A leaked trailer for Pokémon Legends: Arceus has confirmed the ability to catch wild Pokémon while airborne, speeding up wild captures. The new Pokémon title has reimagined many classic mechanics from previous main series games, including a semi-open world exploration format instead of routes, and battle mechanics that don't take players to a turn-based encounter screen. While the changes may have some long-time fans hesitant, it is possible Pokémon Legends: Arceus could pioneer a new future for the Pokémon series.
Like with other recent releases in the Pokémon series, details for Pokémon Legends: Arceus have stayed minimal. With the game's release date weeks away, bearing an announced date of January 28, 2022, only a small amount of gameplay has been confirmed by Nintendo via Direct live streams and teaser trailers. This includes the Hisuian form Pokémon, the use of a crafting menu, and multiple clans scattered around the region. Players also know they will be helping build the first Pokédex, as well as test-drive ancient Poké Balls.
A leaked teaser trailer for Pokémon Legends: Arceus uploaded by Blue Shell on YouTube confirms a few more exciting details for fans to look forward to. The Japanese trailer shows new wide-view shots of the Hisui region, including Pokémon appearances like Eevee, Spheal, and Beautifly. The most exciting reveal, however, includes a clip of a player riding a Hisuian Basculegion as it launches into the air, allowing the player to throw a Poké Ball at an unsuspecting Gastrodon. This is a big change from past games, where players could only throw Poké Balls during a proper battle encounter. While recent games like Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee have added new elements to Poké Ball throws, the ability to toss a ball from the air adds a whole new type of challenge and skill to filling out a Pokédex.
See the original video on YouTube here.
The trailer also highlights other modes of transportation in the Hisui region, including the already revealed riding and flying mechanics. Flying looks particularly exciting, with players clinging to a glider bar held by a Hisuian Braviary. In past games, with the exception of the Soar mechanic in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, players would simply teleport to the desired location on the map when using Fly. The change creates more immersive exploratory gameplay, and will likely offer players a stunning view of Husui's landmarks.
There has also been speculation that the player will actually be part of the origin story for the evil Team Galactic from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Known in Hisui as Team Galaxy, it doesn't appear the group is up to nefarious plans in the trailers, but the opportunity to choose a villain's route, or break away from the team to join a clan could be an incredible choice-based addition to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Hopefully, players will learn more about what to expect in the coming weeks.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is coming to the Nintendo Switch on January 28th, 2022.
Source: Blue Shell/YouTube
