for me.
    There are too many useless praises to the main charachter that sometimes feel a little bit cringe.
    The game tends to be a little bit repetitive in some mechanics, like finish a boss then obtain a new level, then defeat another boss ect ect.    … Expand
  7. undeadmuffin00
    Jan 29, 2022
    8
    This has got to be the most fun I have had with a Pokemon game in many, many years. Here is some background for anyone who cares. I got Pokemon Yellow after I played a little of Red my cousin loaned me. I loved it and played though it 3 times. I was young and stupid and had erased the game by mistake a few times because I wanted to experience the beginning of the game. I played a little ofThis has got to be the most fun I have had with a Pokemon game in many, many years. Here is some background for anyone who cares. I got Pokemon Yellow after I played a little of Red my cousin loaned me. I loved it and played though it 3 times. I was young and stupid and had erased the game by mistake a few times because I wanted to experience the beginning of the game. I played a little of Silver before my friend wanted his copy back. When Diamond and Pearl came out on the DS I got back in the series after I had taken time away from it for a while. I Enjoyed Pearl and had completed the game in a week and played it for a few more. Then I tried playing the games that came after. I played through Black and had some fun. I couldn’t even get myself to finish Black 2. I played and beat Y over a weekend and didn’t touch it again. Sun was boring and I never finished, Let’s Go Pikachu, it was fun but couldn’t hold my old man attention. I gave up on Sword because it was a massive let down and after being someone who started playing the series in 2000 I was just kinda done with the repetitiveness of the franchise. So when I say it’s the most fun I have had with a Pokemon game in a long time, it’s not for lack of trying. Even though I never touch Y after that weekend, I always intended to return to it. Because I enjoyed it… At any rate this isn’t a franchise review it’s a review of the new game. A game that is has me thinking about it when I’m not playing it. A game that got me to roll out of bed on the eve of my 35th birthday and toss loads of hours into it and talk endlessly to my wife about it when I wasn’t playing. The only reason I won’t rate this game over an 8 is there are still problems with it. These problems don’t mean I don’t love the, because I do. It relaxes my mind in it’s repetition, it also frustrates me with that very repetitive nature. The fact that I have spent hours working with one Pokemon and still haven’t completed it’s dex entry highlights a massive shortcoming with the game. Most things need to be repeated 20 to 25 times and that’s a bit excessive in my book. As much as I love this game I'm not sure I’ll ever finish a single Dex entry. Also the story, while good, feels like it’s bulked out by characters repeating the same few story points over and over. To a point that when it happens I just kinda skip the dialogue until something new is being said. I don’t need to read where I have come from and what I did 6 hours ago over and over ad nauseam. On that the tutorial in this game is horribly long and handholding. Then we get to the graphics… oh boy, the graphics… I honestly don’t care. They look fine for the most part. Sure there is a bit of clipping here and there. Water and grass can look a bit outdated, but I really, really don’t care. I often find it beautiful to look at and while I think they could have done better or perhaps hid the graphics behind cell shading like BotW did I’m fine with them. I enjoy the game and at the end of the day that is what I’m looking for in a video game: enjoyment. I have played way too many games with stunning visuals and no substance whatsoever. I have played games with awesome stories but horrible controls that force me to stop. I just want fun and I find this game very fun, even when it’sa bit tedious.… Expand
  8. souma2312
    Jan 29, 2022
    8
    El juego de Pokémon mas inmersivo que jamás haya existido, el juego sinceramente cumple muy bien ya se necesitaba algo nuevo dentro de la saga y este mismo lo termino haciendo de una manera excelente, cambio mucha de las mecánicas que ya se tenían acostumbradas en la saga y se probo algo nuevo, en este juego sin duda te sientes en los zapatos del protagonista con una aventura Pokémon muyEl juego de Pokémon mas inmersivo que jamás haya existido, el juego sinceramente cumple muy bien ya se necesitaba algo nuevo dentro de la saga y este mismo lo termino haciendo de una manera excelente, cambio mucha de las mecánicas que ya se tenían acostumbradas en la saga y se probo algo nuevo, en este juego sin duda te sientes en los zapatos del protagonista con una aventura Pokémon muy diferente a la de otros juegos, la música es hermosa cada melodía que he escuchado se me ha quedado grabada en el juego, lo único que flaquea es los gráficos en general y apartados técnicos pero a pesar de esto el juego es muy disfrutable recomendable para todas las personas que querían ver algo nuevo dentro de la saga y para aquellas que quieran entrar en esta.… Expand
  9. Timenick
    Feb 1, 2022
    9
    Bad graphics but very good game. Lots of new mechanics and changes to the formular. This is the evolution Pokemon needs.

    EDIT: I am now finished with the game and I´m increasing the score from an 8 to a 9 because of the really awesome mounts. Swimming, climbing and flying is so much fun!
  10. SaveGalar-Hisui
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Just good, there aren't many other words to describe how well Game Freak has managed to deal with a new style of game. After polishing and improving the current system for years.
    Its a game that everyone has to play, only playing it is understood because despite the average graphics, one falls in love and has it fixed on the screen.
  11. Infamouswolf
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    The fans can never be happy. This game is fun and can bring new fans. This game doesnt repeat what the last previous games has done. Only problem is that it doesnt have good draw distance. However, this game is fun better then other games and will always be criticized because fans arent happy to get what they want. Sword and shield wasnt that bad of a game. People who dont play these gamesThe fans can never be happy. This game is fun and can bring new fans. This game doesnt repeat what the last previous games has done. Only problem is that it doesnt have good draw distance. However, this game is fun better then other games and will always be criticized because fans arent happy to get what they want. Sword and shield wasnt that bad of a game. People who dont play these games also criticized without proof (angry joe is definitely one of them because he claimed this is for kids yet he played animal crossing) so rating 9.5 but definitely a 10 because of its good story… Expand
  12. Ttarler
    Jan 29, 2022
    9
    The games innovative gameplay loop is really engaging and the world building of Pokemon lore is exemplary. The game is ugly but still has epic scenery and feels like a huge step forward.
  13. nbennick
    Jan 29, 2022
    9
    What a refreshing shift for such a beloved franchise. Can’t wait to see where they take this.
  14. Krg3000
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    Excellent game! Visuals do not distract from the incredible gameplay flow. The best story and gameplay loop the series has ever had.
  15. DoTheBartMan
    Jan 29, 2022
    9
    I love what Game Freak tried with this game

    They need to stop phasing out Pokémon as it would add more variety
  16. EastGwilly
    Jan 29, 2022
    8
    Started playing today and so far so good. This is my first pokemon game since red. It's a huge map with hundreds of critters w/ different behaviors. Fight or capture. This will keep me satisfied for a few hours for sure.
  17. 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.
  18. Masters33ch
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    I never expected a pokemon game to grab me like the days of old. Been sort of going through the motions with previous titles of the mainline games but this one has me going deeper into it. Great to see the changes. Graphics be damned if the game is good it's ok it's not the prettiest one at the PokeBall.
  19. SWSH_BestGen
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    A game completely up to the circumstances and that meets every expectation
    Pokémon on Switch is simply on fire, with each game the franchise gets better.
  20. Danikyo3sBasura
    Feb 1, 2022
    10
    El tutorial me parece estándar dentro de la franquicia, accesible y explica todo bien, no es necesariamente malo que dure algunas horas, porque en un RPG tan complejo de masterizar como es Pokémon, es necesario aclarar todo antes de dejarte rienda suelta al jugador.
    Explorar el mundo es un deleite, tanto por los colores, la hermosa vegetación, y la cantidad apabullante de pokémon que    El tutorial me parece estándar dentro de la franquicia, accesible y explica todo bien, no es necesariamente malo que dure algunas horas, porque en un RPG tan complejo de masterizar como es Pokémon, es necesario aclarar todo antes de dejarte rienda suelta al jugador.
    Explorar el mundo es un deleite, tanto por los colores, la hermosa vegetación, y la cantidad apabullante de pokémon que interactúan y EXISTEN dentro del entorno, tal cual como lo haría un animal en la vida real.

    El sistema de combate ha sido simplificado, pero de manera concienzuda para ser mas difícil respecto al reto de pokémon mas salvajes, algo que en toda la saga ha sido demasiado fácil.

    La progresión, las misiones, todo te hace experimentar cosas nuevas, y los personajes están hechos con mucho mimo.
    Yo recomendaría no quedarse solo con los gráficos, este juego es mucho mas que eso, y los que de verdad aprecian Pokémon, y comprendan sus tradiciones, gozaran como unos críos.
    La opinion mas correcta es celebrar este titulo como algo grande.    … Expand
  21. GregoFMP
    Jan 29, 2022
    8
    Los graficos son un desastre, y el tutorial es largo y tedioso. Y hasta ahi van los puntos malos, es el mejor pokémon en muchisimos años, el nuevo gameplay es muy divertido, el mundo abierto es basicamente lo que tendría que haber sido el wild area en Espada/Escudo. Explorar las diferentes areas resulta muy divertido y el juego te recompensa por ello.
    Yo entiendo que no te pueda gustar,    Los graficos son un desastre, y el tutorial es largo y tedioso. Y hasta ahi van los puntos malos, es el mejor pokémon en muchisimos años, el nuevo gameplay es muy divertido, el mundo abierto es basicamente lo que tendría que haber sido el wild area en Espada/Escudo. Explorar las diferentes areas resulta muy divertido y el juego te recompensa por ello.
    Yo entiendo que no te pueda gustar, pero el nivel de hate que esta recibiendo por algunos personajes es completamente injustificado, gente que le da un 1 porque un juego que no pensaban jugar tiene malos gráficos. Esa misma gente que esta bajando el puntaje del usuario de Metacritic, que le molesta que los demas disfruten un juego.    … Expand
  22. redwintersun
    Jan 29, 2022
    8
    Almost 20 hours in and loving it! The battle mechanics are great and the fact that some wild Pokémon are out for your blood as soon as they see you is both hilarious and terrifying. The only downside for me is the graphics, the water especially. Overall, a breath of fresh air for the franchise.
  23. DaPlant
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Pokémon Legends: Arceus manages to re-work the stale formula of the mainline Pokémon series which hasn't been well received in nearly two decades. The game finds a way to blend more Pokémon Go-esc mechanics with the traditional Pokémon battle system almost seamlessly into open environments to the point where I never got tired of trying to catch everything I could find.

    Unfortunately,    Pokémon Legends: Arceus manages to re-work the stale formula of the mainline Pokémon series which hasn't been well received in nearly two decades. The game finds a way to blend more Pokémon Go-esc mechanics with the traditional Pokémon battle system almost seamlessly into open environments to the point where I never got tired of trying to catch everything I could find.

    Unfortunately, the game does have to make some sacrifices to allow for its likely short development time due to the Pokémon Company's eagerness to get games out quickly. This is most apparent when judging the game from a graphical perspective which, for a game that feels like it should like nice due to its attempts at BOTW-esc environments, it absolutely fails... look at it more as if BOTW were for the Wii (although do keep in mind that footage of the game likely looks far worse than the game itself since for example Youtube compression hardcore messes up the grass) . Additionally, there are only about 240 or so Pokémon which is seems a little disappointing but considering they actually gave them new animations and worked them into the game's world that much more would just feel impossible to implement in only a few years.

    Regardless of its flaws, the game still comes out to be a ton of fun with its new gameplay loop and intriguing story and still earns a high rating in my book.    … Expand
  24. butter_k
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    The new system gives very new fun. The fun of collecting has doubled than before. Difficulty levels bring interest to the game.
  25. Oliver45
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Esta muy bueno y es la dirección correcta que debe seguir la franquicia. Ojalá para el próximo juego puedan arreglar las carencias gráficas, pero manteniendo todas las mecánicas de este titulo y profundisarlas.
  26. frojj123
    Jan 29, 2022
    9
    I just think it's neat. Is it perfect? No, not by a long shot. However, it's (subjective) a very fun game and shouldn't necessarily be pushed aside just for its looks
  27. Blastroid
    Jan 30, 2022
    8
    Un juego entretenido, las mecánicas y todo lo que siempre se quizo de Pokémon como la libertad y las capturas se siente más fresco que nunca, los Pokémon reaccionan y hay animaciones mejores en muchos Pokémon y personajes, es un buen paso en la dirección correcta hacia la saga, aunque hay un enorme pero y eso es los gráficos, si es algo que todos hablan pero la realidad es que el apartadoUn juego entretenido, las mecánicas y todo lo que siempre se quizo de Pokémon como la libertad y las capturas se siente más fresco que nunca, los Pokémon reaccionan y hay animaciones mejores en muchos Pokémon y personajes, es un buen paso en la dirección correcta hacia la saga, aunque hay un enorme pero y eso es los gráficos, si es algo que todos hablan pero la realidad es que el apartado gráfico le resta puntos debido a que ya se han visto mejores cosas correr en la switch y Gamefreak pudo tomar otro año para desarrollar ese apartado, aunque si la empresa toma eso como lección entonces esperemos que la saga vaya por un mejor camino en el que todo se vea bien y se sienta bien en conjunto… Expand
  28. takayun
    Jan 30, 2022
    9
    今までとは違った形のポケモンで楽しかった
    ポケモン達が活き活きとそこで暮らしていてそれを眺めるのも楽しい
  29. Vaishnenth
    Jan 30, 2022
    10
    A new world to experience. Love the new features. It's worth my time. I really enjoyed it.
  30. Stoin
    Jan 30, 2022
    8
    The game is not perfect by far, for me mainly the graphics are the greatest point of disappointment. If only they would have taken a little longer to polish it out but alas. I can look over it however since I think the game is the best and funniest Pokémon game since the Nintendo DS days. It's also the first game in a long time that I can truly play for hours on end, Day after day.The game is not perfect by far, for me mainly the graphics are the greatest point of disappointment. If only they would have taken a little longer to polish it out but alas. I can look over it however since I think the game is the best and funniest Pokémon game since the Nintendo DS days. It's also the first game in a long time that I can truly play for hours on end, Day after day. Hatching a plan to sneak up to a strong Pokémon you don't really want to fight but still catch and seeing that plan work out is the best thing ever. And even when you fail there is still something to learn from that failure to apply the next time. The AI and wild Pokémon also feel stronger then other games, which for me is a huge plus. Makes you really think about what team you're gonna bring when going into the wild.
    TLTR : even though not perfect still a very fun game and super refreshing for the Pokémon franchise. I'm excited to see what they'll do next with this !    … 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 »