10 Most Important New Features And Mechanics In Pokémon Legends Arceus

It’s nearly been one month since Pokémon fans were treated to the latest installment of Game Freak’s beloved series. Despite the Nintendo Switch’s already vast library of Pokéman titles, Pokémon Legends: Arceus became one of the most anticipated titles of 2022 for some gamers.

As well as looking at the Sinnoh region many years ago when it was called Hisui with some time travel involved, the game introduced many new mechanics to freshen up the twenty-six-year-old franchise. From open-world areas to explore to new ways to battle alongside your team, the developers were able to create and implement some important new features.

Strong And Agile Style

The battles across the games have remained relatively the same despite new inclusions over the years like Double Battles, Mega Evolutions, Z-Moves, and the recent Gigantamax forms introduced in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. But the new Strong Style and Agile Style will give trainers a new option when taking down the region’s toughest Pocket Monsters.

Depending on which style the player chooses, they can change the way their Pokémon will battle. While Strong Style makes them stronger but slower, Agile Style will make them faster but weaker. This battle mechanic could make or break a battle against the countless opponents along your journey.

Open World Areas

Despite the first glimpse offering the potential open-world game that longtime fans have been waiting for, it was revealed before release that the game would contain open-world areas instead of a full world to explore. Though this disappointed some, the designers were able to make the most of these areas.

From massive open fields with Bidoof walking around to snow-covered mountains where you can see the horizon, players can explore these areas in a plethora of ways. Add to that the size of them too and there’s no denying that this is easily one of the biggest maps in the series.

Hisuian Variants

Before the release of the game, several trailers showed off the regional variants of classic Pokémon with Hisuian forms. From the large Hisuian Braviary flying across the skies to the Hisuian Voltorb rolling around, many more were kept secret in the game for fans to discover.

It wasn’t a surprise to see these redesigned Pokémon featured in the game. Since Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon‘s Alola region and the Alolan variants, it was followed up by the Galarian forms in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. And with fans having ranked their favorite Hisuain forms, it looks like this will be a feature that players will expect to see in future titles.

New Evolutions Of Old Pokémon

Ever since the first sequels in the franchise, Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver back in 1999, new evolutions were created for some of the monsters from the previous games. From Onix evolving into Steelix and Porygon into Porygon 2, the games have introduced new evolutions to older generations of Pokémon.

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, six new evolutions in total were introduced for Pokémon from the first five generations. While some of them like Kleavor and Wrydeer were revealed before the game’s release, they are also some of the strongest among these new Pokémon species, giving trainers an opportunity to add one to their team.

Research Tasks

As the main objective of the game, players will have to try and complete the first-ever Pokédex. And while many Pokémon from the Sinnoh region can be expected to appear in this game like Bidoof and Starly, there will also be some introduced in this game.

But this version of the Pokédex features research tasks that trainers must be able to do in order to complete the game. From catching three Buizels to Shinx performing Quick Attack twice, this will improve the ranking and give everyone a new, fun, and engaging way to fill up every entry.

Noble Pokémon

Noble Pokémon are found across the varied areas that you will explore. Known for being powerful and respected, wardens are tasked to keep their areas secure and protect them from harm.

But as you progress in the story, these once peaceful creatures became frenzied and it’s up to the player to calm them down before they wreak havoc across the land. Using a variety of strategies and tricks, these will not be an average Pokémon battle as they will be able to knock anyone out if they aren’t careful enough around them. This alone is one of the reasons it has made Legends Arceus the best Pokémon game for some fans.

Crafting Items

Crafting items have been in Pokémon games before, but not in the same way as they are in this latest adventure. While players could turn different acorns into a variety of Pokéballs and use ingredients to make curries, they will be able to do far more this time around.

From recovery to support items, trainers will have to track down the necessary items required to craft them if they are to survive in the Hisui region. And the more items that are collected, the better chance anyone will have to create more variety of useful items.

Mount Pokémon

Like some of the other new features on the list, Mount Pokémon were introduced in trailers leading up to the release of the game. And these rideable Pokémon are extra special as they will be operated by the Hisuian variants and new Pokémon introduced in the game.

Each of these Pokémon introduced a different service for anyone to travel to their heart’s desires to some of the highest-ranked major locations in Legends Arceus. Whether it’s flying high in the sky or galloping across the landscape or swimming through the rivers, each one bought a new perspective that makes this an exciting new mechanic for the series.

Alpha Pokémon

Alongside the Noble Pokémon, Alpha Pokémon will also keep trainers on their toes if they’re not careful enough. As well as having shining red eyes filled with rage, they are also much larger compared to others that players will encounter of that species.

But aside from their intimidating exterior, they are also powerful and will take out any team if trainers aren’t prepared to face off against them. Not also does this new feature add more difficult options in the game, but adds the much-needed challenge that some fans of previous titles were missing during their many adventures.

Upgrade Jubilife Village

Fans of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl will undoubtedly be aware of the name Jubilife. While those games saw it as a modern city, Pokémon Legends: Arceus saw the iconic location as it was many years ago when it was Jubilife Village.

Acting as the hub and only settlement of the game, trainers will help to make it grow as they progress the story. From new NPCs to items to purchase, this feature to upgrade the village with the player’s contribution has never been seen before in a Pokémon game and is a rewarding sight for anyone to see their impact in this video game world.