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

Features

LOQ and LOAD: The Lenovo LOQ 2024 is for gaming and more

Your entry to PC Gaming

Published

April 23, 2024

GadgetMatch

Get your game on with the Lenovo LOQ 2024. This capable laptop is your entry point to PC Gaming and a lot more.

It comes an absolutely affordable price point: PhP 48,995.

You get capable hardware and the hood to support gaming and more. The Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9I runs on the 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and Intel Arc Graphics.

Those are key to bringing unreal graphics to this segment. Supporting latest tech like DirectX 12 Ultimate, players are able to enjoy high frame rates on the Lenovo LOQ.

Creating content? It comes with AI Advantage to help boost performance. Engines and accelerators boost the media processing workloads especially for creatives. It also works with Intel’s X Super Machine Learning, Leading to images that are as close to reality.

The laptop supports a configuration of up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD Storage.

As for its display, the device has a large 15.6-inch, Full HD panel that is more than enough for gaming, video editing, content consumption, and whatever else you do on a laptop. This display has 144Hz refresh rate, 300 nits brightness, and anti-glare.

Videos come out clear, crisp, and realistic. Audio is punchy and as loud as it gets. Windows Sonic elevates it more when you use headphones. And it just takes a few minutes to render HD videos on editing software.

As it runs on Windows 11, if you are going to use it for work, you can take advantage of various features. The Lenovo Vantage Widget is there for constant reminders, Copilot will help you organize your tasks, and Microsoft Edge is there for casual browsing.

There is an assortment of ports at the back for easy connectivity. And as this is meant for gaming, we put it to the test. Racing that looks better with high frame rate? Check. Shooting titles that require heavy work? Not a problem. You can play all your favorites and not worry about performance.

Best of all, it takes less than an our to juice up this laptop all the way to 100%.

So, whether you’re looking to get started with PC Gaming, or an upgrade for work and entertainment needs, the Lenovo LOQ has you covered.

This feature is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and Lenovo Philippines.

Gaming

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes out now

Forge your destiny

Published

April 23, 2024

GadgetMatch

Rabbit and Bear Studios and 505 Games’ Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is now available across multiple platforms. One of the most anticipated JRPGs in recent memory may now be played on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Moreover, it may be accessed on PC via Steam, the Epic Games store, and GOG.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is crafted by game developers Junko Kawano (Suikoden I, IV) and the late Yoshitaka Murayama (Suikoden I, II). The title features a modern take on classic 2D side-scrolling games. It has a six-character battle system, meticulous 2D sprites and 3D backgrounds, and a riveting story. As the name suggests, you can play over 100 characters.

GadgetMatch had the privilege of playing the game’s early preview here: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes First Impressions

The refreshed environment immediately stands out. There is more detail, depth, and movement compared to how side-scrolling games of the past used to be played. The game lets players choose their party mates. Meanwhile, the actual combat is turn-based, giving players room to strategize what sequences or gimmicks to select.

With more than 100 characters to choose from, the game also allows players to appropriately select heroes fit for certain regions and dungeons throughout the story. Moreover, some are designated catalysts that can give you access to more of the world’s treasures. In between, users may enjoy mini-games, like the fishing side quest in the preview. The collected fish can be part of another mini-game — cooking — as ingredients for recipes you can cook with.

Features

Why choose the MSI Claw?

Is it the gaming handheld for you?

Published

April 18, 2024

GadgetMatch

The MSI Claw is the latest gaming handheld from a major PC and laptop brand. The competition in this emerging gadget segment is tighter than ever. So, what is it about the MSI Claw that can scratch your gaming itch? Here’s a quick list.

Best grip in the game

One quick glance and it’s hard not to compare the claw with another popular gaming handheld. But a closer look and actually holding the thing will reveal that its grip easily feels better.

It has a slightly deeper groove that makes it easier to hold. So, MSI’s “Grip and Game” tagline isn’t all talk. Its design truly does provide one of the better feeling handles among its competition.

The overall design makes sure it’s made for extended gameplay sessions. The buttons are where you expect them to be. That includes the four mini buttons on the upper edges of the screen. These are the View, MSI Center M, Menu, and Quick Settings buttons.

In addition, the face buttons and d-pad all feel great. The face buttons, in particular, feel comparable to those of regular console controllers.

The rest of the buttons and triggers have a very satisfying tactile feel. It also uses Hall Effect technology to get rid of any stick drift issues.

Up top, you’ll find the power button, MicroSD Card slot, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, audio jack, and the volume buttons. These are intuitively placed and just makes sense given the overall design approach.

As cliché as it sounds, you’ll really think you got your money’s worth once you hold, touch, press, and grip the MSI Claw.

Dragon Vision

Now, MSI isn’t really calling it that but I thought it sounds pretty cool. A big part of the whole gaming experience is the display. Balancing resolution and frame rates is always tricky but the MSI Claw does it convincingly.

With this gaming handheld, you get a 7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Looks great on paper and it’s even better in real life. It’s the sweet spot in terms of both size and performance. There’s enough here to immerse you all while delivering a satisfying level of crisp and smoothness.

It’s comfortable to view whether you’re on the couch, on a desk table, or lying down getting a quick game in before you get some shut-eye.

Battery Life

At 53Whr, the MSI Claw has a 36% larger battery capacity than its contemporaries and promises 50% more play time.

MSI claims “elevated performance with extended endurance” using the Claw with faster charging capabilities.

These percentages are hard to measure in real life usage. What we can say for certain is that you get the expected performance and playtime typical of a handheld. That’s a little under two hours for graphically demanding titles, and close to four hours on less demanding ones.

The charging claim is legitimate. The MSI Claw juices up faster than most other handhelds, going from 20% to 100% in about a little over a K-Drama episode (roughly a little over an hour).

MSI Center M

Any self-respecting gaming handheld has its own software to make navigating the thing more manageable. While its direct competitors have an armoury crate and a space, MSI went with Center M.

The best part about MSI Center M is it puts your installed games front and center. Right when it launches, you get immediate access to the titles you have available on your machine.

MSI Afterburner is already the most commonly used app for taking a look at how your machine is performing while you play. That functionality is built-in to the MSI Claw. You can access it view the Quick Settings buttons.

Layout and functionality-wise, the MSI Center M is certainly one of the better Gaming Handheld softwares available right now.

Competitive Performance

A defining trait of the MSI Claw is that It’s the first gaming handheld to be powered by Intel Core Ultra. With it comes Intel XeSS tech. What it does is leverage AI upscaling to boost the fps of select titles.

As of launch, 50 notable games are supported. That number will certainly grow throughout the device’s lifespan. Some of the titles include Hi-Fi Rush, Dying Light 2, Forza Horizon 5, Call of Duty Warzone 2.0, Returnal, and many, many more.

Naturally, results will vary depending on the game mode you’re using. But in general, AAA games get anywhere between 10% to 45% better frame rate performance with Intel XeSS.

For our part we played TEKKEN 8 and the recently launched Horizon Forbidden West. Both graphically demanding games played relatively well on the MSI Claw. Frame rate performance on TEKKEN 8 is crucial and we got a relatively consistent fps, never dropping below 40.

Horizon Forbidden West is a much more graphically demanding game. We were able to run it in Medium Settings and while it doesn’t look as incredible, it still played relatively well with a frame rate surprising for a gaming handheld.

Extras

MSI made sure that if you wanted to, you could get some extra stuff with the MSI Claw. Its separately sold accessory set includes the Claw Travel Case, Nest Docking Station, Claw Lanyard, and Claw Keychain.

On paper, the MSI Claw lists its ergonomic design, AI Engine, and App Player as distinct advantages over its competition.

Whether it’s the Gaming Handheld that matches your needs is still ultimately up to you. If you have the opportunity to test drive the device, we suggest you do so. That might just solidify your purchase decision.