Pokémon, the world-renowned franchise adored for its cast of lovable creatures, is no stranger to making attempts to deliver new experiences for their devoted fans. Game Freak’s latest release, “Legends Z-A,” launched on Oct. 16, is considerably one of their biggest steps forward as a gaming company.
The Pokémon series’ run on the Nintendo Switch received mixed reviews, ranging from praise for the ambition found in “Legends: Arceus” to criticism over the abhorrent graphics in “Scarlet” and “Violet.” However, “Z-A” strikes a middle ground between the two, offering a one of a kind journey that has yet to be executed in a Pokémon game.
The Gameplay loop
Since the release of “Pokémon Red” and “Pokémon Green” in 1996, the series has always been a part of the turn-based action role-playing game genre. Barely any changes were made in the past 29 years until “Z-A” came along and introduced a real-time battle system. This shift may seem risky, but it’s a welcome one that ushers a new era for the franchise.
Quality of life improvements reeled in from past games have also been collated into this title, adding to the enjoyment of the core gameplay. Particularly, the catching and battling mechanics from “Legends: Arceus” make a return—much to fans’ approval.
On top of the seamless action-based real-time battling, added features such as gender-neutral clothing and a day and night cycle that serve differential purposes elevate it from being a mere departure from pre-established conventions. “Legends: Z-A” presents itself as an adventure, one that drags you along an exhilarating ride across the streets of Lumiose City.
Revisiting Lumiose
The story takes place in Lumiose City, a Paris-inspired metropolis previously introduced in 2013’s “Pokémon X” and “Pokémon Y.” Fans’ expectations were subverted, as it was once speculated that the “Legends” game following “Arceus” would be set in a different area.
Generation VI, the “X” and “Y” games, were the inception for the shift from Pokémon’s two-dimensional sprite aesthetic to a full 3D display. This drastic change, unfortunately, led to most of the narrative being haphazardly done, with barely any post-game content to work with and a story that felt undercooked. Revisiting Lumiose allows the game to address many of these shortcomings.
“Z-A” did a full 180 from the bare-bones presented in Generation VI and fleshed out a new batch of fresh faces alongside refurbished returning characters. Even the interactions with the Pokémon beckons you to believe that these creatures are real. From your first steps into the city to a final battle against a doomsday event, there was heart present in every detail.
Continuing the trend from the past two Pokémon games, as seen in “Legends: Arceus,” and “Scarlet” and “Violet,” the game made the right choice to focus on the unexplored tales in the world of Pokémon. Gone are the days where players are simple trainers from a small town tucked in a corner of a map. Now, they’re surveyors in post-feudal Japan, students in Spanish universities, and tourists embarking on legendary adventures.
The curation of the overarching themes and easy-to-follow plot allowed it to exude individuality and charm. Paired together with the nearly perfected battling mechanics, the overall presentation of the game undoubtedly gets an A for effort.
Yet despite its pristine façade, the game still lacks the polish expected from a Triple-A game.
Rough around the edges
Pokémon games have always been behind in the visual department, and this game is no exception.
Textures are flat and buildings have no three-dimensional detail to them. Furthermore, long-distance rendering may have somewhat improved from “Scarlet” and “Violet,” but it barely scratches the surface of being decent.
Game Freak is not exactly known for their graphics, but the sluggish visual improvement in their games continuously justify the online mobs coming for them. Nonetheless, it doesn’t take away from the experience and this game would have been just as fun to play even if it had better graphics.
The price to pay
“Pokémon Legends: Z-A” retails for ₱2,595 on the Nintendo Switch and ₱3,095 for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. While many expected this price to include the full experience, certain features are still locked behind a paywall.
To obtain the Greninjite, Delphoxite, and Chesnaughtite, items required to Mega Evolve certain Pokémon, players would need to play ranked online battles which are exclusive for Nintendo Online subscribers. Subscriptions range from $1.67 to $3.99 monthly payments (around ₱98.20 and ₱234.60 respectively).
Additionally, on Nov. 6, Game Freak announced paid downloadable content (DLC) for the title. The “Mega Dimension” DLC, priced at roughly ₱1,762.57 and set for release on Dec. 10, ties the loose ends left in the story and unlocks more Mega Evolutions.
The accumulating price to fully play the game is undoubtedly one of its biggest flaws, but the thrill the initial game brings somewhat rationalizes the price tag. It’s not until the DLC comes out that the fate of this game’s longevity and value are justified.
