After being revealed in 2021, Nintendo and Game Freak are finally set to release Pokemon Legends: Arceus for the Nintendo Switch on January 28. In the weeks leading up to that date, it’s only natural for Nintendo to ramp up its marketing efforts for the game. But, of the smorgasbord of new info about Pokemon Legends: Arceus these past few months, Nintendo’s latest promo in Japan has got to be one of the most breathtaking trailers for the game yet.
Are you ready for Pokemon Legends: Arceus?
It’s no secret that long-time Pokemon fans have longed for a different kind of game that would help shake up the franchise. Arceus appears to address several complaints that Pokefans have had in recent years. Even if Arceus will retain the turn-based combat, it’s going to switch things up in terms of gameplay and how the game works. For one, Arceus features a central base, Jubilife Village, where players can accept assignments and/or quests from other villagers. Meanwhile, Hisui’s wild Pokemon will sneak up and kill you if you’re not careful about your surroundings. With Game Freak back in the lead - ILCA worked on 2021’s Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl - fans are expecting a lot from Arceus. Only time will tell if Arceus can change the standard Pokemon formula going forward. But, it should at least provide much more of a challenge as the Pokemon have no problems defending themselves this time around. Despite all the uncertainty about the risk that Game Freak and The Pokemon Company are taking with Arceus, one thing that’s for sure is that Arceus looks gorgeous. Ever since its announcement, fans have joked that Arceus is Pokemon’s answer to Breath of the Wild from the Legend of Zelda franchise. The latest promo, which you can see above, certainly isn’t afraid to lean into the joke. The video shows how players can use Pokemon to do everything from traveling on the water to flying past volcanoes, among others. If the goal of the promo was to impress players with how large Hisui feels in Arceus, then Game Freak can pat itself in the back. At the end of the day, visuals are just part of the story. Arceus will have to deliver a complete package if it is to reinvent and evolve the Pokemon formula. The good news is that fans don’t have to wait for too long to find out. Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set to hit the Nintendo Switch on January 28. In other Nintendo news, Nintendo Japan President Shuntaro Furukawa just confirmed that fans should expect a shortage to hit the Nintendo Switch in 2022. But, don’t worry. Nintendo stocked up enough for the holiday season, and there will still be some leftover this January. If you’re having trouble deciding between the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch OLED, then be sure to check out our guide.