I opine that not every game franchise needs to go the open world route and I will admit that I am not a fan of the open world format in the first place. However, Pokémon is a franchise that perfectly lends itself to this particular kind of gaming. The game designers have already included an open world area in 'Pokémon Sword and Shield' with their 'Wild Area' and even applied that mechanic to the underground in the 'Diamond' and 'Pearl' remakes, 'Brilliant Diamond' and 'Shining Pearl'.
Open World in gaming terms means that the game does not employ a strict narrative or linear path. Player(s) can explore most places without the standard environmental barriers or narrative restrictions. Most games do follow a not-so-strict linear path and will employ techniques to make players feel like they are not moving through a linear narrative, but players still typically have to complete point A to get to point B.
The main objective in the Pokémon's mainline series has always been about catching, training, and battling with Pokémon in a turn-based system. A player progresses by earning badges attained by defeating eight Gym leaders, each which specializes in a specific type of Pokémon. The badges allow the player to use stronger Pokémon and are required to enter The Pokémon League in which the player fights the Elite Four. In defeating the Elite Four, the player becomes the Pokémon League Champion and ultimately beat the game.
Pokémon Legends Arceus applies many of these basic goals and structures in a much looser format. It ditches much of the trainer battles, the gym battles are replaced with a handful of 'boss battles', most of the cities are gone as well as their confining nature, and the vast landscapes are navigable as opposed to being used as artificial barriers or for aesthetics. The game also forgoes various plot points that would normally prevent a player moving to the next stage. The player's main objective is to explore, catch, and battle with as many Pokémon as they can because they are building the very first Pokedex. Strictly doing that can make the game a bit of a grind. However, the game is kept fun and interesting with the variety of ways to interact and catch Pokémon as well as the varying environments, and a sundry of side quests. As the player beats the final boss Pokémon in each area, they unlock the ability to summon a special Pokémon that makes land navigation easier and new areas accessible. In this game Pokémon can and will directly attack the human player, so they too can faint and lose items they are carrying.
The game developers culled the amount of Pokémon available from the current 800+ down to 242, which makes sense from even just a narrative standpoint because the player explores specifically the Sinnoh region which would only have a limited number of Pokémon that are native to it. Veteran Pokémon gamers may be familiar with this region as it is the map from 'Diamond' and 'Pearl'. With the amount of tasks players are asked to complete, it makes sense logistically that the amount of Pokemon is culled down from over 800 as well.
My experience with Pokémon Arceus was a mostly positive one. As a longtime Pokémon fan, switching up the formula was a nice breath of fresh air. That being said, I'd still like to see future games with the classic mechanics as well as games that employ improved versions of the 'open world mechanics demonstrated in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. A game with some combination of both mechanics would be best.
MY STAR RATING 3.5/5 STARS
If you are looking to play Nintendo Switch games, The Brown Deer Public Library has a variety in their catalogue available to check out. If you are without a Nintendo Switch but are interested in playing some games, The Brown Deer Public Library also has Nintendo Switch Lites available to check out.
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