Mastering Hisui: The Completionist’s Guide to Pokémon Legends: Arceus

For the truly dedicated Pokémon trainer, simply finishing the main storyline is never enough. The real challenge lies in achieving 100% completion, mastering every facet of the game, and leaving no stone unturned. Pokémon Legends: Arceus, with its sprawling landscapes and unique mechanics, presents a particularly compelling (and time-consuming) challenge for completionists. So, the burning question remains: How long does it actually take to achieve true mastery of the Hisui region?

The answer, in short, is roughly 78 hours. This, however, is a highly variable estimate. Factors like your prior Pokémon experience, your dedication to efficient gameplay, and even a little bit of luck can significantly impact your completion time. A casual player may take closer to 100 hours, while a highly optimized speedrunner (who still aims for 100%) could potentially shave that down considerably. Let’s dive into what constitutes 100% completion in Arceus and the tasks that contribute most to the overall playtime.

What Does 100% Completion in Pokémon Legends: Arceus Entail?

Achieving full completion goes far beyond simply defeating the final boss. It’s about truly immersing yourself in the world, understanding its intricacies, and mastering every task it has to offer. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:

• Completing the Pokédex: This is the cornerstone of any Pokémon game, but Arceus takes it a step further. You’re not just catching one of each Pokémon; you need to reach Research Level 10 for every single entry in the Hisui Pokédex. This involves completing specific research tasks for each Pokémon, such as catching multiple specimens, defeating them in battle using specific moves, evolving them, and observing their behaviors. Some research tasks can be achieved very quickly, while others require significant dedication and potentially rare encounters.

• Catching Arceus: This is, after all, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Completing the Pokédex is the key to unlocking the final, climactic encounter with the mythical Pokémon itself.

• Defeating All Alpha Pokémon: Alpha Pokémon are larger, stronger versions of regular Pokémon that roam the Hisui region. Finding and defeating (or catching) every single one is a considerable task, requiring both skill and patience.

• Completing All Requests: Requests are side quests given by NPCs throughout the game. Some are simple fetch quests, while others involve more complex tasks like tracking down specific Pokémon or crafting certain items. There are 94 Requests in total, and completing them all is essential for 100% completion.

• Collecting All Unown: Scattered throughout the Hisui region are the 28 forms of Unown, hidden in various environments, often in obscure or challenging-to-reach locations. Finding them all requires exploring every corner of the map and solving environmental puzzles. To level them up to level 10 for research, you need to find all 28 Unown.

• Obtaining All Outfits and Hairstyles: The game offers a variety of cosmetic items that can be purchased or unlocked through gameplay. Collecting them all is another time sink for completionists.

• Maxing Out Your Star Rank: This involves completing research tasks and reporting your findings to Professor Laventon. As you progress, your Star Rank increases, unlocking new areas, items, and crafting recipes.

• Completing All Path of Solitude Challenges: You must have at least one Pokemon at level 100 to do these challenges, and the game can be difficult.

The Time Sink: Why 78 Hours (or More)?

Several aspects of Pokémon Legends: Arceus contribute to its lengthy completion time.

• Pokédex Research: Achieving Research Level 10 for every Pokémon is the biggest time investment. Some Pokémon require specific conditions to fulfill certain research tasks, which can be time-consuming and reliant on luck. Finding specific Pokemon and specific variants of Pokemon can also take a long time, such as an Alpha Shiny Pokemon.

• Resource Gathering: Crafting is a vital part of Arceus. Gathering the necessary resources for crafting Poké Balls, potions, and other essential items can take up a significant amount of time, especially if you’re aiming to maximize your efficiency.

• Exploration: The Hisui region is vast and filled with secrets. Exploring every nook and cranny to find Unown, Alpha Pokémon, and hidden items takes time and dedication. This can be a fun aspect of the game, however, that many players enjoy.

• Grinding: While not as prevalent as in some other Pokémon games, some amount of grinding is still required, especially for leveling up Pokémon to complete certain research tasks or to take on tougher challenges.

Tips for Efficient Completion

If you’re determined to achieve 100% completion in Pokémon Legends: Arceus as efficiently as possible, here are a few tips:

• Focus on Research Tasks: Prioritize research tasks that can be completed quickly and easily. This will help you level up your Star Rank and unlock new areas and items faster.

• Utilize Mass Outbreaks: Mass Outbreaks provide opportunities to catch multiple Pokémon of the same species quickly, making it easier to complete certain research tasks.

• Learn Crafting Recipes: Crafting is essential, so learn the recipes early and gather resources whenever you can.

• Optimize Your Team: Build a well-rounded team of Pokémon that can handle a variety of battles and challenges.

• Use Online Resources: There are many online resources available, such as guides and checklists, that can help you track your progress and identify areas where you need to focus your efforts. There are also plenty of Pokemon community that have great tips to share.

Pokémon and Education: A Connection?

The dedication and problem-solving skills required to fully complete Pokémon Legends: Arceus highlights the potential for video games in educational settings. Games like this encourage strategic thinking, resource management, and perseverance – all valuable skills that can be applied in various aspects of life. To further explore the intersection of gaming and education, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Pokémon Legends: Arceus a short game?

No, while focusing solely on the main story might take around 25-30 hours, completing all aspects of the game significantly extends playtime.

2. What happens when you 100% Pokémon Arceus?

Besides bragging rights, you receive the Shiny Charm, which increases your chances of encountering Shiny Pokémon. You will also be able to battle Arceus.

3. Do you need level 10 to get Arceus?

You don’t need Research Level 10 for every Pokemon to catch Arceus. However, you do need to have caught at least one of every species in the Pokédex. Reaching Research Level 10 for all Pokémon unlocks the Shiny Charm.

4. What is the longest Pokémon game?

Traditionally, Pokémon Diamond & Pearl were considered the longest, with completion times reaching upwards of 260 hours. However, Pokémon Legends: Arceus may rival this, depending on your definition of “completion.”

5. Is Pokémon Arceus a hard game?

Yes, Arceus is generally considered more challenging than previous main-series Pokémon titles due to more aggressive Pokemon and new combat mechanics.

6. Can a 5-year-old play Pokémon Arceus?

While it depends on the child, the game’s increased difficulty might be frustrating for children under 8.

7. Is Arceus an offline game?

Yes, you can play Pokémon Legends: Arceus offline, especially with a physical copy of the game. Internet connection is only required for online features.

8. Who is the strongest God Pokémon?

Arceus is widely considered the strongest Pokémon, being the creator of the universe in Pokémon lore.

9. Who is the first Pokémon?

According to Ken Sugimori, Rhydon was the first Pokémon designed, despite its later Pokédex number.

10. What is the hardest Pokémon game to beat?

Pokémon Black, White, Black 2 & White 2 are often cited as the hardest due to challenging Trainer battles and a higher overall difficulty curve.

11. What’s the shortest Pokémon game?

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! tend to be the shortest in the main series.

12. Who is stronger than Arceus?

In their normal forms, no Pokémon are definitively stronger than Arceus. However, certain forms like Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo boast higher base stats.

13. Who can defeat God Arceus?

In the competitive scene, various Pokémon can defeat Arceus depending on the specific battle conditions and strategies.

14. Which is the rarest Pokémon?

Rarity varies depending on the game. In the original 150, Mewtwo was extremely rare.

15. Does Pokémon Arceus have PvP?

No, Pokémon Legends: Arceus does not feature traditional player-versus-player battles.