Pokémon Legends ZA has finally arrived, and it’s already sparking discussions among fans about the future of the series. Building on the foundation laid by Pokémon Legends: Arceus, this new installment takes the franchise in a fresh direction—both geographically and conceptually. Set in Lumiose City, the iconic metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, Legends ZA brings a more modern and competitive flavor to the Legends subseries, while also reintroducing classic elements like Mega Evolution.
As someone who’s spent several hours exploring Lumiose and its new “Wild Zones,” I can confidently say that Legends ZA offers a mix of impressive evolution and a few growing pains.
A Modern Setting with a New Approach to Exploration
One of the biggest surprises is the shift in setting. Unlike Arceus, which was set in the ancient Hisui region, Pokémon Legends ZA unfolds in a bustling urban environment. Lumiose City feels alive with its open plazas, interconnected districts, and distinct NPC interactions. The city’s design allows for freer movement and exploration, though it doesn’t have the same expansive wild feel that Hisui had.
Instead, the game divides exploration into smaller, more focused “Wild Zones.” These contained areas function as mini-habitats for wild Pokémon encounters, complete with environmental mechanics that encourage team variety. Certain zones require Pokémon abilities like Water Gun to clear obstacles, adding a touch of puzzle-solving to traversal.
While the main city map is relatively compact, Lumiose is packed with side quests that reward players with valuable items or even Pokémon themselves. This loop of exploration, collection, and reward helps maintain a steady gameplay rhythm. Players looking to strengthen their teams quickly might also find it worthwhile to buy pokemon for legends za or even buy shiny pokemon za to gain a head start on rare collections.
Wild Zones and Combat Structure
Each Wild Zone is a small self-contained battlefield where players can encounter aggressive Pokémon. These zones feel more dynamic than traditional routes, offering a balance between exploration and structured challenge. Some Pokémon are rare or appear under special conditions, encouraging players to revisit areas as they progress.
Combat itself leans more into action-oriented mechanics. The trainer’s movements, positioning, and item usage play a larger role than before. Switching Pokémon or moves is seamless—just a few quick menu selections. This fluidity keeps battles engaging and reduces the downtime that often plagued previous entries.
The Mables Research system also adds depth. Completing Pokédex entries now contributes to your research level, unlocking valuable items like TMs, XP Candies, and even the coveted Shiny Charm. This progression system provides tangible motivation to keep catching and studying Pokémon beyond the story’s main objectives.
The ZA System and Ranked Battles
The real innovation behind Pokémon Legends ZA lies in its new nighttime battle feature. When the sun sets over Lumiose, the city transforms into a competitive arena marked by glowing red “battle zones.” Within these zones, players face off against other trainers in ranked battles that determine their standing from Rank Z to Rank A.
This ranking system rewards performance with points and in-game currency, and occasionally throws in modifiers that challenge players to fight under specific conditions—such as defeating an opponent without using super-effective moves. It’s a creative take that blends single-player progression with the thrill of ranked competition.
However, climbing from Z to A can feel a bit grindy, especially since promotions require special “ranking matches.” That said, the inclusion of Mega Evolution boss fights promises to break up repetition with more intense, high-stakes encounters.
Technical and Artistic Improvements
Visually, Legends ZA represents a notable improvement over Scarlet and Violet. Running at 60 FPS on the Switch 2, the game offers smoother performance, better texture work, and more cohesive lighting. Some areas, like hotel interiors, show remarkable attention to detail, while others—especially outdoor city sections—feel uneven in polish.
Audio remains one of the weakest aspects. Pokémon still make basic Game Boy-era sounds, and characters remain voiceless even in cinematic moments. The reviewer’s fan-made dubbing experiment demonstrates just how much emotion and immersion proper voice acting could add. Despite this, the overall audiovisual presentation marks a step forward for the series.
Pokémon Legends ZA successfully reimagines what a Legends title can be. It blends open-world exploration with structured urban gameplay, introduces meaningful competitive systems, and refines the series’ combat flow. While not flawless—especially in terms of polish and voice work—it’s a promising evolution that pushes Pokémon closer to the immersive RPG experience fans have long desired.
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