Movies

8 Pokémon Regions That Should Get The Legends Treatment

BBG News

When players initially caught sight of it, many found themselves taken aback, for unlike the previous title, Legends: Arceus, it wasn’t set in the past. Instead, Legends: Z-A is positioned in the present and seems to unfold a few years following the events of both X and Y. Although some felt let down by this deviation from the established course, this change paved the way for redefining what constitutes a game within the Legends series.

To date, the fundamental concept of the Pokémon Legends games centers around a 3D world that promotes exploration, movement, stealth, and engaging with diverse Pokémon in their natural habitats. The specifics such as location, storyline, and player progress are yet to be determined, opening up numerous possibilities for various regions. Whether the game is set within a single city or encompasses an entire region, the possibilities are endless.

Featured In Red/Green/Yellow, Gold/Silver/Crystal, FireRed/LeafGreen, HeartGold/SoulSilver, and Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee

The location has been part of many games, but some may think revisiting it isn’t necessary. However, the region’s widespread appeal makes a Kanto “Legends” game an ideal choice. Since players are already acquainted with the Kanto region and its 2D map layout, transforming it into a 3D environment for more in-depth exploration would add freshness to a familiar place.

Although no city in the Kanto region is vast enough to sustain an entire game by itself, they are rich in history. Perhaps players could assist in evacuating Cinnabar Island ahead of its impending volcanic destruction in a future Johto game. They might also participate in a Mew search expedition during the ’90s or delve into Lavender Tower’s past, encountering ghostly inhabitants. Numerous famous Kantonian landmarks could serve as the foundation for a new game, whether it’s just a portion of the region or the full map. Providing players with a fresh perspective to explore Kanto would add a lot of excitement, and given its extensive development, there are numerous possibilities for developers to expand upon what has already been created.

Featured In Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald and Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire

Hoenn is frequently recognized for its abundance of water, which could make it stand out in a potential “Legends” game. Instead of relying heavily on land travel, the game could emphasize water exploration more. To take things up a notch, Game Freak might consider setting the game in an alternate Hoenn where Team Aqua’s mission to expand the oceans was successful. This would evoke a sense similar to navigating the expansive seas and scattered islands seen in “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

Emphasizing water-based adventures could distinguish a Hoenn Legends game from others, much like how Legends: Z-A capitalizes on Kalos’s grand Lumiose City. Although implementing stealth mechanics and tracking Pokémon might prove challenging with a water focus, the unique characteristics of the Hoenn region would make it worthwhile to create something fresh and engaging.

Featured In Sun/Moon and Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon

For the first time in the primary Pokémon series, the Alola games deviated significantly from tradition. Unlike previous games, Sun and Moon omitted gym challenges altogether, focusing instead on trials and confronting an island’s Kahuna. The duo of Lillie was also given a more substantial role, transitioning her from a typical side character to a deuteragonist. Given the series’ recent trend of disrupting established patterns, it is fitting that Game Freak returns to Alola for a spin-off series that has gained notoriety for its formula-changing approach.

As a gamer, I can’t help but imagine the potential for a fully-realized 3D map of each island in Alola, a return of Ride Pokémon like Mantine for seamless island hopping. The rich lore of this region is ripe for exploration – from meeting the Guardian Deities of old to facing new challenges posed by the Ultra Beasts. Post-game content could see my character venturing from Alola to Ultra Megalopolis, aiding in controlling the Ultra Beasts or rebuilding the city post-Necrozma. Such an expansion would not only be a captivating continuation of the stories in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon, but also an excellent chance to delve deeper into the lives of the citizens of Ultra Megalopolis.

Featured In Sword and Shield

Stands apart, and there are two paths a Legends game set in this area could traverse: one path might delve into ancient history or venture into distant futures. A historical setting would offer an opportunity to immerse in a Pokémon universe steeped in knights and nobles, a vaguely European fantasy style that enjoys immense popularity and has seldom been fully explored by the series. Regardless of whether it’s before or after the original Darkest Day, there’s ample room for innovation, such as noblewomen riding Galarian Rapidash, knights battling alongside Dragon-types, and a world where Pokémon trainers emulate wandering knights engaging in duels across the land. There’s a reason so many tales are drawn to that medieval setting, as it stirs the imagination.

In my gaming perspective, positioning the game in the future as depicted in Sword and Shield’s plot would shed light on one of its intriguing mysteries: Rose’s anxiety about an energy crisis a hundred years down the line. Some players found this threat too distant to be of immediate concern, but setting a Legendary game during that very crisis could retroactively validate Rose’s fears, even if his actions were questionable. It would be intriguing indeed if the narrative made us reevaluate whether stopping him was the best long-term solution, although such introspection is uncommon in Pokémon games. No matter the era, Galar holds great promise, especially as the region that introduced the Wild Area. A Legendary spin-off could delve deeper into this concept, enhance exploration, and offer visual upgrades. A fresh perspective on Galar might just be what the series needs to shake things up a bit.

Featured In Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia

If the Legends series is focused on pushing boundaries and exploring new territories, why restrict it to only regions showcased in the primary games? The Pokémon Ranger games are teeming with unique Pokémon and natural challenges that could make an excellent fit for a Legends spin-off game set in Almia, a region rich in potential for further exploration.

In Almia, you’ll find a diverse range of environments, including thick forests, barren deserts, towering volcanoes, and frigid tundras, providing ample opportunities for exploration, regardless of whether you choose to return as a Ranger or not. Furthermore, the dungeons, particularly Almia Castle in the northern part of the region, would be mesmerizing in 3D. It’s exciting to think about revisiting a location from the Ranger games, and even more intriguing if it’s through an innovative new adventure instead of a direct remake, offering fresh insights for new players about this captivating region.

Featured In Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

In the vast expanse of sand lies Orre, a sparsely populated desert landscape that lends an eerie post-apocalyptic vibe reminiscent of the Colosseum games. For a Legend-style game, this setting would make an exceptional fit for a Pokémon-inspired Mad Max scenario. With merely five towns and some crucial landmarks, Orre offers the ideal scale for a game as expansive as Legends: Arceus. Shadow Pokémons could be used to represent Alphas, given their menacing and aggressive nature, making them formidable adversaries best tackled once players have built up their strength.

In my opinion, the ultimate “Legends” game set in Orre would be a prequel to “Colosseum,” unfolding during an era when nefarious organizations like The Under were still under Cipher’s grip. This setting would intensify the lawless desert ambiance, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of “Star Wars” or a futuristic western. I envision myself as a nomadic traveler, moving from town to town in this game.

Featured In Pokémon Conquest

At a glance, Ransei might seem most similar to Legends: Arceus, given their shared roots in ancient Japan. Interestingly, the layout of Ransei mirrors Arceus itself. However, instead of focusing on mythical creatures like Arceus, Ransei centers around its 17 kingdoms, one for each type that debuted with Pokémon Conquest. The next significant expansion in Ransei would be the introduction of a Fairy-type kingdom and its monarch.

The game didn’t delve deeply into the kingdoms, mainly focusing on the castles that the player conquered. This opens up a vast opportunity for a new game to create detailed towns and societies within each kingdom. The game could either focus on a few kingdoms or explore all of them in an epic journey. If the narrative centers around a single kingdom, the player might become embroiled in local affairs or serve as a regional scout under the ruler’s command, creating a gaming experience reminiscent of a samurai drama with elements of Pokémon. Alternatively, it could be likened to Pokémon‘s take on Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Read More

2025-04-27 01:39

Previous post Should You Give The Ring To Savlian Or Keep It In Oblivion Remastered?
Next post Why Judge Dredd Could Be The Next Big Hit Like The Boys – But Even Better!