Pokemon trainers have spent the entire series filling out Pokedex entries, ticking off lists provided by the likes of Professor Oak or, most recently, Professor Magnolia. But now, in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, it's up to you to build that encyclopedia, to head out into the wilderness of the Hisui region and create the area's very first ever Pokedex yourself. This is a brand new experience for trainers old and new.
You'll be joining the Galaxy Expedition Team as part of the Survey Corps, heading out from Jubilife Village to study the Hisui region and its Pokemon inhabitants. These lands will eventually become known as the Sinnoh region, which many trainers will already be very familiar with - even just from the very recent Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes - But Pokemon Legends: Arceus is taking us back to a time way before anything we've ever experienced in the Pokemon series to date.
As you explore the various distinct open-world environments of Hisui, including meadows and forests, snowy mountains, and the volcanic Mount Coronet, you'll have to seek out the Pokemon living there, observe them to discover their unique behaviours, and then battle them to weaken and hopefully catch them. You'll have to travel far and wide on your discovery tour though, as each environment has unique Pokemon, with certain species only appearing at specific times of day or under distinct conditions.
But remember, this is a time where Pokemon and people don't live in harmony, so alpha Pokemon, in particular, will be very hostile towards you. Meanwhile, ultra powerful Frenzied Noble Pokemon will lie in wait for utterly unforgettable battles. Plus, your regular battles might surprise you too, with Pokémon’s stats and other factors determining the order of battle, and the option to use your Pokemon's moves in one of two styles.
There's plenty to discover in the open world too, from familiar friends like the starter trio (Oshawott, Cyndaquil, and Rowlett), to new regional variants, including the adorable Hisuian Growlithe and wooden-bodied Hisuian Voltorb. Of course, there are brand new Pokemon to discover too, such as the haunted big fish Pokemon, Basculegion, which you can actually ride to explore the oceans and waters of Hisui.
If you want to find everything the Hisui region has to offer, you'll need to be vigilant, but also patient, so make sure to make use of the base camps you'll find littered around Hisui. Like in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, these pitstops are utterly important for recharging and will give you time to craft more items to take with you on your travels, including new Pokeballs and other useful gear.
