Pokémon Legends: Arceus was released on January 28 for Nintendo Switch, and fans are calling it the best game in the series in years. The open-world Pokémon game introduced new mechanics that have reinvigorated the franchise, like exploration, crafting and side quests. The way you battle and capture Pokémon has also been given a major upgrade, and now catching them is tied to the story, as you’re tasked with learning about these wonderful creatures to build the first Pokédex.
Arceus changes what a Pokémon game can be, and fans are loving this brand-new way to experience the series. In other Pokémon games, you’re a wannabe trainer on a quest to become the very best. In Arceus, your goal is to explore the Hisui region — years before it becomes known as Sinnoh — and catalogue the wild Pokémon who live here. Hisui is made up of five major biomes, which you can explore as you please, and are connected by Jubilife Village, which serves as your base as you play.
There are also brand new types of Pokémon in Arceus, like Kleavor, Basculegion and the majestic Wyrdeer, as well as new regional forms of creatures like Voltorb and Growlithe. In addition to legendary and mythic Pokémon, Arceus also introduced a brand new kind of Pokémon: the alpha.
Alpha Pokémon are much larger than their regular evolutions, and have boosted stats that make them harder to defeat. Running into an alpha in the wild can be a genuinely scary moment — especially if it’s an alpha Snorlax with glowing red eyes. If you do manage to defeat an alpha, you can capture it and add it to your team to use in battles.
With so many new features, players have been talking about Arceus non-stop since its release, and their reactions have been particularly memorable.
The Best Memes About Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is available on Switch.
