The Pokemon series has always been chock-full of new and interesting surprises over the years. If you've been a Pokemon trainer since the first games hit the original Game Boy, you've been privy to a fascinating evolution of the series, from the Pokemon we've seen to the way we interact with them. After two fantastic remakes of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl for the Nintendo Switch, we're now being treated to one of the most unique takes on the Pokemon series yet: Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

This open-world adventure is set to turn Pokemon on its head with a unique storyline, intriguing mechanics, and even some new Pokemon to capture. It's getting ready to make its long-awaited debut, and we're champing at the bit to get our hands on it as we travel to the Hisui region. Here are some of the most exciting things we're looking forward to seeing and trying out in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

Exciting new Pokemon interactions

The world of Pokemon hasn't really seemed like a dangerous one in the past. Most of the NPCs in the Pokemon games seem cool with the occasionally terrifying beasts. But in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, the Pokemon can actually pose a danger to you. As this is a game that transports you to the Pokemon regions of the past, the people's relationship with Pokemon are not what they are in the more modern games. The wild Pokemon you encounter can and will pose a threat. They can chase after you, use attacks to subdue you, and even knock you out. Your Pokemon can't save you if they aren't out at the time, and you're subject to taking damage. That adds a new and exciting dynamic to the Pokemon games we haven't seen before, and even a bit of a scary one. Some of those monsters are pretty terrifying, after all. They can even steal your soul. Super weird.

Brand new Hisuian Pokemon

The Hisuian region will bring plenty of cool things with it, including new Pokemon. There's a lengthy list of monsters that will be included in the game, both from the original Pokedex and from monsters in the Sinnoh region. But there will also be new faces that you won't recognize. In addition, there will be special Hisuian evolutions of familiar Pokemon, much like we saw with previous Pokemon games. You may think you know all of the Pokemon in the extended game universe, but you'll have to get to know all of the new monsters as well if you want to be a true Pokemon master. And as you explore the new region, you'll have to enlist their help if you want to make progress, too.

Battles will introduce new mechanics

You'll be able to enter a battle with Pokemon by engaging with them on the world map. You won't need to wait for the map to dissolve into a battle screen. You can do the same with capturing Pokemon. Simply throw a Poke Ball and try to capture the monster of your choice while on the map. It's a much different departure than what you might be used to, and that's exciting for several reasons. You'll be able to shift between different move styles within battle as well. Different styles afford you varying boons in battle, so it'll be up to you to figure out which one works best. It's a whole new ballgame in Hisui, and that's going to be part of the fun: figuring out how best to proceed when battling other Pokemon and any trainers you may face.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set to debut as a Nintendo Switch exclusive on January 28, 2022.