Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set to release exclusively for Nintendo Switch on January 28. It’s been getting high praise from critics (our review will be up very soon). It’s an open-world take on the franchise that’s set long ago in the Sinnoh region. You can preorder the game now (it’s even $5 off at Amazon. Also available at Amazon UK).
Developed by Game Freak, Pokemon Legends: Arceus brings players back in time before the Sinnoh region was built out into what it is in the Diamond and Pearl games. Your job is to explore a vast open world while researching wild Pokemon in order to complete the first Pokedex of the area.
Preorder Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Unlike oh so many games these days, there’s only one edition of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and this is it. It’s worth noting that you can get a li’l preorder bonus for buying it from Amazon. See below for the details.
Preorder Bonus
While there are no universal preorder bonuses, if you preorder from Amazon, you’ll get an exclusive in-game Garchomp Kimono Set.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus Trailers
What is Pokemon Legends: Arceus?
It’s an open-world Pokemon. As you explore, you can try to sneak up on Pokemon and throw a Poke Ball to try to catch them. If you need to weaken them before they’ll be catchable, you can toss a Poke Ball containing one of your Pokemon at them and a standard turn-based battle will begin. And because this game takes place in the past, the Poke Balls you use are made of wood, and steam shoots out when you successfully ensnare a creature.
The starter Pokemon for the game are Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott, whom you receive from a professor who’s picked them up while traveling through various regions. On your adventure, you’ll uncover the truth behind a storied Pokemon called Arceus, who supposedly “shaped all there is in this world.” Sounds heavy.
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Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert at IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed.