Pokémon is going open world.
During a special Pokémon Presents video that aired earlier today to celebrate the franchise’s 25th anniversary, a new, ambitious adventure titled Pokémon Legends: Arceus was announced for the Nintendo Switch.
The debut trailer showed a massive world where Pokémon roam about and players are free to explore, like a dramatically upgraded version of the Wild Areas from Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. The sprawling map immediately gave off Breath of the Wild vibes, with one particular point in the reveal using a very similar camera shot from the epic January 2017 Breath of the Wild trailer.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes place in an ancient era of the Sinnoh Region, long before Pokémon Gyms and Pokémon Leagues existed. As young trainers, players will set out to all corners of the region to help establish Sinnoh’s very first Pokédex. The aesthetics of this time period strongly evoke ancient Japan—there is even a village that will serve as the base of operations, a place that evokes Kakariko Village vibes from Breath of the Wild.
The trailer showed that players can catch Pokémon in real time with Poké Balls as they traverse the huge overworld. Pokémon battles appeared to still be turn based, but some also appeared to take place right in the middle of the very same explorable map.
Players will choose from one of three starter Pokémon, but perhaps not the ones typically expected. Rather than use the original Sinnoh starters (Piplup, Turtwig, and Chimchar), Pokémon Legends: Arceus brings Cyndaquil (Pokémon Gold/Silver), Rowlet (Pokemon Sun/Moon), and Oshawott (Pokémon Black/White) into the mix. The mythical title Pokémon, Arceus, will also figure into the story as players travel the region, although its role remains a mystery for now.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is being developed by Game Freak and will launch on the Nintendo Switch sometime in early 2022.
