A fresh and exciting entry for fans that also taps into nostalgia, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a bit chaotic at times but wholly fun.
Pokemon Legends Z-A Review
Building on the framework of 2022's Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Z-A brings the catching and rich environments to a familiar place – Lumiose City. Pokémon X and Y’s Paris-inspired map is full of people and Pokémon, showing for the first time ever in this large of scale, the creatures co-existing with people in ways the games have only hinted at before. Like Arceus, there isn't a need to create a Pokédex and gyms are non-existent as well. But unlike Arceus, Z-A switches things up by nixing exploration in favor of battles, which makes this game feel fresh and exciting for longtime players. The real-time battle system is the biggest evolution in the series' near-perfect gameplay formula. Rather than the turn-based bouts, Z-A opts for something that at first may feel chaotic but is wholly fun.
Five years after the events of X and Y, Lumiose City is suddenly overrun with wild Pokemon. This invasion has caused issues for the humans who live there. To deal with the creatures, Wild Zones are created to keep them separate from residents of the city. Enter you. Before you can begin your vacation plans, Taunie/Urbain shows up to recruit you to join their team of trainers – Team MZ. Their mission is to protect the city by day which is accomplished by nightly battles where they level up. You are gifted one of their Pokémon as your starter and then it's time for you to join that battle known as the Z-A Royale.
Legends: Z-A Gameplay
The Z-A Royale is the centerpiece of Legends: Z-A. It takes the place of the more traditional “gym badges to Elite Four” from past games. In the Royale, you battle other trainers in order to earn a spot in the bigger promotional match. Winning means being promoted to the next rank, with the highest rank being A. Since these battles happen in real time you can try to get the jump on your opponents with a sneak attack. It's extremely entertaining to tip toe around the designated battle zones in order to get the head start in these fights. The controls do take time to learn, but the game’s tutorials guide you through each step and make it manageable.
Moves have cooldown timers to be mindful of as you battle your opponents. You can dodge and dive but your Pokémon will not automatically move out of the way. Therefore, positioning your team is important and knowing if their attacks are long-range or melee is helpful in developing a strategy. Due to the real-time combat, some Pokémon feel less effective because the system favors fast and aggressive play. Outside of the Royale, you are free to explore Luminose City. It's not as large as the free range world of Arceus but there are still plenty of things to discover. Pokémon are all over the place here and it's a blast trying to spot them all.
After 24 hours of gameplay, I’m officially hooked, and here’s why:
- The new real-time battle system makes Pokémon feel fresh and exciting again. You can move freely, time your attacks, and dodge, which gives each encounter a fun sense of energy.
- Shiny hunting is much more rewarding. You can see shiny Pokémon in the wild, and they do not disappear if you walk away. It keeps the thrill without the frustration.
- Lumiose City feels alive and full of personality. The streets are busy, the shops are inviting, and the world finally looks like a real place where people and Pokémon live side by side.
- The upgraded Rotom Phone is helpful and easy to use. It guides you through missions, scans Pokémon, and keeps track of your progress in a clean way that never breaks immersion.
- The game runs smoother than previous titles. Load times are short, and performance feels stable, letting you focus on exploring and battling without lag or slowdown.
- This is a great entry point for both new and returning players. Tutorials are clear and well-paced, making it simple to understand the basics and learn as you go.
- Building your Pokémon team is easy to grasp. The game simplifies stats and abilities so players can focus on catching, battling, and enjoying the world.
- The controls can feel strange at first, but the tutorials do a great job helping you adjust. After a few hours, the gameplay starts to feel natural and comfortable.
Verdict
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a new experience that still holds that warmth of familiarity. The mix of old and new ideas makes this one of the most accessible Pokémon games yet, blending nostalgia with fresh gameplay for all types of players. Returning fans will enjoy small references like callbacks to the Kalos region and Mega Evolutions. It is easy to pick up even if you have not played in years or are brand new to the series. The mission structure makes this ideal for quick play sessions or Saturday marathon gaming. Some may miss the traditional Pokémon journey, as Z-A isn't concerned with gym badges or exploration. Yet the character development and real-time battles (something many have asked for for years) reinvigorate the series. This marks a new era for Pokémon. It's bold to make alterations to a tried and true formula which at times can make Legends: Z-A feel unfinished. But I think it opens the door to more games like it that will help grow and realize the developers' ambitions.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is out now on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The game was reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2.
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