Pokémon Legends Z‑A Review – Battle System Overhaul and City‑Centric Adventure

Introduction

Three years after the surprise success of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Nintendo and Game Freak return with Pokémon Legends Z‑A. The Legends sub‑series has become the studio’s laboratory for experimenting with mechanics that feel too risky for the mainline titles. Z‑A pushes the envelope further, delivering a bold new combat system while confining the adventure to a single, Paris‑inspired metropolis. This review breaks down what works, what falls short, and whether the game deserves a spot in your collection.

A Fresh Take on Pokémon Combat

Real‑Time Battles with Cooldowns

The most striking change is the shift from the franchise’s classic turn‑based battles to a real‑time combat system that uses cooldowns instead of PP. Every move is available at any moment, but after use it must recharge, forcing players to think strategically about timing rather than simply spamming their strongest attacks.

• Speed matters – Weaker, faster moves can finish an opponent before a more powerful attack becomes available.
• Positioning is key – Ground‑type moves will miss flying Pokémon if you’re out of range, a visual cue that the game now punishes poor placement.
• No PP anxiety – Since there are no power points, you can experiment with the full move pool without worrying about depletion.

This hybrid of turn‑based depth and action‑oriented pacing feels like a “Zenoblade‑ification” of Pokémon and may become the benchmark for future spin‑offs. While longtime fans of turn‑based JRPGs might miss the traditional feel, the system is intuitive enough to win over newcomers who find classic battles sluggish.

Tactical Trainer Encounters

Trainer battles have also been streamlined. The lengthy introductory cutscenes are gone, and you can now ambush opponents by hiding in the environment, gaining a tactical edge at the start of a fight. The result is a faster, more engaging duel that keeps the overall pacing brisk.

Lumiosa City – A Pokémon‑Styled Paris

The entire game unfolds within Lumiosa City, the Pokémon universe’s homage to Paris first seen in Pokémon X & Y. The city’s aesthetic blends historic architecture with modern flair, creating a charming backdrop for exploration.

Limited World Design

• Single‑location focus – All activities occur inside the city limits, which can feel cramped after a few hours.
• Dense side‑quests – The city is packed with obstacle courses, mini‑missions, and “battle zones” that open at night.
• Missing countryside – Unlike Arceus, there is no surrounding wilderness to break up the urban monotony. Players repeatedly traverse the same streets, which may lead to a sense of claustrophobia.

Day‑Night Cycle and Battle Zones

The night transforms parts of the city into battle zones, functioning as the game’s version of gyms. These zones host waves of trainers and provide the primary means of climbing the Z‑A Royale ranking system, which progresses from Z rank to A rank across 26 alphabetical steps. While the concept is novel, the repetitive nature of battling the same trainers can become tedious.

Visuals and Performance on Switch 2

Legends Z‑A is the first Pokémon title built with the upcoming Switch 2 hardware in mind. Though not a graphical showcase, the game runs smoothly at a stable frame rate and presents a noticeable upgrade over the original Switch entries Scarlet and Violet.

• Improved textures and lighting give the city a cozy, “low‑fi PlayStation 2” charm.
• Consistent performance avoids the frame‑rate dips that plagued earlier Switch Pokémon releases.
• No revolutionary visuals – The game still feels like a Pokémon title first and a next‑gen showcase second.

Audio Design and Voice Work

The soundtrack captures the romantic vibe of a city at night and daytime bustle, with a main theme that loops throughout the day. However, the reliance on static subtitle boxes for dialogue, paired with occasional fully animated cutscenes without voice acting, creates an inconsistent audio experience. In an era where even modest RPGs include partial voice work, the absence feels like a missed opportunity.

Story, Progression, and Mega Evolutions

The narrative follows the familiar Pokémon formula: a young trainer rises through ranks, encounters Mega Evolutions, and uncovers a city‑wide mystery. While the plot is serviceable, it lacks the depth of earlier Legends titles.

• Mega Evolutions have been re‑imagined, offering temporary power spikes that are often essential for progression.
• Side content such as research tracks from Arceus returns but feels less integral, allowing players to skip grinding.
• Ranking system provides clear goals but can feel like a grind due to the repetitive trainer battles.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Innovative real‑time combat with strategic cooldowns.
• Fast‑paced trainer encounters and ambush mechanics.
• Polished performance on Switch 2 hardware.
• Charming city aesthetic that captures a Paris‑like atmosphere.
• Reduced filler – quick tutorials, concise dialogues, and minimal grinding.

Cons

• Single‑location world limits exploration and can feel claustrophobic.
• Repetitive ranking loop may become tedious after extended play.
• Audio inconsistency due to lack of voice acting in animated scenes.
• Visuals are a step up but not groundbreaking.
• Limited wild‑area space reduces the joy of Pokémon hunting compared to Arceus.

Conclusion

Pokémon Legends Z‑A delivers a bold experiment that could define a parallel Pokémon line focused on streamlined combat and urban adventure. The real‑time battle system is the standout feature, offering a fresh, engaging experience that may even eclipse traditional turn‑based battles for many players. However, the decision to confine the entire experience to Lumiosa City and the repetitive nature of the ranking grind prevent the game from reaching its full potential.

For newcomers, veterans, and even lapsed fans, the title provides enough novelty to warrant a purchase, especially for those eager to try the new combat mechanics. While it isn’t the definitive next‑gen Pokémon masterpiece the franchise could aspire to, it is a solid, enjoyable entry that pushes the series forward in meaningful ways.

Bottom line: Pokémon Legends Z‑A is worth playing for its combat overhaul and charming city setting, even if its world design leaves you wishing for a bit more space to roam.