In a special event broadcast live today, The Pokémon Company revealed something fans have been waiting for a long time: an open world Pokémon adventure. The next important entry in the franchise will be called Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and it appears to be a major evolution of the long-running RPG formula. The developers describe it as a “prefabricated” one that offers “a new challenge and a new frontier for the Pokémon world.”
The story takes place in the Sinnoh region, in a period that seems long before another Pokémon games and will include a number of iconic monsters like Piplup, with your choice of beginners, including Rowlet, Oshawott and Cyndaquil. It is expected to be released worldwide on the Switch in early 2022.
Here is the basic premise:
As coaches, they explore natural extensions in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, they will find pokémon that call these grand views home. To capture the wild pokémon, players can study the behavior of the pokémon, sneak up on it and then throw poké balls. Players can also fight wild Pokémon with their friendly Pokémon. By launching the Pokémon’s ball while holding your friendly Pokémon close to a wild Pokémon, players will enter the battle without any problems. This new angle of play aims to provide coaches with an engaging experience.
At the same event, the company also revealed the next remakes of classics Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, which will also come to the Switch.
The last big Pokémon launch was Sword and Shield on the Switch, which debuted in 2019 and was followed by several expansions. These games also introduced an open world-like region called the Wilderness, suggesting this next evolution. Also on the way is a League of Legends-multiplayer style game, called Pokémon Unite, which will enter an open beta in March (in Canada at least), as well as a new version of the beloved Pokémon Snap.
Today’s announcement comes as part of the franchise’s 25th anniversary celebration. In addition to the new games, The Pokémon Company will also hold a virtual concert on February 27 – headed by Post Malone.