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Compared to the Pokémon games of the past 26 years, Pokémon Legends of Al Zeus is a big change. While it reveres the history of the collection and draws on it, it is also happy to experiment with new designs. But some of the new stuff may not be easy to understand, and Nintendo didn't give a good introduction to how different Legends of Al zeus really is.
So to get to know more about Legendary Arzeus, we've listed 12 key differences between it and the Pokémon orthodox series.
explore
The biggest change in Pokémon Legends of Arzeus is the structure. In the past, players had to move between different cities, but this time there was only one city, Zhuqing Village in the Washcui area (later became Zhuqing City in Diamond/Pearl). The rest of the place is turbulent, with only a few small camps, which means you're free to explore without bumping into too many people.
Instead of being a single open world like Zelda Legend: Breath of the Wilderness, the game is divided into 5 main areas: verdant wilderness, steep mountain peaks, beautiful coasts (with volcanoes), toxic swamps, and rugged snowfields. Each area is inhabited by a different Pokémon, although some Pokémon can appear in multiple areas.
Players must start from Zhuqing Village and then choose a large area they want to go to, but they cannot go directly from one area to another, they must first return to Zhuqing Village.
A new world
Why is the world of Pokémon Legends Alexius so desolate? Because there are not many people living here yet. Set in ancient Japan in the Pokémon World version, people speak in a more restrictive way, far less casually than in the orthodox game, and people know very little about Pokémon, only some people know more about it.
In this ancient world, your main task is to capture Pokémon, fight them, and learn more about them to complete the first Pokémon Atlas in history.
Capture Pokémon
When it comes to capturing Pokémon, this aspect is also different from traditional Pokémon games. Or should I say, it can be different.
In Legends of Alzeus, the protagonist is controlled in a similar way to a third-person shooter, where you can walk in a 3D world (similar to Sword/Shield), where players can crouch down and sneak or dodge with tumbling. You can also throw props at Pokémon, including a variety of poké balls.
After switching to the Poké Ball with L and R, you can press ZL (left trigger), aim with the right stick, press ZR (right trigger), and throw the Poké Ball directly at pokémon. If you sneak up on it, or if Pokémon doesn't realize you're there, the success rate of capture increases. You can also throw food at them to lower your vigilance.
However, pokémon in Legends of Alzeus can also be angry with you — usually when you're too close to them. You can't capture an angry Pokémon with a poké ball, you have to stun it with a prop first, or run away and then go back when it's gone.
If you don't use either, Pokémon will attack you. If they are attacked too many times, they will be sent back to the base camp (the protagonist can automatically return blood).
Fight pokémon
Another way to calm Pokémon's anger is to fight it.
Like props, you can also throw poké balls containing Pokémon at any time. Press the X key to switch between items and Pokémon, both of which use a recurring menu, which can be switched between different items or Pokémon with L and R, and you can quickly select the most suitable Pokémon. Simply throw your fellow Pokémon at wild Pokémon to start turn-based combat.
The biggest change in the combat system is that the order of moves is determined by speed, not by you and me. Pokémon that are fast enough can attack twice in a row, while those who are slow can only carry these two strokes before fighting back. There is a convenient "Order of Action" table on the right side of the screen, so you can clearly see the next order.
However, the order of action is not determined by numerical values alone. After pokémon reach a certain level or visit an NPC, you can "master" the moves, gaining two attack styles: "Swift" and "Fierce".
The Swift move is faster and has the chance to make you attack twice in a row, but with less damage. "Tough" increases the power, but at the cost of delaying the order of the next action. Mastering moves consumes twice as much PP, so save time.
You can also capture Pokémon in battle in much the same way as in previous games - depleting Pokémon's stamina and then throwing Poké Balls in your turn.
Pokémon ride
The ride system isn't a new feature of Legends of Al zeus, but it's been greatly expanded in the game. Due to the large size of the map (and the bicycle has not yet been invented), the player has to rely on Pokémon to travel through this world.
In the Washweed region, the Horned Deer can evolve into a Creepy Horned Deer, which is the player's ground mount, and when riding on it, it can be ordered to sprint and jump. The Savage Bass (evolved from the Savage Sea bass) becomes your water vehicle (it will sink into the river before getting the Savage), and it can easily jump over water obstacles. The Warrior Eagle (washed in the form of a green eagle) is a flying mount, but it does not have full flight control and is more like a glider.
Players can also travel quickly to base camps or some important locations, but this is certainly not as cool as riding Pokémon.
Trainers battle
While combat is an important part of Pokémon Legends of Al Zeus, NPC trainers are uncommon. On the road in the wild, there will be no NPCs to make eye contact with you, and you will not start fighting as soon as you walk in front of them. Battles with trainers are basically plot triggers, usually against friends or villains.
evolve
In Pokémon Legends of Al zeus, Pokémon can still evolve, but they don't evolve automatically. After Pokémon reach a level where they can evolve, a hint will appear on their experience bar. To evolve, simply enter the Pokémon Egg, select the Pokémon you want to evolve, and press X.
This change makes it easier for you to keep Pokémon in an unevolved state, make it easier to learn moves, and guarantee that Ibu will evolve into the type you want.
Trick learning
Pokémon Legends Arzeus learns the mechanics of the moves differently than in the past. New moves will automatically enter the list of learned moves, and there is no need to make a selection after upgrading. Although you can still only equip 4 moves at the same time, as long as you learn it, you can equip it at any time, of course, not in battle. This is equivalent to carrying a move recall NPC with you.
In addition, the NPC that will help you master the moves can also teach the moves, but for a fee. These new moves also go into the list of learned moves and can be switched at any time.
There's no way you can permanently "forget" a move, as long as you enter the list of learned moves, you'll stay in it.
Craft production
"Craft making" is another highlight of Pokémon Legends of Al Zeus. You can still buy Poké Balls and Wound Medicine in the Shop, but you can also collect materials to make your own. Some of the materials can be picked up directly by hand, but some, such as those in trees or rocks, require Pokémon to do the work.
Each base camp has a "craft crafting station" where you can make things using materials stored in storage boxes. Players also have a "craft set" that they carry, but can only use materials from their backpacks.
New story
For years, the Pokémon series has followed the same story template: a small-town kid who embarks on a trainer's journey through the dojo, defeats the evil organization, and finally defeats the Four Heavenly Kings, challenges the final champion, and dominates the Pokémon League. Although the Legend of Arzeus does not apply the same formula, it still inherits many characteristics.
Dramatically, the game takes a very different form from the past. We don't want to spoil how the spoiler story unfolds, but there is no dojo here, and there are no Four Heavenly Kings. In this ancient world, pokémon were not well understood, so the story was more focused on teaching those around them how to live with pokémon than on them.
Since the game is set in antiquity, individual characters are clearly the ancestors of Diamond/Pearl characters, which is a good Easter egg for observant old fans.
task
Pokémon Legends of Alzeus provides players with a complete list of missions, including main and minor missions, large and small, instead of just a simple quest box telling you to go to the next city or find a doctor, as was the case before. You'll get clear directions on where to go next, and the task list will provide a simple synopsis.
Side missions are common in Pokémon games, but mission details are often memorized by yourself, such as where an NPC who wants to wave is. In Legends of Arzeus, there are NPCs who ask you to find a specific Pokémon, but the mission log will directly tell you what the mission rewards are and provide some mission guidance. There are also many types of sub-tasks, for example, there is a mission that allows you to bypass the air wall and chase the magic wall dolls in Zhuqing Village.
There are no dojos, only boss battles
Because the dojo is gone, legendary Arzeus finds a new way to test your strength, the "King" Pokémon. The locals adored these powerful Pokémon, but for some mysterious reason, they went berserk. You need to dodge the opponent's attack while throwing the corresponding "town treasure" at them to calm them down.
It's like a fancy third-person shooter where you aim at the Pokémon and throw a small, fragrant bag of food at it before it attacks you. If you get hit too many times, you'll have to start all over again, but if you react fast enough, you can dodge damage with invincible frames.
Sometimes, the "king" will enter a state of exhaustion, revealing flaws, at which point he can throw a poké ball containing Pokémon and enter the battle. As long as you win, you can throw a bunch of "town treasures" at it for a short period of time. Once you have successfully soothed the "King" (there is a large yellow blood tank, each time you hit the "King" with the "ZhenBao" will reduce the amount of health), it is considered a victory.
Translated | Wang Yi
Edit | Tony
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