Two months after its debut, fans are still caught up in the Pokémon Legends: Arceus frenzy. The game defied all expectations, providing the best gaming experience in the franchise since the Gen V games, and becoming arguably the best entry in the venerable franchise.
Game Freak shows no signs of stopping, recently announcing the Generation IX. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will arrive sometime this year, and fans can hardly wait. And with Legends: Arceus still so fresh in their minds, there are several things they'd like to see carry over from the ancient world of Hisui into the still-unnamed new region.
The Open World
Pokémon fans had been asking for an open-world game from as far back as Generation V, so the announcement of Legends: Arceus sent them into a frenzy. The game mostly lived up to players' expectations, proving that Game Freak can deliver a satisfying open world.
The trailer for Scarlet & Violet already confirmed Gen IX would be open world, but fans still don't know how much freedom they'll have, especially considering the games will go back to the Gym System. Still, it's already a massive step forward, and hopefully, Game Freak learned from Legends: Arceus's weak spots.
Customization Options
The Gen VI games were the first to introduce customizable options for the characters' clothing and hairstyles. It was a massive change for a franchise that refused to provide any sense of identity to its main characters for the longest time.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus included multiple clothing items and more hairstyles than ever before, a key way-of-life improvement that cemented the game's RPG nature. Scarlet & Violet need to keep increasing the available customization options, thus enhancing the game's immersive aspects.
Crafting
Crafting was one of the many classic RPG elements Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced to the franchise. By introducing an endless supply of elements for players to craft their Pokéballs and other useful items, Legends: Arceus encouraged exploration.
A classic Pokémon journey requires multiple items like Pokéballs, Potions, TMs, and other supplies. Scarlet & Violet should keep the option for players to craft these vital tools, thus encouraging players to revisit locations they'd otherwise only go to once.
Dynamic Pokémon Animations
One of the most acclaimed parts about Pokémon Legends: Arceus was the dynamic and vibrant Pokémon animations. Fans kept finding new things whenever they interacted with these creatures, like Spheal rolling along with the player or Goodra going into its shell every time it attacks. And speaking of attacks, their animations also look incredible, with moves like Shadow Force and Flash Cannon being standouts.
Scarlet & Violet must keep up with these incredible animations and even improve upon them. Players will surely appreciate it, and the games will be all the better for it.
Ride Pokémon
Mounts are one of the biggest improvements Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduces to the franchise. Not only are the ride Pokémon incredibly well-designed, particularly Basculegion and Hisuian Braviary, but they make all the difference while exploring the vastness of Hisui.
Previous games in the franchise relied on the annoying and increasingly unpopular HMs to explore the generation's region. HMs were limiting and forced players to waste useful move slots and always carry a mule on their teams; ride Pokémon provide an easy and entertaining alternative. After all, HMs are one of the franchise's most archaic elements, and it's time to put them to rest for good.
NPCs With Distinctive Personalities
Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduces multiple likable characters with distinct and memorable personalities. Whether they're main or ing, friend or foe, they all contribute something to the plot and turn Hisui into a genuinely intriguing place.
Pokémon struggled with creating truly compelling characters in previous games, but every Gen VIII entry succeeded in this department. There's no reason to believe Gen IX will go back to the one-dimensional characterization of earlier games; still, Game Freak needs to make a real effort because characters like Volo, Adaman, and Irida will be a tough act to follow.
The Effort Level System
EVs and IVs have long been the bane of many players' existence and one of the most controversial parts of the franchise. Many fans enjoy them and consider them crucial to the series, while others condemn them as unfair and outdated.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus changed things by introducing a new and more accessible system, the Effort Levels. Players can now enhance their Pokémon's stats beyond the normal gains acquired from battles by using the numerous Grit items received from defeating Alphas and releasing Pokémon. The Effort Level system is less arbitrary than EVs and IVs, leading many to believe it should return for Scarlet & Violet.
Noble Pokémon
The mainline Pokémon games have several memorable boss battles, but Legends: Arceus might have the absolute best. Indeed, one of the game's best features is the Noble battles, which combine classic RPG mechanics with the franchise's well-known Pokémon battle system.
Scarlet & Violet might not necessarily include Noble Pokémon because that seems like a long shot. However, they should include some sort of boss confrontation that goes beyond the traditional Pokémon battle. After all, it would be a waste to relegate this cool new mechanic to just one game.
New Battling Mechanics
Pokémon Legends: Arceus dared to change the classic battling mechanics of the venerable franchise with mixed results. The Strong and Agile styles had a divisive response from fans, who praised the change itself but reacted somewhat negatively to how chaotic the battle turned once the styles were used.
Scarlet & Violet must keep experimenting with the battle mechanics, if only because going back to a plain Pokémon battle would feel almost anti-climactic. Strong and Agile might not be the best option from now on, but they at least proved that there are still plenty of ways to experiment with Pokémon battles.
Real-Time Battles
There are many reasons why Legends: Arceus might be the best Pokémon game in the franchise, and the seamless, real-time battling system is one. The best games are the ones that enhance the immersing qualities of the Pokémon world, and battling is a crucial part of this, especially in an open world environment.
Sending a Pokémon and having the battle begin immediately is perhaps Legends: Arceus' best improvement. Gen IX must keep this because going back to a separate and often lifeless screen whenever there's a battle going on already seems like an outdated idea.
