A new direction for the long-runningPokémonfranchise was marked withPokémon Legends: Arceusin 2022. Developer Game Freak has been quiet about continuing theArceusarc, a particularly difficult task considering its setting. Now, the Mythical Pokémon Arceus has gotten a new story, though not in the form that fans were hoping for.
The legend of Arceus continues inPokémon Masters EX,the mobile gacha-based Pokémon game published by DeNA. The event was revealed on a specialPokémon Masterswebsite created to commemorate the five-year anniversary of the mobile game.
To celebrate the special occasion, the game will be hosting giveaways, handing out special log-in bonuses, andlaunching a whole new story arc surrounding the legend of Arceus.A reveal trailer shows new outfits and trainer-Pokémon pairs that can be pulled during the event.
Pokémon’s Arceus is Actually Much More Powerful in the Anime Than the Games
Despite its prominent reputation in Pokémon lore, Arceus’s vast power is better displayed in a movie than in the games it was created for.
Arceus Comes To Pokémon Masters EX With Special Powers & Outfits
Only Available For A Limited Time
Pokémon Mastersis introducing three trainers wearing the Arc Suit,a special outfit that’s been blessed by the Mythical Pokémon Arceus. Players will have a chance to get special Arc Suit versions of Cynthia and her sync partner Garchomp, Steven and his Metagross, and Lance and his Dragonite. In addition, players who complete the anniversary event can add Lillie and Solgaleo (in place of the usualLillie and Polteagiest pair) to their teams, for a chance to level her up to her full power and win “luxurious prizes.” More Arc Suit pairings will be revealed as the event continues.
In addition to special items,the event introduces a new arc in the game’s story. The Arceus Cup is a special tournament that tests trainers' bonds with their Pokémon. The story arc continues from where Mysterious Stones finished and centers around the special Arc Suit sync pairs and how they connect to the in-game world of Pasio. This is a good time for new players to join the mobile journey, as players who log in by September 14 can collect up to 6,000 Gems and a 10-Pair Scout Ticket each day for 10 days, giving them an excellent chance to snag the Arceus-themed items.
This specialPokémon Masters EXevent is live now for a limited time. Players can join in for a chance to get the Arceus-themeditems by July 10, 2025.Pokémonfans who want to continue the story ofPokémon Legends: Arceuscan joinPokémon MastersEXfor this special event. It might not be a directfollow-up toArceuslikeLegends: Z-A, but the Arceus Arc keeps the story alive in a different medium. This may be the only return to the world ofArceusfor a while, as it’s been confirmed that the nextPokémongame is alreadyteasing a return to Galar.
The New Pokémon Story Arc Brings Arceus To The Present
Direct Follow-Up To Pokémon Legends: Arceus
The new arc stars Akari and Rei, the protagonists ofPokémon Legends: Arceuswho joined the mobile game in September 2023. It begins when strange, powerful stones show up all across the land. Champion Cynthia leads the team to investigate the mystery and unlock their power.It quickly becomes apparent that the stones react to the bond between Pokémon and their trainers, and probably came from the past through a space-time rift. In fact, they may have been sent to test the trainers in this world by none other than Arceus, whose voice sounds to all, saying, “Show me thy bond.”
Apparently, the stones aren’t the only thing that’s traveled across the rift.Arceus’traveling merchant and historian, Volo, makes an appearance and states that Arceus might be testing trainers through these stones. He suggests that they start a tournament to find the most worthy trainers, in the hopes that this will spur Arceus to make an appearance.
Players will follow the story as the trainers prepare their Pokémon for battle at the new Arceus Cup. But not all is as it seems, and trouble soon rears its head.This story arc dives right into the story following the end ofPokémon Legends: Arceus, and fans who haven’t playedArceusshould be aware that this crossover reveals a late-game spoiler.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus Doesn’t Shy Away From Trying New Things
It Offered A New Twist On An Old Formula
Between the gameplay and setting,Arceusfelt like a whole different experience from previousPokémongames. But at the center of it all was the titular Pokémon, Arceus. This god-like entity is behind the protagonists' time-traveling adventures, and its yellow and white design features heavily in the new content coming toPokémon Masters EX.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus was a surprising addition to thePokémonfranchise when it was released in 2022. The game took the tried-and-true formula of classicPokémongames and gave it a couple of new twists.Arceusplaced more emphasis on exploration and the environment, and less on fighting. In fact,trainers could now sneak around in the bushes and capture unsuspecting Pokémon just by throwing the ball at them, bypassing the battle system entirely. The result was more dynamic gameplay and a generally positive reception from long-time and new fans of the series.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus Review - More Than A Trainer Journey
Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes risks to introduce new gameplay to an old series, restoring the enjoyment in a trainer journey and Pokémon story.
TheArceusstory takes the protagonist back in time to the Hisui region, before Pokémon and people learned to work together. It offers fans a view into a wilder, more untamed setting, then slowly builds on the developing relationship between humans and the Pokémon they share the world with.The world feels alive and shows real growth in every characterthe protagonist encounters along their journey. ThePokémon Masters EXupdate shows what would happen if some characters from the past made their way to the present time.
What’s Next For Pokémon Legends: Arceus?
We May Never See A Full Sequel
The title’s tie-in with thePokémon Masters EXmobile game shows that Game Freak is aware of the game’s place in players' hearts. It’s not likely that there will ever be a direct sequel toPokémon Legends: Arceus,but more entries in theLegendsseries are definitely in the cards. The next title in the series is set to be anotherPokémon Legendsgame, announced earlier this year.Pokémon Legends: Z-Ais set to continue and improve on whatArceusstarted. Fans who want moreArceuscontent can download the mobilePokémonMasters EXgame and revisit familiar characters in a brand-new story.
