So I bit the bullet this past weekend and splurged on Pokemon Legends: Arceus for my Nintendo Switch. I have been playing Pokemon games consistently since Blue. Heck, I even still play Pokemon Go on a daily basis. So it would make sense that I would want to try out the first truly open open world Pokemon game. I love sandbox games; they’re probably my favorite type of video game. So a Pokemon sandbox? I’m in!

I don’t know if I’ll get around to doing a proper review of Pokemon Legends: Arceus. I think my pros and cons are exactly the same as everybody else on the internet. I’m enjoying the catching and general gameplay mechanic, but this game is a far far cry from the types of games/open worlds that we know and love. Both Mario Odyssey and Zelda: Breath of the Wild came out on the Switch at launch. And this is the best Pokemon can offer in response? For shame. So I figured I would spend some time laying out exactly what I would actulaly want to see in a proper Pokemon open world game. Clearly such a thing is possible. Make it happen.

Join me after the jump for six things I want to see in a real, well-made, open world Pokemon game.