Pokémon Legends: Arceus has blown us away, quickly becoming one of the fastest selling games in the franchise. After a few years of titles leaving fans with mixed reviews, The Pokémon Company seems to have hit the nail on the head here. Fans both old and new have been having a blast exploring the Sinnoh region in a new era, and it’s obvious that fans are going to want more. So when we inevitably get a new installment in this “Legends” subseries, where within the Pokémon world should it take place?
First, let’s look at Sinnoh. Sinnoh is a region featured in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, as well as their recent remakes in the form of last year’s Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. The region became a fan favorite far before Pokémon Legends: Arceus was announced. Initially based on Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, Sinnoh shares many features in common with the real world geography and culture. As we can see in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the same holds true for the Sinnoh of the past, known in game as the Hisui Region. Hisui pulls inspiration from Japan’s past, representing characters in kimonos and gi, as well as a unique art style that is reminiscent of something from a Studio Ghibli film.
With a second “Legends” game being a definite possibility, where in the Pokémon world would you like to visit years in the past?
My first thought is the Kalos Region, featured in Pokémon X and Y. Kalos is based on France, and already features many castles and references to knights and kings in the “present day” of the game. I’d love to see a Pokémon game set in a medieval or gothic setting. Characters could dress in suits of armor or fanciful dresses or robes, and they could explore even more castles and palaces, meeting knights and or scholars of the Renaisssance. We could even see some crossover with Galar, Pokémon Sword and Shield’s region based on the United Kingdom.
Another idea could be the Hoenn Region from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald and their remakes. Hoenn is based on Kyushu, one of the southern islands off Japan, and includes many islands and coastlines. In the past, we could continue the same feeling as Pokémon Legends: Arceus, though with some more water, possibly involving surfing or sailing from island to island, like in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
My personal choice would be the Unova region from Pokémon Black and White, based on both New York City and upstate New York. Seeing a Pokémon game set during the colonial period, or shortly after the Industrial Revolution, would be something I’d love to see. Additionally, the Unova games are suspected to be the “next” games to be remade after Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, so it’s very likely the Pokémon Company already has something planned for Unova.
What about you? Do you want to see a region I left out, like the islands of Alola or the mountains of Johto? Let us know which region you’d love to explore in the comments below, or join us on the Boss Rush Discord!
Image Source: Nintendo