Pokemon Sword, Arceus, and Violet are some of my top favorite Pokemon games (and games, in general). The gameplay in Arceus is a lot of fun. Challenging, but that makes it rewarding. I thoroughly enjoy running from Pokemon and running toward them for a fight. Dodging is especially one of my favorite things to do. The frenzied boss fights are awesome. The Alpha Pokemon are really eerie, and sneaking past them is often nerve-racking but exhilarating.
I wish they'd included camping or picnicking in this game, like they did in Sword & Shield and Violet & Scarlet. Also, your rival wasn't as involved with your journey, and I personally prefer human rivals who help you build up your strength as a trainer. Otherwise, I love the music and the storyline. It's definitely more intense than other Pokemon games I've played, but that also gives it a movie-like feel--similar to Sword. The villain is a twist! No spoilers, but the villain is done very well and on the same level of Mayor Rose, menacing-wise. The dialogue in this game is on par with Sword and Shield, and is one of my favorite things about it.
I highly recommend this game--even for those who enjoy their games with a traditional twist to them.