Pokémon games have been on quite the journey since 1996. Over nearly three decades, the long-running Japanese series has evolved in many ways, yet its heart has remained intact. Catch critters, build a team, and make new pals along the way!
Since leaping into 3D, the Pokémon Company have branched out at times, exploring new takes on the tried-and-tested formula. From Pokémon Colosseum on the GameCube to the more recent Pokémon Legends: Arceus on the Nintendo Switch, there have been attempts at freshening up the formula. The Legends series has allowed developer Game Freak to be a bit more experimental, without being tethered to the expectations of a new era.
As the series approaches its tenth generation, a new Legends chapter has emerged: Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With an overhauled battle system, could this adventure be what’s needed to re-invigorate the franchise?
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the second entry in the Legends line, allowing Game Freak to tinker with the core structure of what makes a Pokémon game. Instead of waking up at home and being ushered by mother to start a Pokémon adventure, players instead disembark a train at the bustling Lumiose City. Of course, you still get to choose from one of three starters – Chikorita, Totodile or Tepig, but the initial story beats are certainly refreshing compared to the usual pacing.
Players quickly end up recruited into the game’s over-arching mystery: “Rogue Mega Evolution”. Some usually peaceful critters get ever-so-slightly rattled and start to wreak havoc in the city, borrowing a page from Detective Pikachu Returns. Can Lumiose City’s redevelopment, with plans to create a shared Pokémon and human living space, thrive?
Even though this new adventure sees trainers stepping back into the Kalos region from Pokémon X and Y, there’s a distinctively modern yet familiar feel about the world 12 years on. Pokémon has historically been a little lacking when it came to exploring the locale, with towns acting as rest spots and barriers to gate the next area. Here the focus is very much on the city itself, with the story unfolding throughout this single space.
Because of this, Game Freak have fleshed out the world, inviting players to wander side streets or try a spot of Poké-parkour. For the most part it works. Lumiose City is decorated with lore, little details and nods to the series history. It’s fun. At the same time, Pokémon Legends: Z-A doesn’t push the visual envelope too much, though – it can skirt on repetitive and is bland in places.
Whilst Pokémon Legends: Z-A may have not evolved in some respects, there are significant changes to the mechanics to shake things up. The most notable are the battles, and, be warned – it’s something not every series veteran will enjoy. Arceus introduced more movement and dynamism during battles – the flexibility made things feel a little less static. Z-A pushes the boundaries further with moves no longer turn-based.
That’s right, turn-based battles are out.
Historically, most Pokémon games have relied on carefully planning out the next move, waiting for the opponent to return fire. But this time round Pokémon moves into the world of real-time combat. Think Xenoblade Chronicles with a sprinkling of Pokémon Unite in flow and pacing. Each critter on the team still has four moves at their disposal, but the big change is that moves are bound to cooldown timers.
After a few rounds, it’s instantly apparent just how different the ebbs and flow of a fight are this time round. Status modifier moves like Growl and Harden come in handy, slot between regular attacks. It truly does flip the strategy on its head given how fast battles now are. It may be worth using a relatively weaker move that refreshes faster instead of relying on the age-old Hyper Beam, Thunder and Earthquake.
Battles are over in the blink of an eye. Less Poké-plodding and more Poké-action, if that’s your jam. Yes, Pokémon games have always been built upon critters going toe to toe, but it truly is embedded into the game’s root and language. It does take some adjustment, especially for those of you who are versed in turn-based mechanics. Once the cooldown idea clicks, alongside being able to throw in multiple moves in succession – it makes for a surprisingly enjoyable way of traversing through the ranks and key story/plot progressing battles.
The change extends to wild battles, too. These are far quicker compared to traditional Pokémon titles. It’s straight in, throw a move or two, find a quick spot to hide and in for the finisher. It builds on and is a natural extension of the mechanics in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, seamlessly blending into the world. Grinding, shiny and Alpha Pokémon hunting are that bit more fun!
It would be interesting to see if Game Freak have enough Pokéballs to commit to real time battles in upcoming mainline releases, or if the team will revert to the turn-based approach. Ultimately, this shake-up in battles is the core draw to Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Take it or leave it.
Of course, battles aren’t super-effective without a roster of Pokémon at your disposal and Pokémon Legends: Z-A features a solid mix across the different generations. It may not be the entire list (just 230 critters at launch), but there is a good variety of creatures to encounter in designated “Wild Zone” areas. These are gated, blocked off segments within the city to catch and complete the Pokédex.
Series veterans will feel right at home with favourites from Generations I and II making a return – from Pidgey to Magikarp, Ghastly to Espeon and Umbreon. Even Ekans slithers into view at times. The selection dips into more recent Pokémon games, too, but ultimately Lumiose City checks off the fan-service with ease.
The Pokémon do feel very much alive and thriving in this setting, trying to fully integrate within the cityscape surroundings. The Wild Zones in particular feel more akin to past open areas like Pokémon Legends: Arceus or fellow generation IX games. It’s certainly refreshing being able to explore these sections of Lumiose City amid a very battle-heavy story.
Where the game’s execution does fall flat, however, are how NPCs have been implemented. These characters are relegated to simply standing about in standard Pokémon fare. Glazing with blankly into the distance, waiting for something to happen. Whilst it isn’t a detriment to gameplay, it makes the world feel slightly disjointed. In some ways it is a step back from Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet.
It is a shame that Game Freak didn’t push NPC personality further this time round. In tried and tested Pokémon tradition, characters aren’t voiced – left to the same beeps of 1996. There is an underlying, intriguing story that draws players into this world, cutscenes with core characters that tease and pry at what awaits the new Lumiose visitor. At the very least, these could have included voice acting to deepen the immersion.
Amongst all the battling, there are also a bunch of side-missions that open up the Lumiose lore to take a bit of a break from battling. There’s a lot less pressure here. After the initial, linear onboarding section, it’s an opportunity to have a bit of a wander, relax a little and soak up the sights before bidding Pokémon Legends: Z-A adieu.
The game was reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, but also tested on the original Nintendo Switch. The upgraded console does let Lumiose City shine to its full potential, with the game running at 60fps compared to the choppier 30fps. Textures are crisper, there’s better draw distance and the experience feels far smoother on Nintendo Switch 2. That said, playing Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the older Switch is still a viable option, with save transfer possible, though it does feel like walking through treacle at times!
