Upon my arrival in Lumiose City in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, my initial thought was, ‘Yes. This definitely looks like a modern Pokémon game.’ The city is filled with bright colors, basic textures, and oddly flat buildings. The lack of depth in the balconies and window shutters, which appear to be pasted onto the buildings like stickers, made my brain do a double-take. Despite this, Lumiose City feels vibrant and alive compared to other locations in the game.
The bustling streets are filled with people and Pokémon, numerous cafes, and an abundance of clothing shops. The real adventure, however, lies high in the sky. Climbing up ladders to traverse the city’s rooftops is a thrilling experience, offering a new navigation element that Pokémon games have been missing. The rooftops provide a fun distraction, allowing players to explore and spot new Pokémon or items on neighboring buildings.
Despite the rooftop escapades, mysterious events are unfolding in Lumiose City. Wild Pokémon are Mega Evolving without trainers, posing a threat to the city’s redevelopment plans. Team MZ is on the case, enlisting the help of young trainers to save the day, a common theme in the Pokémon universe.
The plot of Z-A feels like it could be from a Pokémon movie, offering a refreshing change from the typical Pokémon Champion storyline. The game’s pacing and humor, along with the introduction of a diverse cast of characters, keep the storyline engaging and entertaining. The writing embraces the absurdity of the Pokémon universe, adding a layer of humor that sets Z-A apart from other Pokémon games.
Z-A seamlessly integrates its story with gameplay, keeping players invested in the unfolding events. The game offers a plethora of side missions and Pokémon to catch, with Wild Zones providing unique challenges and encounters. The catch mechanics in Z-A resemble those in Legends: Arceus, emphasizing real-time battles and strategic gameplay.
The introduction of Mega Evolution in Z-A adds a new layer of strategy to battles, especially in encounters with Rogue Mega Evolutions. These battles are fast-paced and intense, offering a refreshing challenge to players. The Z-A Battle Royale further emphasizes the game’s focus on battling, providing a unique and engaging experience for trainers.
While Z-A excels in its battle mechanics and storytelling, it falls short in graphics and performance, a common issue in modern Pokémon games. Despite these flaws, Z-A remains a fun and immersive experience for Pokémon fans to enjoy.
Overall, Z-A showcases Game Freak’s experimentation with the Pokémon franchise, offering a fresh take on familiar elements. The game’s flaws are outweighed by its engaging gameplay and captivating storyline, making it a must-play for Pokémon enthusiasts.
Hopefully, Game Freak will continue to innovate in the Legends series, providing exciting new experiences for players to enjoy.
This review is based on the Switch 2 version of the game, with code provided by Nintendo.
