A Return to Kalos We Didn’t Know We Needed
For years, Pokémon fans who grew up with the series have been hoping for a game that ages with them. While the mainline games will always cater to a new generation of players, the Legends series has become a space for Game Freak to experiment and reward its long-time audience. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the latest and, according to early reviews, the greatest example of this. It’s being called a true love letter to fans of Pokémon X & Y, but it’s so much more than just a trip down memory lane. It’s a bold reimagining of what a Pokémon game can be.
The entire game takes place within a single, sprawling location: Lumiose City. But this isn’t just the city we remember from the Nintendo 3DS. It’s a vibrant, living world where Pokémon roam freely, coexisting with the human residents in a way that finally captures the feeling of the beloved anime series. The story is more mature, the writing is sharp and genuinely funny, and it’s packed with clever nods to fan theories and community jokes that show the developers are paying attention.
Battles Are No Longer Just a Numbers Game
The single biggest shake-up in Legends Z-A is the complete overhaul of the battle system. Game Freak has moved away from the traditional turn-based formula and embraced fully real-time combat. Now, both your trainer and your Pokémon move around the battlefield independently. Moves are fired off with button presses, and they have different animation times and cooldowns. It’s a massive change that turns every battle into a fast-paced, action-packed encounter.
Positioning is now a critical part of your strategy. Some moves will only hit if you’re close enough, while others, like Dig, let your Pokémon disappear and reappear elsewhere to surprise an opponent. This new system feels dynamic and exciting, especially in the tougher fights. It’s less like a math problem and more like a true action game, where the speed of your attacks can make all the difference.
Introducing the Z-A Royale and Rogue Megas
To complement the new battle system, the game introduces the Z-A Royale. When night falls in Lumiose City, trainers take to the streets to battle. By defeating other trainers, you earn points and increase your rank from Z all the way to A. This mode is a brilliant way to test your skills and earn currency to buy expensive but powerful Mega Evolution stones, which make a triumphant return in this game.
The most challenging encounters are the Rogue Mega Evolution battles. These are pseudo-raid battles where you face off against a supersized, powerful Mega Evolved Pokémon. These wild Pokémon don’t just attack your Pokémon-they attack your trainer too. You’ll have to dodge attacks, manage your healing items, and stay aware of your surroundings, making for some of the most intense and rewarding battles in the series’ history.
A Few Bumps in the Road
As great as the game is, it’s not perfect. While it runs at a smooth 60fps on the Nintendo Switch 2, it’s clear the game was developed with the original Switch’s limitations in mind. Some of the textures in Lumiose City can look flat or repetitive, which holds it back from being a true next-gen showcase. Also, while many quality-of-life improvements have been made, the game disappointingly requires you to trade with other players to evolve certain Pokémon and complete your Pokédex, a feature that its predecessor, Legends: Arceus, had found a way around.
Conclusion
Pokémon Legends Z-A feels like a pivotal moment for the series. It successfully balances reverence for its past with bold, exciting new ideas that push the franchise forward. The real-time combat, the immersive single-city setting, and the more mature tone are all huge wins that pay off beautifully. Despite a few technical shortcomings, this is being hailed as one of the best Pokémon games in years, proving that the Legends series is where Game Freak’s most interesting and rewarding ideas come to life.
FAQs
What is Pokémon Legends: Z-A?
It’s the second game in the Pokémon Legends series, a spin-off that experiments with new gameplay mechanics. It is set in Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y and features a new real-time battle system.
Is the battle system turn-based?
No, the game has a completely new real-time combat system where trainers and Pokémon move and attack freely, a major departure from the traditional turn-based system.
Do I need to have played Pokémon X & Y to understand it?
Not at all. While the game is a love letter to fans of X & Y with lots of references, it tells its own standalone story and is welcoming to newcomers.
What is the Z-A Royale?
It is a new battle mode where trainers compete at night in Lumiose City to increase their rank. It’s a key way to earn currency for items like Mega Stones.
Does the game have Mega Evolutions?
Yes, Mega Evolution makes a return in Pokémon Legends Z-A and plays a significant role in the story and high-level battles.
Are there any performance issues?
Reviewers have noted that while the game runs smoothly, its graphics are sometimes held back by being developed for the original Nintendo Switch, with some low-detail textures in the environment.