Legends: Arceus Almost Learned How To Be A Better Pokémon Game

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Pokémon Legends: Arceus was so close to being a new, completely revolutionary Pokémon game at its release. Legends: Arceus gave players new mechanics for catching and battling Pokémon and a new semi-open world to explore. It still had the main focus on catching and battling Pokémon though, even with the veiled premise of research.

While Pokémon Legends: Arceus gave Pokémon fans a new experience with its new catching mechanism and new battle-type moves, it still follows the same formula that other Pokémon games have had. The player is tasked with «researching» Pokémon by catching or battling as many as they can while also taking on a powerful, godlike Pokémon. This formula has worked since the release of Pokémon Red and Blue in 1996.

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Pokémon Legends: Arceus could have been a game that focused even more on the research aspect of Pokémon instead of the battling aspect. Legends: Arceus encouraged players to research Pokémon and complete the Pokédex more than any previous Pokémon game; however, its main focus was still catching and battling as many Pokémon as possible. A Pokémon game that focused more on studying the actual Pokémon would be revolutionary.

One of the only Pokémon games that doesn't have the player catch and battle Pokémon is Pokémon Snap. While the Pokémon Snap games are not in any way perfect, they do focus more on researching Pokémon and observing them in their natural environment. Combining this aspect with the research aspect of Legends: Arceus would make the perfect Pokémon game.

In both the Pokémon Snap games and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players have a chance to observe Pokémon in the wild. Legends: Arceus is a better safari-like