The end of February 2021 was an interesting time, with a new Pokémon Presents giving a look at the Diamond and Pearl remakes. At the same time, it showed off the new evolution of Pokémon. A more freeform experience than any game in the series, where every area is open, and we can observe the Pokémon in the field much closer than ever before in the main series.

From that first look at it, I held hope that Game Freak could show us with this what an evolution of the series could look like. Maybe not with the graphics, ‘cus… they looked rough. But in terms of mechanics, I felt certain Game Freak could provide. It looked as if they were getting away from the standard routine all the main series games had been following. And I’m happy to see that I was right.

The story still follows the standard rote of giving you a starter Pokémon and a Pokédex early on from a professor, then venturing out into the world to discover every Pokémon. But the changes make such a task a lot more fun. Creating a more action-based gameplay loop and fitting the turn-based battles seamlessly into that loop makes things a whole lot more fluid than ever before.

The game teaches you the catching mechanics early on, then brings the second challenge of using the environment to your advantage to catch them and the various reactions you’ll be seeing regarding your presence around the Pokémon. Then, the real game begins. Hunting out every Pokémon and solving the mystery of the frenzied nobles.

Starting out at the Obsidian Fieldlands, I got to exploring where I could while still at a zero star rank. Being taught about the crafting then got me to make a whole lot more Pokéballs in order to catch a lot of the critters about. And… I probably spent quite a bit too long trying to get an Eevee to appear – having already seen Pedz of GRcade streaming the opening of the game. We were certain we had seen an Eevee in one particular area, so I wanted to know.

I mean, I could have just looked it up, but the fun is in exploring and finding these things out. Looking it up would ruin that fun. As it is, I gave up while streaming the game myself, but while continuing to play after ending it, I came across three at once within that area. Such meant it was time to say goodbye to Cyndaquil and wave hello to the dynamic duo of Umbreon and Espeon. I can’t help it. I love ‘em too much.

In terms of all the mechanics, I was finding the ability to catch Pokémon without going into a battle to be great. When I had to enter into battle, the seamless transitioning into battle having thrown one of my own Pokémon at the attacker felt like the evolution of battle screens I’d been hoping for since Sun and Moon.

No longer is the camera set to such a nostalgic viewpoint despite the fact such should have been disposed of in the move to 3D. The viewpoint of battle is wherever you want to stand. As long as it’s not too far away. Yes, as I’d said back when the game first was announced, the idea of running away from battle takes on a new meaning when you can literally do just that. Though there’s still the option to run on the battle menu should you want to use it.

The moves the Pokémon learn are all displayed in a menu, with switching between them able to be done while out in the field. Evolution is streamlined thanks to the ability to select when you want it to happen from the menu. Even that menu is streamlined thanks to items and Pokémon displayed on the same screen. Other areas have seen streamlining too, and I’m thankful for it.

Having returned to the professor to hand in the research tasks I’d performed, gained the one start rank (and got close to the second), and then back out to follow more of the main quest, there was a whole lot more I could explore of the Fieldlands. But even with the area you have to explore while still at zero, the game allows the freedom of exploration – where you have to be very prepared for the outcome.

Everything you do while at zero rank is to the left of the starting campsite. The most dangerous thing there is an alpha Rapidash. It might be level 40, but there’s only one of them and it’s easy to escape from. To the right, you’ll see an alpha Snorlax. Sneak around it, and you’ll enter into an area full of Luxio, a few Luxray, and a few other Pokémon – all above levels you will be unprepared for.

But this gives you an opportunity. While the ranking system stops you from overlevelling (the threat of your team not listening to you being present if you do), should you manage to perform a sneaky catch or two in this area, your team will gain a lot of experience from that. Plus, you’ll have a Pokémon you can swap to once you’re able to command those of higher level.

It’s that kind of freedom that the main games have been missing. The series always valued the idea of this being an adventure, but mostly railroaded you along the adventure it wanted you to explore. There felt very little to discover on your own – especially in later games. With Legends: Arceus, though you do have to follow the main quests and rank up in order to access new sectors, the sectors are open enough that you can explore how you want and feel that what you discover is unique to you.

It might not be the prettiest game ever, but it’s a great one to be exploring. This is the evolution that Pokémon as a series needed. If Sword and Shield were the start of such an evolution – the testing ground, then this is the first real test of an open world freeform adventure in the world of Pokémon. I’d say it has succeeded greatly.

This is the most I have been invested in a Pokémon adventure for some years now. Everything about it feels like what I’ve wanted Pokémon to become. Is it perfect? No, since you can’t fully appreciate the world of Pokémon when the critters and the people who inhabit the world only render in when you’re close to them. But it is certainly enjoyable despite that.

Images Taken From:
Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Original Screenshots)