Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a serious departure from the standard Pokemon game formula. Although it still keeps some of the classic Pokemon mechanics, this title adds in a variety of features taken from action and open-world games. However, one charming new feature added in Pokemon Legends: Arceus is giving Pokemon the ability to 'talk' with each other.
Although they sound like they're saying their own names or making little animal noises, it's well-known that all Pokemon are speaking the same language and can talk to each other. However, this trait usually surfaces in the Pokemon anime, not the games. Pokemon Legends: Arceus appears to bring this into the spotlight with a subtle but adorable new feature.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus lets players bring out more than one Pokemon at a time, and when multiple Pokemon are active on the map, they can interact with each other. This means that two Pokemon brought out facing toward each other may begin a little conversation entirely in their own language. While this isn't anything new for fans of the Pokemon anime, which features several specials that focus entirely on the misadventures of Pokemon, fans of the games may be taken off-guard by this sweet little surprise.
Seeing one's Pokemon hanging out with each other may add to the feel of realism that the game is aiming for. While the Pokemon Legends: Arceus' graphics aren't as photorealistic as the Detective Pikachu movie, the addition of more survival and open-world mechanics can make the Hisui region feel more vibrant and lifelike than previous titles.
A team of chatting Pokemon may also make for an excellent photo opportunity, especially if there's something interesting for them to be talking about. Apparently, some players have begun encouraging their Pokemon to start talking to each other after reaching an important milestone in the game, such as beating a boss.
One of the single biggest appeals of the Pokemon franchise is the Pokemon themselves, so fans may be overjoyed to see more of Pokemon doing Pokemon things. The ability of Pokemon to interact with each other, as well as the player, helps to draw a line between them and ordinary animals.
Many western fans have assumed that they were simply fantastical creatures, but Pokemon are actually inspired by kami, polytheistic spirits that are found in Japan's indigenous Shinto religion. Kami can be nature spirits, historical figures, inanimate objects, and even forces of nature, and they can be classified in a similar manner to Pokemon types.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available now on Nintendo Switch.
