Pokémon Legends ZA — A Bold New Chapter in the Pokémon Series
A Fresh Take on a Beloved Formula
Pokémon Legends ZA is the latest entry in the iconic Pokémon franchise, but the big question remains: does it hold up against the beloved titles that came before it?
The Pokémon Franchise is no stranger to trying out new things, games like Pokémon Black & White, Sun & Moon and Legends: Arceus, have all tried changing up the formula in their own way but none have quite done it like Pokémon Legends ZA.
Set once again in the France-inspired Kalos region from Pokémon X & Y, this game gives players a much-needed return to the bustling and radiant Lumiose City — a stunning metropolis filled with collectibles, Pokémon, and side quests. Each activity drawing you deeper into the city’s culture, its inhabitants, and what it truly means to live side by side with Pokémon.
Story & Characters: A Rough Start, But Worth It
The story begins with you, a tourist visiting Lumiose City for unknown reasons, whose vacation quickly takes an unexpected turn. You’re soon introduced to a bunch of colorful characters who may come off as annoying or overly simple at first , but develop a surprising depth as the story unfolds.
Your companions — Naveen, Lida, Urbain, or Taunie (if you picked the male character) unfortunately don’t make the best first impression, their constant interruptions during the hour-long tutorial, telling you where you can and can’t go. Every second out of a cutscene where you would think yourself able to explore this wonderous city is brutally shut down by whoever is guiding your way at the moment, making the game’s opening feel restrictive and frustrating. But once that tutorial ends, the adventure truly begins. From there, Pokémon Legends ZA. delivers an engaging, action-packed story filled with returning faces from Pokémon X & Y, and Legends: Arceus. These cameos add delightful layers of nostalgia for longtime fans, while keeping the narrative fresh for newcomers.
Lumiose City & Its Challenges
Exploring the city of Lumiose never feels dull despite the flat lathered textures of the buildings. Every street and alley offers something to do, whether it’s sending out your Pokémon to gather currency, discovering hidden items, accepting new side quests, or catching Pokémon. This makes for a truly addictive & rewarding experience. As you progress,“Wild Zones” appear throughout the game, park-like areas brimming with Pokémon to encounter and capture. While more environmental variety would have been welcome, these zones are the perfect place to experience the game’s biggest innovation: real-time battles. Gone are the turn-based mechanics of classic JRPGs like Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy. Instead, Pokémon Legends ZA introduces fast-paced, action-oriented combat where timing and strategy matter. Each Pokémon can still learn four moves, but success depends on precision and patience rather than button mashing. And for those craving tougher battles, the return of Mega Evolution is a major highlight. Scattered throughout the city are Rogue Mega Pokémon — powerful opponents that challenge you in Raid-style, Dark Souls-inspired boss battles. These encounters range from manageable to brutally difficult, demanding skill and timing from even the most experienced trainers.
The ZA Battle Royale
When night falls, Lumiose City transforms. The streets become arenas for the ZA Battle Royale, a thrilling competitive mode that’s nothing like other Battle Royale games such as Fortnite or Call of Duty Warzone. Participating trainers begin at Rank Z and climb their way up to Rank A through nightly challenges and promotion matches. Striking first in battle feels immensely satisfying, rewarding aggressive but calculated play. When the player successfully defeats the trainers and the side-objectives given to you, they are also rewarded with a ton of money, we have had a ton of fun competing with friends for the highest score! Sadly the game doesn't fully commit to this nightly-gameplay loop, skipping many of the rank tiers for story related purposes — a disappointment for players who fell in love with the Royale system. Thankfully, after completing the story, players can access an Infinite ZA Royale mode, offering repeatable challenges and valuable rewards that make it worth revisiting.
Presentation & Soundtrack
While the game’s difficulty might frustrate some players — being too easy for veterans and too tough for newcomers — Pokémon Legends ZA more than redeems itself with its storytelling and presentation. The remixed soundtrack, featuring reimagined versions of Pokémon X & Y,’s most iconic themes, is nothing short of breathtaking. Every note adds emotional weight to the game’s most pivotal moments, amplifying the impact of its gameplay & narrative.
Final Verdict
Although pricey for today's standards- with its underdeveloped features, the game within it's flaws hides a beautiful experience that shakes things up from the regular Pokémon experience. Its bold approach to combat, engaging characters, and heartfelt storytelling make it a worthy continuation of the Pokémon legacy.
Ultimately, the game reminds us what it means to coexist with nature while questioning the limits of humanity’s role within it.
⭐ Final Score: 8/10 — A stunning and heartfelt evolution of the Pokémon formula on Nintendo Switch & Nintendo Switch 2.
