Pokémon Legends: Z-A(2025) was one of my most anticipated titles since it was first announced. I got my start with the mainline games withPokémon Y for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013. I have played most of their titles afterwards, but none really stuck to me as much asY did when I was a kid. The most I enjoyed a mainline title since then wasPokémon Legends: Arceusfor the Nintendo Switch, with its open-world gameplay of catching and battling Pokémon. It was fun filling out the Poke Dex in that title. Outside of that, I mostly finished the mainline titles before shelving them, withPokémon Scarlet not hooking me in and becoming a dropped title.
I was open to whatZ-A had to offer, since it is aLegends title and it was returning to the region where I got my start. I was surprised by the game being contained within Lumoise City, the most prominent location in the region, and a few familiar faces fromPokémon X and Y. The battle change inZ-A compared to the mainline was also surprising, going from a turn-based battle to real-time battle, with moves needing to cool down to use again. For me, the closest title I played that was similar toZ-A’s gameplay was theXenoblade Chronicles series. Although,Z-A seemed like a lesser take on it, compared to that series.
Z-A was the most enjoyable Pokémon title sinceArceus, with its new battle system, exploration of the city, and how the player goes about catching Pokémon and battling trainers at night. I was hooked on the gameplay and its looming story in the background, leading toward the endgame.Z-A takes place 5 years after the events ofX and Y, with Lumiose City becoming a place for people and Pokémon to coexist. Wild Areas within the city being habitats for Pokémon.
The Wild Areas, as stated, are areas containing wild Pokémon. Entering one will allow you to go through the location, with some Pokémon remaining passive, some running away, and others that are hostile when you are in the vicinity. Elements fromArceus return, such as showing possible catch rate with different Poke Balls, and when you try to catch them. You can also aim at their backs, while unnoticed, to increase your odds.
The battle system inZ-A is different from the rest of the mainline series. Instead of being turn-based, it is real-time. Moves are not limited by Power Points, but now have a recharge time when you are able to use them again. Your partner does have to position themselves to use their moves before attacking. Mega Evolution has also changed, with a gauge needing to be filled before being able to Mega Evolve your partners. Using moves fills up the gauge with Mega Power. There is a time limit to how long your partner remains Mega Evolved.
It was a while before I learned all the changes and learned how to properly command my Pokémon, but it did make for a more engaging battle than the traditional system. Once I get set, it becomes good to use positioning as a way to guide my Pokémon to avoid attacks, chip damage my opponents, and use Mega Evolution to sweep opponents. Not to mention, you are now able to Mega Evolve more than once in battle, compared to the Gen 6 & Gen 7 titles. Timing when you Mega Evolve your Pokémon and how you use their time can determine the outcome of battles.
InZ-A, battles will mostly take place at night, during the Z-A Royale. A battle royale where trainers battle in battle zones at night across the city, acquiring points from wins and challenges to get a promotion ticket to get a promotion match. Winning the promotion match against their opponent will increase their rank. They are fun for trying to get the most wins and medals as possible to get a lot of coins once the sun rises. From the challenges you can get, it does make you think about which Pokémon to use, how you approach your opponents to attack first, and try to keep your Pokémon healthy as long as possible. It did have me engage with the battles and try my best to get an advantage against my opponents, to move on to the next battle as fast as possible. With no penalty for leaving the zone to go to a Pokémon Center for a party restoration and return, it was little to no hassle doing them. It even became a good way to grind experience and money, especially in the post-game.
Another new addition is Rogue Mega Evolution Battles. In the story, you fight against Mega Evolved Wild Pokémon, so they do not attack the city. You fight them in small arenas with your team, and try to faint them with your own Mega Evolutions. These battles were different, more akin to fighting Wardens inLegends: Arceus, with the Rogues having unique attacks and far greater HP. Some of their attack patterns are frustrating at times, but it is a great way to introduce some of the new Mega Evolutions, as well as the returning ones.
Outside of battles, Lumiose City is the biggest city in the mainline games. It takes a while before you can explore everything at your leisure. Lumiose City is split across five districts, not counting the central plaza. There are restaurants, shopping centers, and other locations to visit. There is also scaffolding from Racine Construction, adding some parkour to the city. From them, you will collect random items and Colorful Screws. They are also a way of accessing the roofs of buildings. On the roofs, there is also a bit to explore and Pokémon to find.
Revisiting Lumiose City, a lot has changed fromX and Y, with elevations, wider streets, less alleyways. But I still like exploring Lumiose. While it is not impressive looking, it is nostalgic going through the streets again and finding familiar locations. Not to mention, the Wild Areas do add some variety, with Area 12 being a snowy area, for example. Seeing the Research Lab and Lumiose Museum was also great in HD. Not to mention, the Looker Bureau, Emma’s office. It brought back memories from my first time in the city. Across Lumiose, you’ll hear what people have to say and interact with requests of theirs. I have enjoyed a decent amount of these small events from the side missions and seeing what the people are up to.
In this revisit of Lumiose, you also encounter many new faces, from Team MZ, Quasartico Inc., and many trainers from fighting in the Z-A Royale. I enjoy interacting with most of them, via story or in and out of battle. With many of them being how we are introduced to half of the new Megas. There are many great characters in this game (shoutout to Corbeau).
While most of the cast is new, there are some old faces. Most notably, AZ, Emma, and Mable. I did get to know them throughY several years back, with only AZ and Emma having their own stories in that game. I am glad to see them both doing well after their own hardships inX and Y, with AZ running Hotel Z and Emma being Lumiose’s Detective, continuing the job of the man who gave her her current life. As for Mable, it is nice seeing more of her outside of Team Flare fromX and Y, since she and the other scientists did not have much. Overall, I enjoyed this new cast, with a few returning faces though I do wish we saw more returning faces outside of references to them.
Z-A is a good title despite some flaws with appearance. It is arguably Game Freak’s best-looking game in the Switch generation, but that is not a high bar. I did try the game for a while on my OLED after playing it on the Switch 2, and it is noticeable where the performance and visual improvements were. Moving the camera and the cursor on the map was a little choppy, and the animations and models were not as smooth as with the Switch 2 Edition. It still ran well enough, but going from smooth visuals and camera to choppy movements was noticeable. However, I would still say it is a good game despite the visuals. As a brief return to Lumiose City and having a focus on Zygarde, it was a proper fit for the missing ‘Pokémon Z.’
