The Pokemon Company remedied the lack of news for Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl during the Pokemon Presents direct from two days ago, but the most interesting bits of information arguably came from the trailer for Pokemon Legends: Arceus. In fact, Nintendo and the Pokemon Company really stepped up their game with Pokemon Legends: Arceus, making it a unique Pokemon title that implements gameplay elements from other popular franchises. Among them, what's most interesting about Pokemon Legends: Arceus' new trailer is that it shows how players are meant to sneak around and dodge roll, and sometimes this is the best course of action not to be knocked unconscious by wild Pokemon.
As strange as it might sound, Pokemon Legends: Arceus has several features that are reminiscent of Souls-like games, especially because of how aggressive some wild Pokemon can be, to the point that gamers who don't play it safe risk getting hindered in their progression. Some Pokemon found in the Hisui region can become enraged and attack the main character if not in a Pokemon battle, which can lead to players fainting if they take too much damage, likely losing currency, and also the possibility to face that one critter once more. This is not too dissimilar from what happens in Dark Souls and related games, whereas players have to be careful not to die because the Souls they gathered—the in-game currency—can be lost forever.
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How Pokemon Legends: Arceus Resembles Souls-likes
Pokemon games are not total strangers to mechanics typically found in Souls-likes, with a good example coming from Legendary Pokemon fights, where defeating that Pokemon prevents Trainers from ever finding it and catch it again. However, Pokemon Legends: Arceus seems more punishing than any other game in the franchise because players can faint during Pokemon battles. Having a good team is always going to be a crucial part of any mainline Pokemon game, but in Pokemon Legends: Arceus it's also important to have good reflexes and a different kind of strategic thinking when it comes to enraged Pokemon in the wild.
There's a certain dread that comes with games like Bloodborne and Dark Souls, and that doesn't only come from the setting and the ambiance, but also from the fact that even if death is not finite, it can be equally dramatic when carrying around lots of Souls. Then, there's also an innate sense of fear that can stem from a specific encounter gone wrong in the past, meaning that future fights against that particular enemy will likely be tenser because defeat is not simply an option, but rather something that did happen already. As such, Pokemon Legends: Arceus' wild Pokemon chasing the Trainer down or throwing special attacks at them feels dangerous in a way that is totally new for the series.
Regardless of what players will actually lose if they are knocked out by wild Pokemon, the fact that this can happen is in itself a major change in the franchise's direction. The story and the characters as well seem to be different in Pokemon Legends: Arceus and even the Pokedex entries seem to reflect a more mature and somber tone, with an example coming from Basculin's evolution, Basculegion—a Pokemon that evolves thanks to the souls of its kin.
Overall, Pokemon Legends: Arceus seemingly dares to be very different from all its predecessors, and that's a good thing. Pokemon games still retain their appeal even after all these years, maybe thanks to the fact that the critters can be so cute, and feel like pets. Yet, having a darker Pokemon game can probably be even more appealing to those fans who grew out of the series with the passing of time.
Pokemon: Legends Arceus is available for Nintendo Switch on January 28th, 2022.
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