If you’ve ever dreamed of living in the world of Pokémon – running through city streets, battling rival trainers in real-time, or facing down Mega-evolved monsters – Pokémon Legends: Z-A might just be your dream come true. Developed by Game Freak and released for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, this action-RPG takes familiar series elements and flips them into something refreshing, energetic, and fun. While it doesn’t nail everything, there’s plenty here for fans to love.
A City That’s the World – Welcome to Lumiose
Unlike previous wide-open Pokémon regions, Z-A confines action to one massive hub: Lumiose City – based on the Kalos region. The city becomes a playground, evolving as you progress: new zones unlock, night-time competitions activate, and trainer battles spill into unexpected alleyways.
What Works
- • Wild Zones within the city have actual biome variety, from industrial construction sites to snowy rooftops.
- • The story ties into Mega Evolutions and the new Z-A Royale ranking system, creating a strong connection to the Kalos lore.
What’s Less Convincing
- • The single-city setting can’t fully match the scale and freedom of traditional open-world regions.
- • Traversal can sometimes feel tedious, requiring multiple levels of navigation rather than simple cross-map travel.
Combat Revolution – Pokémon in Real Time
Perhaps the biggest change in Z-A is the shift away from traditional turn-based battles. Instead, you engage in real-time combat where timing, positioning, and quick reactions matter as much as elemental matchups. Charging attacks fills your “Mega Energy” meter, allowing Pokémon to Mega Evolve mid-battle for a brief burst of power.
Strengths
- • The faster pace makes fights feel cinematic and thrilling—more like the anime than ever before.
- • Mega Evolutions feel powerful again, changing the tide of battle rather than acting as one-off gimmicks.
- • Nightly Z-A Royale events blend story missions and multiplayer-like challenges seamlessly.
Weaknesses
- • Tactical purists may miss the slower, methodical style of turn-based battles.
- • The new systems aren’t fully explained, which can leave players experimenting through trial and error.
Presentation, Performance & Post-Game
On the Switch 2, Z-A runs beautifully. Performance is smooth, animations are crisp, and the cel-shaded art style makes both Pokémon and cityscapes pop with life. Lumiose City looks brighter and more detailed than ever, though some interior areas feel a little empty compared to the world outside.
The main campaign runs around 25 to 30 hours, depending on how much exploring you do. There’s plenty of post-game content, including additional Z-A Royale tiers, Legendary hunts, and side quests that expand character arcs. It’s clear that Game Freak wants players to stick around well past the credits.
Verdict – A Fresh Starting Point for Pokémon
| Category | Rating / Notes |
|---|---|
| Story & Setting | 8 / 10 – Engaging characters and a bold city-based design. |
| Gameplay / Combat | 9 / 10 – Real-time battles and Mega Evolutions feel exciting. |
| Exploration & World | 7.5 / 10 – Dense city map impresses but lacks wide-open adventure. |
| Presentation & Tech | 8 / 10 – Smooth visuals and performance; minor design gaps. |
| Value & Longevity | 8 / 10 – Solid main story with strong post-game replay value. |
Final Score: 8.3 / 10
For fans of the franchise or players looking for a modern twist, Pokémon Legends: Z-A delivers. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel but refines nearly every aspect of the formula, mixing nostalgia with innovation. Real-time combat, a vibrant Lumiose City, and a return to Mega Evolution make this one of the strongest Pokémon experiences in recent years.
