Some games are well and truly over once the credits have ceased rolling. You can try again for more Chaos Emeralds and a higher score, but Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has nothing more to say to you after you've thwarted Robotnik's plans. And then there's Dragon Quest 11, with postgame content so long, and so thoroughly enmeshed within preceding story beats, that many fans have chosen the term "Act 3" for it instead.
Pokemon Legends: Arceusisn't quite on that level. But then, very few games are. It does, however, feature a robust enough postgame to keep you occupied for hours — possibly much, much longer. It even saves some of its most important plot points for this last stretch; players who pack the game away immediately after beating it may be left with the lingering sense that some things haven't been resolved.
5/5 Getting Started with Postgame Content
It's been a tradition of Pokemon's since the beginning for the player character to wake up in their room after the credits roll, usually with some plug for what to do next. A gentle yet firm reminder that your adventure only ends when you stop booting up the game for good. In Pokemon Legends: Arceus' case, your Arc Phone beeps, and the message "Seek out all Pokemon" pops up. Fair enough.
Have another chat with Professor Laventon, and you'll find that he's eager to assist. He still looks like a goof, bless his heart, but he means well — Laventon awards you with the other two Hisuian starters for all your hard work.
This is also when having saved game data from Pokemon Sword & Shield and Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl can come in handy. The former unlocks a request called 'A Token of Gratitude' while the latter opens up 'The Darksome Nightmare', both of which you can read about in greater detail here.
4/5 Noble Rematches and Many More Requests
If you haven't had your fill of Noble Pokemon fights, we have excellent news for you. Return to their arenas for rematches with fresh new rewards. While you're in the neighborhood, be sure to take up the Pokemon Wardens' offers for new trainer battles.
They're a bit tough, but then, Pokemon Legends: Arceus hasn't shied away from that in the past. By this point, you should have a strong enough party to take them down without breaking too much of a sweat.
Several further requests will be posted to the Galaxy Board around this time. Two to watch out for: 'The Diamond Clan's Treasure' and 'The Pearl Clan's Treasure'. Adaman awaits your arrival north of the Diamond Clan's camp in the Crimson Mirelands. Prepare for a three-on-one fight against Vaporeon, Umbreaon, and Leafeon. Victory nets you the Adaman Crystal, which can change Dialga's form.
Irida is in the Alabasater Icelands and packs Flareon, Espeon, and Glaceon. She hands over the Lustrous Orb after her defeat. This does for Palkia what the Adaman Crystal does for Dialga.
3/5 Continue the Main Story
Of the 27 main missions in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, only 17 occur prior to the game insisting you've beaten it. That leaves a goodly amount of story to play out afterward. 'A New Day Dawns' is the first and surely the shortest — leave your house and speak with Captain Cyllene. Done.
From there, 'The Researcher of Myths' appears; this is the start of a string of missions that will lead you to quite a few legendary Pokemon to battle and capture, culminating in a couple of absolutely epic encounters that have a stronger air of conclusiveness to them. In essence, you're unlocking the real ending.
2/5 Wisps, Unowns, Star Ranks, and More
This section contains goals that can technically be taken care of prior to beating the game, but many players will be left with at least a few more of each. Gathering Wisps is a time sink even with our guide, but it's a worthy one, not to mention a necessary one if you wish to finish up the postgame story.
Elevating your Star Rank to 10 means powering through Research Tasks. This is the lovely thing about Pokemon Legends: Arceus' gameplay loop; the game feeds into itself, prompting players to accomplish multiple things at once. That maxed-out Star Rank gives you a nice edge on mastering your Pokedex.
1/5 Master Your Pokedex
By the time you've unlocked the real ending, your Pokedex will have been filled with practically every Pokemon in Hisui. Your Research Task progression will be excellent as well.
But why stop there? Professor Laventon entrusted you with this project for a reason. Completing the entire thing will take real grit, but if anyone can do it, it's the kid who fell from the sky.
