Pokémon Legends: Arceus Leaks Don’t Bode Well For Gen 9

Recent leaks from copies of Pokémon Legends: Arceus have revealed several new Pokémon forms and evolutions, although their designs signal the Gen 9 titles may be disappointing. While some have speculated if the new Pokémon in Legends: Arceus are Gen 9, it’s likely the next generation of mainline games is still yet to come, since most of the leaked Pokémon are forms of previous ones, with only a few brand new additions. As no Pokémon games have been announced after Legends: Arceus, fan reception to the changes and addition introduced in the game could influence how The Pokémon Company develops its next title.

[Warning: Spoilers for Pokémon Legends: Arceus below.]

Leaks sometimes elicit a joyous response from fans and have the power to excite players about what’s to come. After Pokémon Sword and Shield drew some ire from fans as they failed to innovate as much as was expected, the Pokémon Legends: Arceus leaks showing new Pokémon demonstrate the franchise may be falling into the same trap. The new Pokémon designs are lackluster and questionable at best, which means Gen 9 Pokémon could also be disappointing.

In a Reddit post by Despada in the PokeLeaks subreddit, 25 new Pokémon models for Legends: Arceus are on display, including some previously not revealed in trailers leading up to the game. The leaked photo for the Hisuian evolution of Qwilfish shows a naval mine-inspired design, although the increased ballooning and elongated spikes, combined with the still small facial features, is awkward looking. The designs for the Sneasal evolution and Avalugg variant are bland, and players have already begun mocking Pokémon Legends: Arceus‘s Hisuian Typhlosion. The various uninspired and borderline uncomfortable designs present in the new Pokémon conjure worry for how the ninth generation of Pokémon titles will look.

The Pokémon Legends: Arceus Leaks Signal A Disappointing Gen 9

Recent Pokémon titles have drawn criticism from fans including the lower-than-expected graphic quality of Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl barely innovating from the titles it remade. Particularly worrisome is that Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the game that was supposed to breathe new life into the franchise, seems to repeat some of the same mistakes of previous games. Although the new leaks showcase eyebrow-raising designs, Pokémon Legends: Arceus‘s gameplay preview highlight the title is innovative when it comes to actual gameplay mechanics, which could be promising for Gen 9.

Rumored for some time, the game copies that surfaced online confirmed Hisuian variants for the final starter evolutions. Each of the three has its own problems: Hisuian Typhlosion’s model doesn’t have its signature flames and appears much more low-key, Hisuian Samurott has very few differences outside of coloration, and the Hisuian Decidueye’s face is almost completely covered and features awkward tufts of feathers in the shape of a beak in the nether region. Going beyond the starters, most of the other design changes are awkward or don’t innovate much and come off as bland. After the lukewarm reaction to design aspects of the recent Pokémon titles, it’s concerning The Pokémon Company didn’t use Pokémon Legends: Arceus to modernize the franchise and showcase newfound creativity, a disappointment that could extend to the Gen 9 titles.

While the leaked Pokémon designs fail to instill confidence in the brand going forward, the game still has promise. Even if the new Pokémon appear lackluster while still, their movement in the game could be more interesting. As no Gen 9 or other title has been announced for release after Pokémon Legends: Arceus, fan reception to the title could influence the franchise’s future.

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