Family Guide to Pokémon Legends Arceus: Age Rating 7
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the latest game in the Pokémon series. Like previous titles, you compete in turn-based battles and try and collect as many Pokémon as you can. Arceus expands the game with an open world to explore, and changes the way you fight, catch and use the many Pokémon. It offers a more immersive, varied and strategic game.
Set in the distant past, in the Hisui region, which eventually becomes the Sinnoh region where the Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum games, along with their remakes, take place. Unlike the previous games, where people and Pokémon have coexisted for centuries, most of the people you meet are ignorant, and in many cases fearful, of the Pokémon if the land. It's up to you, with the help of Galaxy Team's Survey Corps to complete the first-ever Pokédex by capturing one of every species. Along the way, you face off against powerful alpha and noble Pokémon, and even a dangerous rift in spacetime itself.
Whereas other Pokémon games have you entering turn-based battles, weakening the Pokémon and then catching them, here, you have the chance to catch a Pokémon without even battling it, by sneaking up behind it and using a well-timed throw, or distracting them with a lure.
Battles, too, are different: while they are still turn-based at their core, you have the choice between using more powerful versions of moves more frequently or more powerful versions at the expense of speed, allowing an opportunity for opponents to counter.
This all results in a more skill-based experience than the previous games, where you have the opportunity to employ multiple different tactics. You can also complete side quests that reward you with valuable items or money in the town, which is the hub for all your surveying expeditions into the varied and unique climates of Hisui.
Age Rating
Rated PEGI 7 for Mild Violence. This game features cartoon-like combat between fantasy characters, mainly during turn-based battles. The violence found in this combat is unrealistic, as are reactions to it.
Attacks don't cause any visible harm or hurt and impacts result in characters flinching or being knocked backwards, with a reduction in their health bar. When defeated, characters simply faint. Human-like characters can also be attacked, but their reactions are minimal, simply flashing red.
Their health regenerates if they dodge and run away, but if they are repeatedly hit, they look tired and fall to their knees, after which the screen fades to black. The game features some large Pokémon that can roar disturbingly. This may be a bit intense for younger players.
Duration
Pokémon Legends: Arceus will take between 25 hours and 35 hours to complete. Although the main story lasts about 30 hours, you can spend many more completing side missions, exploring and catching Pokémon, and completing the post-story content.
Similar Games
If you are looking for similar games to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the following offer a range of experiences suitable for a wide audience:
