Pokémon Legends: Z-A is quite simply a bunch of fun! The game offers a great experience from relaxing with your Pokémon to the new, and brilliant, battle system… you are sure to have a great time while exploring Lumiose City!

Returning to the world of Pokémon X and Y after all these years has been a really invigorating experience. I say this, because personally, I really enjoyed Generations 1 – 5 of Pokémon, with Generation 4 (Diamond, Pearl and Platinum) being my favourite. By the time, Generation 6 (Pokémon X and Y) came around, I started to feel like Pokémon was losing its spark. While I still enjoyed it, it felt like it was missing something. Thankfully, Z-A brings that ‘something’ back while also, finally, giving us some much needed ‘new-ness’ to the franchise.

Gastly graphics, Gogoat-ed

The game runs great on the Nintendo Switch 2 and acceptably on the original Switch and Switch OLED models. As much as I think this is a step in the right direction in terms of quality, the Pokémon Company still has room for improvement in terms of graphics, content and presentation as Pokémon Legends: Z-A is still not up to snuff with the current gaming market let alone current Nintendo quality. Happily, this is where the fun, amazing music and compositions and other aspects of the game carry the overall experience. And chief among these these aspects is the returning… Mega Evolution.

The new and returning Megas are amazing and they work hand in hand with, not only the story, but the new gameplay style!

The best thing about the original Pokémon X and Y was Mega Evolution and this comes back in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The new and returning Megas are amazing and they work hand in hand with, not only the story, but the new gameplay style. Thanks to Mable’s Research, there is a great incentive to keep catching Pokémon and exploring, whether it be the Wild Zones or the City itself. Completing Mable’s Research nets you the Shiney charm. This is quite a monumental task though as it requires more than just completing your Pokédex. In fact, this is also how you retrieve TMs, meaning if you want a specific TM, you must earn it. Some TMs are scattered around the world and help you kit out your Pokémon for battle.While collecting is still important, unlike Pokémon Legends: Arceus, catching Pokémon is not as big of a focus, here the focus is on battling.

Bigger, Better, Blastoise Battle System

The Battle System in is a real time battle system where you hold down the left trigger and use the ABXY buttons for your Pokémon’s moves while you move around the world (very similar to Pokémon Legends: Arceus). This adds a new level of gameplay and variety to each battle, as certain Pokémon moves (such as ‘Dig’) actually involve interacting with the environment. This system creates a great difficulty balance – forcing you to think on your feet as the player can also be knocked out during a battle. The ‘dive-and-roll’ also returns from Pokémon Legends: Arceus, allowing you the opportunity to dodge attacks from Pokémon. This, along with the Mega Evolution, creates a fun and engaging gameplay loop where you are constantly trying out new ways to win Pokémon Battles.

The Z-A royal Challengers are unique and along with the updated battle system add an exciting bit of flavour to the story and likable cast of characters.

The Pokémon Battles extend past the usual ‘battling trainers and gym leaders’ and more into the new gameplay element of Battle Zones. There is a Day-Night cycle, and at night a section of the map will be designated a Battle Zone where you compete in the Z-A Royal to become the highest rank (moving from Z to A). The Battle Zones add a change of pace from the story and normal Pokémon hunting in the daytime. In these zones you must battle trainers, collect medals and cards to help boost your score and get a challenger ticket. This challenger ticket then allows you play ranked Promotion Matches. Defeating different ranked characters in the Z-A Royal is what helps you rank higher, get more rewards, catch Pokémon easier and progress the story. They also act as this games version of Gym Leaders as there are no traditional Gyms. The Z-A royal Challengers are unique and add an exciting bit of flavour to the story and likable cast of characters.

Cleffa Cast

Despite a long list of mememorable people to meet, my stand out characters include Mable, AZ, Emma and my favourite Z-A Royal Challenger, Canari. Mable was a bit forgettable in Pokémon X and Y but here she is brimming with personality, from her snarky remarks to the interesting research she asks you to conduct, to all the story implications and redesign, she really has become a standout in my eyes. AZ is the owner of Hotel Z and without spoiling anything is one of the most interesting Pokémon characters presented in a long time. Being as ancient and wise as he is, you never truly know what he is thinking and planning. His story has gripped me throughout my playthrough.

The Battle Zones add a change of pace from the story and normal Pokémon hunting in the daytime.

Emma is the detective of the City of Lumiose. From where she began in Pokémon X and Y, her story is a little heart-wrenching and truly inspiring. She has one of the best designs in the whole game and a quirky personality to boot. Her function in the game and story is entertaining to watch unfold. Canari, is a girl who likes to stream video games while her grandfather supports her by doing construction around the city (and doing a V-Tuber like impression of her for events because all Canari wants to do is chill indoors and play games). Interestingly, the city and even that scaffolding are also important to the gameplay loop…

Staryu, Starmie, Storied City

There is a bunch of scaffolding around the city of Lumiose put there by Racine Construction, due to the Lumiose City redevelopment project. This adds some great opportunity for puzzles and climbing to high places as you can get atop the roofs of the building and traverse the world and find Pokémon this way. There are also secrets around every corner such, as Colorful Screws which once collected, can be traded for a Canari plush which can boost your chance to catch Pokémon, give you more mega shards, give you longer before you black out so you can get more experience or money after a battle.The narrative surrounding all of this is a simple yet effective story with many moving parts. It doesn’t quite reach the highs and quality of Pokémon Legends: Arceus however it is still stronger than what we have been getting in mainline Pokémon games as of late.

Without spoiling too much, the game has you solving a bunch of mysterious around instances of rogue Mega Evolutions.

Without spoiling too much, the game has you solving a bunch of mysterious around instances of rogue Mega Evolutions. You get roped in with a team of characters called Team MZ, with your home base being the Z Hotel. From here, wacky hijinks ensue with Zygard showing up, Lysandre making his return from Pokemon X and Y, and you doing tasks to help improve Lumiose City with Emma, or helping AZ and Quasartico Inc with the Mega Evolution problem. With all of this going on, the adventure is full throttle and always keeping you on your toes. The map will constantly evolve with each story beat, creating new Wild Areas to catch Pokémon and help with Mables’s research. The Wild Areas are a great form of progression and completion as you can earn a crown for each completed Wild Area once you have caught one of each Pokémon found within. Some Pokémon, however, do not spawn in Wild Areas and need to be found in Lumiose City itself.

Onyx Online, Price Krok-orok

The online aspect of the game is quite fun. I have mainly been playing the main story, but the little I have played online has served me a great deal of enjoyment with only a little criticism. The only real negative is that you must reach a certain rank to get Greninjite.This can prove very time consuming – especially for younger players or those looking for a more casual experience. You also need a Nintendo Switch Online Subscription to play and get these items.I am also very much looking forward to the DLC, however I do think the price of R629.00 is a bit steep, especially if you are playing the Nintendo Switch 2 Version. Also, announcing the DLC before the game came out was not the smartest of moves in my humble opinion.

Announcing the DLC before the game came out was not the smartest of moves in my humble opinion.

Overall, I am having a blast with Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The game is fun and engaging and well worth your time. The combat, shiny hunting and city have made a great impression on me, and I cannot wait to see what is next for the Pokémon franchise. I therefore give it an 8 out of 10, the same as Pokémon Legends: Arceus, but for different reasons. I hope you all as much have fun catching and battling with your Pokémon in Lumiose City as I am having…

REVIEW CODE PROVIDED BY: NINTENDO

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Reviewer Ryan Manfred Gallus Details:

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