Gaming

Pokémon Legends: Arceus review: A must-try for newbies and oldies

An open world adventure that did not disappoint

Published

February 28, 2022

Gab Orlina

For a franchise that’s just as old as I am, Pokémon continues its streak of producing either entirely new games or remastering older ones for the Nintendo Switch. At the tailend of 2021, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl were released, bringing the Nintendo DS classics to older fans and new players alike. Little did we know that these releases set the stage for an exciting new game to kickstart 2022.

I was genuinely excited about Pokémon Legends: Arceus based on what the trailers showed us early on. For a game in this storied franchise to suddenly drop the linear playthrough and give you an open world experience in its totality is breaking tradition, if you will. In previous games, they gave us just a taste of what it would be like, but it’s only just a small portion in a rather formulaic game style.

Did this shift from tradition proved to be the game changer Nintendo wanted? Would this game finally convince some of you to buy a Switch? Let me put it this way:

Arguably the most unique game in the franchise

I don’t mean to repeat the headline, but this is the most unique game in terms of basically everything Pokémon-related. Honestly, the gameplay alone sold itself to be entirely different from how most people play every other game in the franchise’s history (with the exception of a few games). To its credit, the only thing it relatively maintains from the other games is that the storyline progresses in a linear fashion even without gyms and an Elite Four.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ overworld, beaming with color

Right off the bat, the game just throws you into the open world aspect of it that easily resembles the Wild Area from Pokémon Sword and Shield. There’s a rather long tutorial session that spans across the first few main objectives for the ins and outs of the game, which is pretty fine. Basically, you get to explore the world of Hisui or Sinnoh in the traditional times and meet all kinds of Pokémon right away — even strong ones.

Every Pokémon game requires that you battle wild Pokémon!

Also, the tall grass makes a triumphant reappearance in this game — even in the old times. Although, that’s not where you will find wild Pokémon unlike what every other game has conditioned you to think. In essence, this game will recondition your brain and make you question why the existing games operate the way they do, and the tall grass isn’t the only thing.

Beginner-friendly and also for the Pokémon-savvy

I believe that every Pokémon game ever released has beginner-friendly elements to it, suitable for total newbies to the franchise. With every game, it starts off quite easy to digest and the difficulty rises with higher level Pokémon (Alpha or not) spawning and tougher Frenzied Pokémon the further you progress. As mentioned earlier, there are no gyms or Elite Four members to get through to prove you’re the best Pokémon trainer in the region.

Choosing your starter Pokémon as a staple in every Pokémon game

If you’re a huge fan of the entire franchise, everything you’re looking for is also in Legends: Arceus. From catching all sorts of Pokémon to battling and evolving them, it’s classic Pokémon through and through with less trainer battles and more items to collect. During this period of Pokémon history, people and Pokémon didn’t necessarily get along the way they do in modern times.

Battling Frenzied Pokémon instead of gym battles

However, a lot of things are different to keep up with the times of the game. One of the more obvious changes is that you can craft Potions, Poké Balls and other nifty items through materials in the overworld. Also, other things they changed include some of the status conditions, like Drowsiness and Frostbite. Maybe in Hisui, it was normal for Pokémon to sleep, instead of being put to sleep. Oh, did I mention there’s fall damage in this game?

An open world game with meaningful side quests

Now, I’ve played a ton of open world-style games in the past, and one of the things I noticed in all of them was the side quests. These are rather optional tasks that you can just accomplish any time you want, and usually the rewards are not as exciting as you might think. I’m quite happy to report that Pokémon Legends: Arceus nails that rewarding aspect while also introducing some lore in there.

The Bothersome Bidoof side quest that grants you a Rare Candy to level up your Pokémon

Most side quests in other games give you materials for crafting items or in-game currency to upgrade tool power. As a standard in every Pokémon game, side quests give you either useful items or special Pokémon to use on your journey (in-game trades technically count). In this game, there are specific side quests that literally give you Shiny Pokémon for free and even access to other Legendary Pokémon if you play any of the previous releases.

These quests were honestly fulfilling to accomplish for the rewards you get. Plus, some side quests are essential when filling in information on the Pokédex for certain Pokémon, so there is an incentive to accomplish them. It’s a total package of main quests and side quests that contribute to the totality of Pokémon lore in the Hisui region, and I’m all for it!

Fan service for Generation 4 diehards

Again, this game came out almost two months after the release of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl that took place in the Sinnoh region. Legends: Arceus takes us back in time to the old days of Sinnoh, when people still deemed Pokémon as natural threats and they’re still trying to coexist “peacefully.”

The fight with Dialga/Palkia on Spear Pillar — reminiscent of Diamond and Pearl

So it doesn’t come as a surprise that most of the locations in Legends: Arceus are similar to the ones you find in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but without modern advancements. Diehard fans of the Generation 4 games (including Pokémon Platinum) will get a kick of discovering the drastic changes to some of the locations in these games like Sandgem Town, Veilstone City, and Spear Pillar (Temple of Sinnoh).

Cogita mentions the Red Chain, an item that Team Galactic’s Cyrus uses in the Gen 4 games to summon the Lake Trio

Also, this extends to most of the characters you will meet along the way when playing the game. Honestly, I’ve seen way too many videos on YouTube detailing the ancestry of several characters in the modern games that were featured in Legends: Arceus, and these were mind-boggling. Imagine creating an entire franchise for 25+ years, and still adding so much lore in the process for people to subscribe to!

Greatest origin story yet

In my opinion, Pokémon Legends: Arceus just feels like the perfect start to 2022 for the Pokémon franchise. Sure, it tackles the past of the Sinnoh region and features both old and new Pokémon in the mix, which is pretty standard for most “new” games. However, this was an entirely different experience than what a lot of fans are used to, and it’s a welcomed change.

The thing about this game, too, is that even after going through the main story, there’s so much to do in the post-game. Most open world games contain an epilogue that offers closure, but isn’t as long and expansive as how Pokémon games do it. With Legends: Arceus, the story and the journey doesn’t stop with (spoiler alert) beating Dialga or Palkia at the temple.

So far, this is the greatest Pokémon origin story the franchise has ever produced, and the gameplay offers an entirely fresh take on the Pokémon formula. This is something old and new fans will surely enjoy. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to catch the God Pokémon — and yes, spoiler alert, too!

Related Topics:Pokemon Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Gaming

Valve unveils price of the Steam Frame

The VR headset starts at US$ 1,059.

Published

September 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The trifecta is complete. Almost a year after announcing their new hardware, Valve has finally unveiled the price tag of the Steam Frame, complementing the Steam Machine and Steam Controller revealed a few months ago.

Whereas the Steam Machine is a console of its own, the Steam Frame is a traditional VR headset with a pair of controllers for both hands. Unfortunately, despite being in a different segment, the headset is not immune to the rising prices of technology. The Steam Frame will start at US$ 1,059 for a 256GB model and can go up to US$ 1,299 for the 1TB model. On the plus side, each box will come Half-Life: Alyx packaged along with the headset.

Here’s a more detailed rundown of what you’re getting. The Steam Frame will ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM. Each eye comes with a 2160 x 2160 LCD screen, putting out images at up t0 a 144Hz experimental refresh rate. As mentioned above, the headset will start with 256GB of storage but can go up to 2TB. It will come packaged with SteamOS 3 and a rechargeable 21.6Wh battery.

This might be a hard buy for some. The industry currently has more affordable options, for one. Also, virtual reality isn’t the most thriving segment of gaming today.

If you’re still decided on buying one, however, Valve is using its lottery system. Interested customers can sign up from now until September 17. The company will then randomize the purchasing order. Those who draw the first ones in the lottery can get a purchase email as soon as September 18. Meanwhile, anyone who registers after September 17 will automatically be put at the back of the queue.

Gaming

BlizzCon 2026 announces World of Warcraft: Forever and Diablo V

StarCraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, and more also get news

Published

September 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

Blizzard Entertainment kicked off BlizzCon 2026 with a packed Opening Ceremony featuring new games, major expansions, updates, and other announcements across its biggest franchises.

Blizzard Entertainment President Johanna Faries opened the event at the Anaheim Convention Center, celebrating the community behind the company’s games and the teams that bring its worlds to life.

World of Warcraft: Forever and Diablo V

The biggest announcement was World of Warcraft: Forever, a new World of Warcraft experience launching November 5 AEDT, with its beta beginning September 18 AEST. The new experience will feature three zones, more than 1,000 quests, nine dungeons, two raids, and a new Skyborne race.

Blizzard also officially announced Diablo V, marking the next era of the franchise. The game is set to launch in North America in Spring 2029, with Sanctuary having fallen and Diablo having won.

StarCraft is also returning with a new story-driven, open-world shooter. The game is currently planned for a Spring 2030 release in North America.

Beyond games, Blizzard revealed that an animated series set in the Diablo universe is in development with Netflix. The company says this is only the beginning of its plans to expand its universes beyond gaming.

For Warcraft III Reforged, the new Forsaken Kingdom campaign is available today. It marks the Warcraft RTS series’ first new storyline in more than 23 years and explores the fall of Lordaeron and the origins of the Undercity. The accompanying 3.0 update also brings graphical improvements and a revamped World Editor.

Heroes of the Storm is adding Xal’atath as its newest Hero. She arrives in the Nexus on September 29 AEST, with her PTR release scheduled for September 15 AEST.

Existing games updates

Meanwhile, Diablo IV is preparing for its next major content drop. Season of Hell’s Legacy begins September 16 AEST and celebrates the franchise’s 30-year history with the return of the Prime Evils and Deckard Cain, alongside themed rewards and gear.

The legendary Amazon class will also arrive in the first half of 2027 as part of Diablo IV’s first class pack. The Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection is additionally coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on September 16 AEST with cross-platform play and cross-progression.

For World of Warcraft, Blizzard teased the next major update for Midnight. Eclipse (12.2) will see Xal’atath move closer to her goal of claiming Azeroth’s Worldsoul. Blizzard also offered another look at The Last Titan, the next expansion in the Worldsoul Saga and a major culmination of more than two decades of Warcraft storytelling. More information is coming early next year.

Overwatch is getting a major update with Season 5. The season introduces new Support Hero Doctrine, reworks for Sombra and Roadhog, and the new Watchpoint: Grimsvötn map. It will also conclude The Reign of Talon, Overwatch’s first year-long narrative arc.

LE SSERAFIM & YOASABI

BlizzCon also featured performances from YOASOBI and LE SSERAFIM. YOASOBI will perform during the first-ever esports halftime show at BlizzCon, while LE SSERAFIM will return to the Main Stage to close the weekend. A new LE SSERAFIM in-game collaboration is available now, with another Overwatch Spotlight scheduled for February 2027.

Finally, Hearthstone is getting its first new class in more than six years. The Monk arrives in 2027, while the upcoming Reign of the Black Empire expansion takes players back to the earliest age of Azeroth. It introduces the Assemble keyword, which combines two cards into a new one. Battlegrounds is also adding Aberrations as a new minion type.

BlizzCon 2026 is now underway, with Blizzard promising more announcements and details throughout the weekend.

Gaming

Just Dance: Decades of Hits to launch on October 13

All-new Just Dance experience that brings every generation together

Published

September 12, 2026

GadgetMatch

Just Dance: Decades of Hits will launch on modern consoles on October 13, Ubisoft has announced.

This will offer fans of the franchise a new experience across eras of music. The game will be available on PlayStation5 , Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on the launch date.

Nintendo Switch 2 users, meanwhile, will be able to enjoy the title by November 10, 2026.

Just Dance: Decades of Hits brings together every generation to one dance floor with 25 iconic songs across six different decades:

Mamma Mia by ABBA
Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
It’s Tricky by Run-DMC
No Scrubs by TLC
Wannabe by Spice Girls
Bye Bye Bye by *NSYNC
Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz
Turn Down for What by DJ Snake and Lil Jon
Danza Kuduro by Don Omar feat. Lucenzo
Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter
NUEVAYoL by Bad Bunny
And more!

Bringing every generation together

Songs, visuals, and an all-new Adventure Mode are all designed to immerse players in the spirit that made each decade unforgettable.

From the funky ’70s disco floors and the electrifying ’80s rock scene to the glossy 2000s pop and beyond, travel through time and share the joy of rediscovering iconic moments with friends and family.

In Adventure Mode, follow Lyra, Dr. Gigavolt’s daughter, in a playful journey through time to rescue her father.

Explore the decades through six themed worlds, enjoy fun mini activities, and unlock exclusive rewards.

For unpredictable, chaotic fun where the rules change every round, players can jump into Party Mode. Or they can get moving with the Workout Mode, which tracks calories burned with each dance.

Up to six players can dance locally in the game, with no extra accessories needed.

In addition those who own Just Dance: Decades of Hits as well as Just Dance 2023-2026 editions will be able access all their songs in one place on the same console without having to switch games or separate menus.

This also includes songs from purchased Music Packs and songs available through an active Just Dance+ subscription.