Newly released Pokemon Legends: Arceus has been a hit with fans and critics alike, receiving positive reviews and praise for its unique gameplay style and quality of life improvements. However, there is one gameplay element of Pokemon Legends: Arceus that has quickly become almost universally reviled by fans. This is not a tricky boss battle, annoying multi-step quest, or even a Pokemon that is particularly difficult to catch or evolve. Instead, player vitriol has been primarily directed at a single unassuming NPC.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus sees the player transported through time and space to the Hisui region, a pre-modern version of Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl's Sinnoh. By surveying the land and catching and researching various Pokemon, the player works together with Professor Laventon to create the Hisui region's first ever Pokedex, which ultimately consists of around 250 Pokemon. Along the way, completing optional requests also allows the player to expand Jubilife Village, help new people move in, and increase the number and variety of stores and other services offered.
One character living in Jubilife Village is a man named Bagin, who can be found guarding the stairs to the Commander's office inside Galaxy Hall. True to his name, Bagin is all about fitting things in bags - and he is more than willing to teach the player his packing secrets, allowing them to fit more items in their satchel. As there are a huge number of crafting materials available to harvest at the various survey sites, players will likely find themselves visiting Bagin quite frequently.
However, Pokemon Legends: Arceus fans were quick to notice that, for all he claims to be helpful and willing to teach, Bagin's prices were actually rather steep and only got steeper. Each lesson from Bagin adds only a single space to the player's satchel, and he charges for each one. While his prices start at a low 100 currency, they quickly increase, and players will soon find themselves paying 5,000, 10,000, or even several hundred thousand of their Survey Corps wages to this man. Purchasing every available satchel upgrade from Bagin costs over 4 million currency, with the final upgrade alone requiring a payout of one million - money that could otherwise be spent on buying Poke Balls, purchasing rare craft materials, or even giving the player a makeover complete with a new hairstyle and clothing.
Fans took to Reddit, Twitter, and other social media sites to complain about Bagin's prices. He has been described as "evil" and a "thief," with some players even wishing they could use their Pokemon to attack him. Given that Bagin works directly for the Commander of the Galaxy Team, others have theorized that Bagin is funneling the money the Team pays players for their survey work right back to Professor Laventon or Commander Kamado. On Reddit, a dedicated subreddit for complaining about Bagin was created within 24 hours of the game's initial launch, allowing fans to unite over their dislike of the character.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is currently available for the Nintendo Switch.