Pokémon Legends: Arceus reviews emerged earlier today and mostly, they've been positive. With over 40 reviews on Metacritic right now, it currently sits at an impressive 86 metascore.
We'll be looking to prepare our own Pokémon Legends: Arceus review yet, but other sites have now shared their thoughts. So, if you want to see why critics are raving over Pokémon Legends: Arceus, here’s a round-up of the game’s reviews thus far.
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ComicBook.com - 5/5
One of the highest-rated reviews thus far, ComicBook.com’s Christian Hoffer claims that this is the best Pokémon game in recent years and claims it can win over lapsed fans of the series:
“Pokemon Legends: Arceus is easily the strongest Pokémon game made in recent memory and should provide unforgettable memories that rival the first time a player first encountered a favourite Pokémon or conquered their first Pokémon Champion fight. It's a must-buy Pokémon game destined to land on many "top games of the year" lists and should bring countless new and lapsed fans to the franchise.”
VGC - 5/5
Another top scoring review, VGC’s Chris Scullion claims that Pokémon Legends: Arceus breathes new life into the series with some great battles:
“Pokémon Legends is the breath of fresh air the series has needed for so long. It may not have been apparent from the trailers, but this is one of the most entertaining, engaging and engrossing games in the entire history of the Pokémon series, and is highly recommended to both long-time fans and complete newcomers.”
Dexerto - 9/10
The Dexerto review from Brent Koepp praises the game for being more lore-centred than other Pokémon games. Adoring the number of side quests players can partake in, he also criticizing the graphics for being weak:
“Unlike previous titles, the game is packed with side quests, exploration, and an emotionally rich narrative. While technically a Diamond & Pearl origin story, it is a love letter to the overall franchise that fans will not want to miss out on. This is the most exciting that the Nintendo RPG has been in years and a blueprint for how the series can move forward in the future.”
GameSpot - 8/10
Steve Watts from GameSpot is a long-time fan and criticizes the slow start. Claiming some newer ideas could have been more refined, he likes it overall due to the strides Legends: Arceus takes to be a different entry in the series:
“Some of the new ideas in Arceus have rough edges, and it's slow to start before you get access to many environments and mounts. This is an awkward first step, and it was a big adjustment for me, a long-time fan of the series, to make. Once Pokémon Legends: Arceus finds its stride, though, it's the most daring and inventive the series has been in years, breaking apart the staid core and creating something new and exciting from its pieces.”
PCMag - 3.5/5
One of the lower reviews out for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, PCMag’s Will Greenwald still thinks it’s an ambitious entry in the franchise but has issues with the small Wild Areas, the repetitive quests, and the bad draw distance:
“Pokémon Legends: Arceus isn't the open-world Pokémon game fans have been waiting for, but it's still the most ambitious Pokemon experience yet, and a fun collect-a-thon in its own right.”
Fans can check out the full Metacritic round-up of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, where it currently sits at an 86 overall score.