Calling all ‘Pokemon’ fans! Nintendo and ‘Pokemon’ Company have finally released the anticipated new game, ‘Pokemon Legends: Arceus’ which is now available for the Nintendo Switch. 

The game allows players to deep dive into a more open world where ‘Pokemon’ were once looked at as dangerous creatures. The main objective of the game is to conduct research on these fearsome, but often adorable Pokemon to complete the first Pokedex of the Hisui Region which would later become known as the Sinnoh Region.

“I really love it,” said Vincent Meyers, 21, of Selden, “it shakes up the formula and breathes a lot of fresh air into the franchise.” Meyers, a radio and television major, has been playing the wildly popular game since he was 6-years-old. “What I was excited about were the new mechanics and being able to see the Pokemon in the over-world because it makes the world feel more real and immersive as opposed to the previous games.” 

Not only does this game introduce the longtime players to new mechanics and have the chance to explore a vast open world than the previous games, but what caught the eyes of many of the players were the new and enhanced visuals. 

“I was watching some of the streams on Twitch and the visuals are amazing,” said Kevin Guo, 24, of Northport. Although the digital media and animation student hasn’t gotten the chance to play, Guo loved seeing the Pokemon with their new designs and getting to learn more about the background of the storyline. “What I enjoyed about it was that it is like an early form of the Sinnoh Region so we were able to get a good history before Diamond and Pearl,” he said referring to one of the other Pokemon games.

In Legends, players are greeted by their beloved Pokemon that have made appearances in past games, such as bringing back the past generation starters:

Generation 2’s fire-type Pokemon, Cyndaquil

Generation 5’s water-type Pokemon, Oshawott

Generation 7’s grass-type Pokemon, Rowlet 

For many fans, the franchise will always carry on a nostalgic feel throughout the years to come and hold a special place in the hearts of the player. “I’m excited to see where the franchise goes in the future,” Meyers said. “I will say that this game is the most fun I’ve had playing a modern Pokemon game in years.”