Pokemon Legends: Arceus has been impressing fans and critics alike with the vast world of Hisui. The game is full of things for players to do, with tons of requests and, as expected of the Pokemon franchise, creatures to catch. However, the Pokedex in the latest game falls short compared to its predecessors. In 2019, Game Freak revealed that Pokemon Sword and Shield would be the start of future titles not relying on the staple National Dex.
The National Dex has been included in almost every main series game since Pokemon Gold and Silver. In many titles, players can unlock this as a sort of post-game reward, often making new creatures show up and giving players the intimidating challenge of completing the entire Pokedex. Many fans enjoyed being able to bring their favorite creatures back from previous games, but after years of the feature being included, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is one of the first games to go without it and show why this is a positive step.
Sword and Shield's Pokedex Controversy
Because Pokemon Sword and Shield didn't feature the National Pokedex, they would stick to Pokemon only found in that region, leaving fans unable to transfer some older Pokemon forward. Game Freak was met with plenty of backlash for its decision as players expressed not wanting to play a game without their favorite creatures.
The development team said only including the Pokemon that would fit each title and region was deliberate, and that fans could "hope to play with their favorite Pokemon some other time." This wasn't enough for many fans, as those who enjoyed having every critter playable in each game continued to try and make their voices heard. Every Pokemon ever released can be stored in Pokemon HOME, but there are positives to limiting what monsters could be found in each title.
Pokemon Generation 7 and 8's Reception
Even though many fans argued for the inclusion of the National Dex, some had issues with Pokemon Sun, Moon, their subsequent Ultra versions, as well as Sword and Shield regarding other design decisions. Both Generation 7 and 8 were criticized by some for lacking in the story department, with the Sun and Moon anime featuring scenes fans wished were explored in the games. The lack of expression from the player character in Sun and Moon was made into a meme, and many fans were sad to see that Sword and Shield returned to a focus on Gyms after the series briefly moved away from them.
Sun and Moon technically featured the National Dex, and Sword and Shield added 200 Pokemon to its roster with each DLC expansion. Still, Pokemon Sword and Shield were examined with a fine-toothed comb for flaws, and with how many Pokemon Game Freak added through the DLC, there seemed to be a choice between the games having plenty of creatures or making use of a particular few in more concerted efforts.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Four years after Game Freak announced its departure from the National Dex, Pokemon Legends: Arceus has been released. Fans are buzzing about the game, and it has begun breaking Pokemon series' sales records. The game has been praised for breathing into the game's 25-year-old battle system, the level of detail it gives the world of Hisui, and how Pokemon have new, unique behaviors. Many fans say Pokemon Legends: Arceus has helped them enjoy exploring the world of Pokemon again.
One notable difference between the traditional games in Pokemon Generation 7 and 8 with Pokemon Legends: Arceus is the size of Hisui's Pokedex. Even Sword and Shield, had over 400 Pokemon including the DLC. The first Legends title gives fans only 242 Pokemon to find and catch, yet completing the Pokedex with new mechanics is the main challenge of the game, so not many fans seem to mind.
Even if players take note of how little Pokemon there are to catch, it's hard to argue for more when fans are busy exploring the landscapes and worldbuilding that was put into Hisui. When looking at the previous Pokemon titles versus Legends: Arceus, it's clear that getting rid of the National Pokedex was meant to ensure that the effort of making nearly 1,000 Pokemon playable in each game was able to go into other improved aspects.
In the wake of the National Dex controversy, Game Freak could have felt pressured to include more Pokemon than they were planning. Yet in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, story elements helped it keep the Pokedex small, and in turn, the latest Pokemon title serves as an example of what the series looks like at its best without the National Dex. With how well-received the game has been, it's hard to argue for the future of the franchise to do anything different.
As long as Game Freak puts its endeavors toward making an enjoyable experience over including an incomprehensible number of Pokemon, there may be more games like Legends: Arceus that seek to enrich the experience beyond what players know. Having to accept that some favorites may sit future games out will be hard for some diehard fans, but it seems putting Game Freak's efforts elsewhere does better for the series as a whole. With Pokemon Legends: Arceus spearheading Pokemon's new direction, the future looks bright for any future adventures.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available now for Nintendo Switch.