POKEMON Legends: Arceus is the first open-world game in the series and things are going to be very different for franchise veterans.
Set in the Hisui region, Pokemon Legends: Arceus’ new gameplay style is understandably drawing comparisons with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus release date and time
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is launching worldwide on Friday, January 28.
Fans can pick it up for the Nintendo Switch, and the title is compatible with all three models.
So whether you’re playing the handheld Switch Lite, the hybrid Nintendo Switch, or the upgraded Nintendo Switch OLED, you won’t miss out.
If you’re buying a digital copy, you should be able to start playing at 9pm PT on January 27 according to the official Nintendo support page for game launch times.
That’s 12am ET / 5am GMT on January 28, to if you’ve taken time off to play, you can get a super early start.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus pre-load and file size
Pokemon Legends: Arceus has leaked ahead of release, and while there are spoilers doing the rounds, there’s also some useful info too.
In this case, the file size, which is reportedly 6GB; but bear in mind that there may be a day on patch that’ll bump this up a bit.
You can also pre-load Pokemon Legends: Arceus right now, so you don’t have to wait around on launch day.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus story and gameplay
Set in the Hisui region, Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes placde during a time before people caught and trained pokemon.
The region will eventually come to be known as Sinnoh, which fans of the series will be familiar with.
As a member of the Galaxy Expedition Team, you’ll strike out to explore the areas around your base of operations — Jubilife Village.
As with other games in the series, you need to go and research pokemon for the Pokedex.
But given that this takes place ages in the past, that research is going to need to be significantly more thorough.
In addition to exploring, you’ll be called upon to investigate ‘frenzied’ pokemon that are out causing havoc.
With no Elite Four or Pokemon League to work towards, the story is going to be very different long-time fans.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus starter pokemon
As is tradition in the Pokemon series, pokemon will get getting special Hisui forms.
The three starters, Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott will also be getting new Hisuian final form evolutions.
The three usually evolve into Typhlosion, Decidueye, and Samurott.
But Nintendo has teased their swanky new silhouettes which you can check out below.
“You may have met Dartrix, Quilava, and Dewott in your other adventures,” Nintendo says in the YouTube video’s comments.
“But you’ve never encountered their Hisui region Evolutions.”
Of course, what with the leaks going around, the three have already been revealed.
If you want the surprise to be ruined, you can check out this tweet by @LioOneMorePixel to taka a peek.
Check out out Pokemon Legends: Arceus pre-order guide for more on where to pick up the game.
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