As per usual, The Pokémon Company have held a broadcast on Pokémon Day to celebrate the anniversary of the franchise. This showcased the plans for the 25th anniversary, with titles centering around the beloved Sinnoh region!
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl
As expected, the inevitable Sinnoh remake has finally been revealed as Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Developed in collaboration between Game Freak and ILCA, it retells the stories told on the Nintendo DS titles but with a new and refreshed 3D artstyle. Although unconfirmed, due to the clashing art styles it is unlikely these games will link with Sword and Shield or replace them for competitive play but are a great option for those looking to experience the Sinnoh titles in a new way.
The remake is very reminiscent of the Link’s Awakening remake from 2019 in art style and presentation. Although it is unclear on any additions it doesn’t appear to have brought any of the gimmicks introduced in later generations meaning it is unlikely mega evolution or dynamax will be included for these games. There are at least 6 months until these games release so we are likely to get more information on additions to the core games to make them worth picking up for older fans, so keep your eyes peeled for more reveals from the Pokémon Company.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
The big surprise of the presentation was in the form of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This is a single player action RPG title revealed for early 2022. Set in Fuedal Sinnoh, the game promises to look into the mystery of Arceus where the goal is to research and complete the first Pokédex whilst researching the myth of the legendary Pokémon. From what has been shown, this game takes battling and gym challenges (that the series is known) for take the back seat to prioritise a slower, more methodical catching experience akin to Pokémon Let’s Go but with the option to weaken wild Pokémon in the field.
From what we can tell, it is more of a complimentary entry to Generation 7 rather than a replacement for Sword and Shield but uses the wild area engine on a larger scale to explore the familiar yet distinctly different Sinnoh region. The game will not feature online trading or battling and will have just the one title rather than the series convention of having two mainline games, solidfying its status as a single player story which compliments Sword and Shield’s heavy multiplayer gameplay for players to have very different experiences.
Overall, it was a very Sinnoh heavy reveal and the move of remaking Sinnoh before Legends was a smart one from Game Freak’s perspective as now more people will be introduced to the iconic story of Diamond and Pearl; just in time for the new series to kick off and create more intrigue and investment in its world. Game Freak have always done incredibly well in world building and lore within their titles so to see them take an angle of showing more of the worlds history is a unique concept only attempted in Conquest on the DS previously.
Are you looking forward to these games? How do you feel about the reveals? Will be you be purchasing any? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us at @underlevelled on twitter!
Video game completionist and 3D platformer connoisseur, Riley is a fan of the whimsical frenzy of bright and colourful characters to bless us in the late 90's. Their favourite game's are Spyro, Persona 5 and Super Mario Sunshine.
