New Pokemon Legends: Arceus trailer digs into gameplay changes

Pokemon Legends: Arceus has finally received its proper official gameplay reveal with a new 13-minute trailer, and there’s plenty to dig into for Pokemon fans anticipating the new game.

Though enthusiasm has been generally high for Pokemon Legends: Arceus, the new spin-off game took a backseat behind the launch of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. With the gen-four remakes out the door and likely done from a development perspective, The Pokemon Company is dedicating its full efforts to its newest game with just two weeks left before its release.

With that in mind, this new trailer does a deeper dive into Pokemon Legends: Arceus’ new mechanics. This includes details on how its catching system works, how to use different items, and the various boss encounters players will come across. While much of this was touched upon in previous trailers, this represents the deepest dive yet into the game’s new features.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Gameplay Preview

Pokemon Legends: Arceus new gameplay features detailed

Pokemon Legends: Arceus players will move around the world and engage with Pokemon in unique ways never seen before in the series.

Players navigate Pokemon Legends: Arceus similar to how they did in the Wild Area of Pokemon Sword and Shield. The trainer freely roams around a large area where Pokemon wander on the map. Different Pokemon will engage the player in different ways, with some being hostile, some being passive, and others fleeing away.

What’s different is how the player can interact with Pokemon. Pokemon Legends: Arceus features something of a stealth mechanic. Players can sneak around and use items to distract or lure roaming Pokemon to either avoid conflict or set up a more advantageous start to a battle.

Getting these items requires resource gathering from the environment, which can be done by picking up items or having Pokemon perform actions like breaking rocks and knocking fruits out of trees. While some of these items can be used outright, others need to be crafted into something new in camps or in Jubilife Village.

Alpha, Frenzied Noble Pokemon explained

Frenzied Noble Pokemon serve as the major bosses of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, while Alpha Pokemon are effectively mini-bosses.

Frenzied Noble Pokemon are monstrous creatures that will mix together different types of combat. Players will have to use a mix of both normal Pokemon battles and direct conflict between the trainer and Pokemon. They’ll need to pelt them with items called balms to calm them down before eventually defeating them.

Alpha Pokemon are part of the world and are identifiable by their glowing red eyes. These Pokemon don’t require balms to be defeated, but they are stronger. The good news is that if they’re caught, they can make for strong additions to the party.