Summary

  • Pokemon Legends: Z-A will build on Arceus elements to set new standards for the series.
  • The game has room to experiment and try new things as it finds its identity.
  • Like Pokemon X and Y, Z-A has the chance to innovate and elevate the franchise.

Although a lot about Pokemon Legends: Z-A is still unknown, fans of the series can be sure that the game will build upon the elements introduced in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. As only the second game to bear the "Pokemon Legends" name, Pokemon Legends: Z-A has the opportunity to experiment with the mechanics and world design of the series to solidify conventions that could become standard for future Pokemon Legends games. While this role might put a lot of pressure on the game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A can afford to make some mistakes or try unconventional things as the subseries begins to find its identity.

The reveal of Pokemon Legends: Arceus came as quite a surprise for fans, as the Pokemon series had been receiving criticism for becoming too formulaic and stagnant in recent generations. Pokemon Legends: Arceus went on to become widely praised by fans despite some rough edges for its efforts to bring an entirely new gameplay loop to the franchise. With the initial proof of concept out of the way with Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Legends: Z-A now has a license to get creative with its expansion of the Pokemon Legends series.

Pokemon Legends Z-A Needs To Avoid One Violet Mistake for Any New Pokemon
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Needs To Avoid One Violet Issue for New Pokemon

Pokemon Legends: Z-A will likely introduce new Pokemon, but with its futuristic setting, Game Freak needs to be careful not to repeat past mistakes.

4
By 

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Has the Perfect Excuse to Try New Things

The Pokemon Legends Series is Still in its Infancy

Pokemon Legends: Arceus already brought a new perspective to the franchise by taking players back in time and allowing them to freely catch mons in the overworld through active Poke Ball-throwing gameplay. With only one game to build upon, there are near-endless directions Pokemon Legends: Z-A can take to further the ideas introduced in its predecessor without betraying the core of the budding Pokemon Legends series. Pokemon Legends: Z-A is also set to be the successor to Pokemon X and Y, putting it in the perfect position to follow in those games' footsteps when it comes to elevating the franchise to new heights.

The Kalos Region Has a History Of Experimentation

Despite the criticism of Pokemon X and Y, Gen 6 is arguably one of the most crucial generations in the series when it comes to defining the modern era of Pokemon. These titles marked the first time a mainline Pokemon game featured 3D graphics after five prior generations of 2D sprites. Along with this transition into 3D, the hardware of the 3DS allowed Pokemon X and Y to experiment with different mechanics that were not possible in past titles.

The 3DS' circle pad allowed the games to feature eight-directional movement that resulted in cute additions like the ability to roller-skate and perform tricks on the skates. The improved technical specs of the 3DS also allowed Pokemon X and Y to feature the largest city featured in a mainline game up to that point in Lumiose City, filled with different streets and shops for players to explore. While not directly tied to 3DS hardware, Pokemon X and Y took experimentation a step further and featured the fan-favorite Mega Evolution as a new gameplay mechanic, spawning the trend of generational battle gimmicks still seen in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet today.

While some of the mechanics Gen 6 experimented with were more successful than others, they helped push the series forward in terms of breaking its formulaic mold. Now, Pokemon Legends: Z-A finds itself in a similar position as the Pokemon Legends series begins to find its footing after the success of Pokemon Legends: Arceus. With this upcoming title taking players back to the Kalos Region of Gen 6, it seems only natural that Pokemon Legends: Z-A would adopt the spirit of innovation and experimentation that its spiritual predecessor took when expanding on established series conventions.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
pokemon legends za vertical
Pokemon Legends Z-A
Display card tags widget
RPG
Display card system widget
Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget
Released
2025
ESRB
e
Developer(s)
Game Freak
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Franchise
Pokemon
Platform(s)
Switch
Genre(s)
RPG
pokemon-legends-z-a-trailer-title