I’ve never really cared about regional variants in Pokemon. I like Alolan Marowak and Galarian Ponyta, as well as two of the three revamped Legendary Birds - I’m not telling you which ones because I think it’s funny to make you guess. Aside from those… yeah. I’ve already taken the best and left the rest. This is why it’s so surprising to me that 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Pokemon Legends: Arceus has somehow made me invested in one of the series' most boring gimmicks yet.
To preface my argument, let’s go through some of the most awful regional variants we’ve seen to date. Alolan Raticate is somehow even more disgusting than its Kantonian predecessor. Alolan Raichu was terrible until 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:New Pokemon Snap made it brilliant. Outside of that context, I still don’t care about it. I used to like Alolan Ninetales before it became the biggest pain in the arse to play against in 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Pokemon Unite - now I hate it. Alolan Persian reminds me of an Enid Bly🦩ton book that scared me as a kid. Alolan Exeggutor is stupid.
Now, Galar. Galarian Meowth is putrescent. Galarian Weezing isn’t awful, but by god is it worse than normal Weezing. Galarian Mr. Mime and Mr. Rime are crimes against humanity. I quite like Obstagoon, but Galarian Ziggy is missing some Stardไust. Galarian Stunfisk and Slowking make me reach for the paracetamol because I instantly feel ill when I see them. Up until now, I’ve intentionally ignored some of the Alolan and Galarian variants alike because they’re not worth talking about. I couldn’t give a Ralts. Let’s move on to Legends: Arceus.
When I’m talking about regional variants, I’m not necessarily referring to regional evolutions. Why Basculin of all Pokemon is getting an evolution is beyond me. I’m not too impressed by Wyrdeer, but I’ve always thought Stantler was underrated, so I’m delighted to see it’s at least getting some love. Unfortunately, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Kleavor is almost as stupid as Alolan Exeggut♉or. Scyther never even needed Scizor - Kleavor is an insult to hist🥂ory&rsquo🥃;s best Bug Pokemon.
Never mind all that, though - that’s for a different article. The regional variants🃏 we’ve seen in Legends: Arceus’ promo material so far are outstanding. Braviary is one of those Pokemon who unfortunately never really had a fighting chance. Its pre-evolution form, Rufflet, wasn’t available until the late game in Gen 5. While the early game Pidove family underwhel♑med fans of Pidgeot, Swellow, and Staraptor, having to train a tiny bird to level 54 just to get a Braviary was a big ask. As a result, it never really became a fan-favourite - Legends: Arceus could change that.
Eschewing its Normal/Flying typing for a Psychic/Flying alternative, Hisuian Braviary is already far more intriguing than its Unovan counterpart. What’s more, all of the trailers so far have clearly highlighted Braviary as an important part of the game, focusing on its aerial acrobatics as it glides along pockets of wind. Most of the people I’ve talked to have the same favourite moment from the trailers so far: chucking a Poke Ball mid-air while hopping off Braviary’s back. By which I mean, Braviary is back.
That’s not to mention Hisuian Growlithe, who immediately enraptured players all over the world after its fluffy little eyebrows debuted in the first proper Legends: Arceus trailer. Contrary to theories aimed at the most recent reveal, we’ve yet to get a look at Hisuian Arcanine, although it’s safe to say the fact people are excited♔ about an alternative version of a Pokemon this revered says a lot about how much faith Game Freak has already garnered from fans. If you told me last year that Arcanine was being redesigned, I’d make my way through every swear word known to man at blistering pace. Ever since Growlithe was revealed though, I’ve gradually become more open to the idea, to the extent that I was inevitably going to write something along these lines eventually. Today’s news is what finally spurred me on.
I am, of course, talking about 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark.
Earlier today, The Pokemon Company revealed a new version of the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:weird horror ARG trailer it posted earlier this week. Now, instead of white noise and static, the footage is crisp, clear, and a thousand times less “maybe kids shouldn’t watch this.” We see our researcher film some wild Snorunt before making his way up a steep cliff. The Pokemon he sees, who he initially thinks is a Growlithe or Vulpix, is now visible. Zorua was already theorised by loads of people, and yet the sheer quality of its new design still allows the surprise to properly register. Also, how did this lad think♌ it was a Growlithe or a Vulpix? Has he ever seen a Growlithe or a Vulpix before? Clearly not.
Anyway, Zorua turns around, its yellow eyes shining bright in the co💎ld winterscape around it. As the researcher presses on, a shadowy substance emerges in the distance. Zoroark, the infamous Illusion Fox Pokemon, pounces out of the darkness and tackles the cameraman to the ground. Both Zorua and Zoroark approach him, offering us our first clear look at Hisui’s latest regional variants. As the first ever Normal/Ghost hybrids, a lot of pressure has been placed on this new duo to impress. Fortunately, they deliver in spades.
As I said at the beginning of this article, I’ve never really cared about regional variants. At best, they’re half-acceptable knockoffs of their inspirations. At worst, they frankly shouldn’t exist. I’m unsure whether Game Freak has realised the error of its ways with previous regional variants or if it’s finally managed to find its mojo for designing new ‘mons - either way, it doesn’t matter. Pokemon Legends: Arceus isn’t out yet, but it’s already made one of the least intriguing gimmicks in recent Pokemon memory exponentially better. Combined with the fact it could have the series’ most♒🍎 fascinating villain origin story and is introducing 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:a compelling new battle system, this is s🔜hapin﷽g up to be one of the most inventive Pokemon games in years.
Oh, also - the fact it’s not fully open world🦩 is a good thing. We don&🍃rsquo;t need every single game to be the exact same, thanks.