Pokémon Legends Z-A Review Thread (1 Viewer)

[Matthew]

Title: Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 (October 16th)

Open Critic: 81 average - 87% recommended
Metacritic: 80/100


Areajugones - Ramón Baylos - Spanish - 9.2 / 10

I'm sure of it: beyond its imperfections and the unfinished business Game Freak has yet to resolve, Pokémon Legends: Z-A marks the first step in a smart direction—one that aligns with what many fans have been asking for over the years and shows particular respect for the legacy it inherits from the most successful franchise in history. I'm convinced we're looking at one of those special games, one of those one-in-a-million experiments that end up working out. This time, Game Freak, you have my full attention.

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CGMagazine - Zubi Khan - 8 / 10

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is here, bringing with it the second exciting entry into the Legends spinoff series of games

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COGconnected - Oliver Ferguson - 78 / 100

It's also worth noting that players can enjoy online link play over the internet as well as with nearby local consoles. Private matches can be created with friends. With all the gameplay changes it does feel like a substantially new Pokémon experience, but one that is being held back by a repetitive story with too little open world exploration.

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Eurogamer - Chris Tapsell - 3 / 5

Lumiose City could do with work, but Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a much more tightly focused - and delightfully goofy - return to better form. At least by modern Pokémon's standards.

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Everyeye.it - Gabriele Laurino - Italian - 7.5 / 10

Despite its flaws, it brings a breath of fresh air and stands as an interesting evolution of Arceus. After years of stagnation, despite some timid steps forward on the gameplay front, we can say that Pokémon Legends confirms its position as the series' most interesting approach, at least in the Switch era.

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GAMES.CH - Benjamin Braun - German - 85%

Aside from the weak environmental graphics, the setting is also impressive. It's been a long time since we've felt so much desire to simply explore the world in a "Pokémon" game, inspecting every alley and every rooftop. The developers' courage to try something new has certainly paid off. As long as real-time battles aren't a no-go per se, Pokémon fans can buy it with a clear conscience.

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GamerFocus - Francisco Rosado - Spanish - 8.8 / 10

It's not the perfect Pokémon, but it is one of the bravest and most consistent in the evolution that the Legends series is beginning to consolidate, with the added benefit of a successful localization for Latin America.

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GamesRadar+ - Catherine Lewis - 4 / 5

That dream sold to us by the Pokemon anime? It's right here, clearer than it ever has been.

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Gfinity - Alister Kennedy - 7 / 10

A decent enough game that fails to innovate in the same way Legends Arceus did, Pokemon Legends Z-A feels like a wasted opportunity that may only be worth it for die-hard fans.

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Glitched Africa - Marco Cocomello - 9 / 10

Pokemon Legends: Z-A changes the pace with an exhilarating new combat system and exciting new Mega Evolutions to discover, all centred around a familiar yet oddly different setting that pays tribute to one of Game Freak's most underrated regions.

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Hobby Consolas - Álvaro Alonso - Spanish - 85 / 100

Pokémon Legends: ZA is the next step in the series' mega-evolution, a title with fresh ideas, a spirit of renewal, and a desire to do things right. While there's still work to be done, this is the path future Pokémon games should follow.

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IGN Italy - Luca Rago - Italian - 7.5 / 10

Pokémon Legends: ZA is fun and exciting with its Mega Evolutions and new battle system, but its shortcomings keep it from truly excelling.

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IGN Spain - Mario Sánchez - Spanish - 8 / 10

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a release heavily focused on battles. While its story and graphics don't particularly stand out, the addictive gameplay, dynamic combat, and fun online mode make it a must-play title for both veteran fans and newcomers.

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Le Bêta-Testeur - Patrick Tremblay - French - 8.5 / 10

It's an adventure as strategic as it is spectacular, which finally gives the series back that little bit of magic we thought was lost.

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Nintendo Life - Alana Hagues - 7 / 10

Pokémon Legends: Z-A should be celebrated for its fabulous real-time combat and its largely smooth jump to the Switch 2, but in condensing things down to one single location, it loses part of the Pokémon magic that Arceus and many other entries managed to amplify.I'll forever find filling up my Pokédex fun, and for the Switch 2 generation, this is a good starting point for the franchise. But if the Legends series is to continue, it needs to recapture its personality and fuse that real-time system with a bit more freedom.

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PPE.pl - Wojciech Gruszczyk - Polish - 9 / 10

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is exactly what this series needed – a fresh idea, technical refinement, and new energy. The developers finally dared to combine experimentation with classic elements, creating an adventure that is engaging, looks great, and proves that the world of Pokémon can evolve without losing its identity. It's not perfect – the pace is uneven and the difficulty level is too conservative – but it's still one of the most satisfying installments in the series in years.

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RPG Site - 9 / 10

With its grand return to Kalos, Gamefreak has delivered a Pokemon game like no other.

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Shacknews - Donovan Erskine - 9 / 10

The new battle system feels like a watershed moment for the franchise, and I hope we see it again soon. As a fan who always lamented the fact that we never got a "Pokemon Z" after X and Y, this return to Lumiose City is what I've been waiting over a decade for.

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Spaziogames - Italian - 8.8 / 10

A refines the series' formula with a leaner, more focused, and genuinely fun experience. Despite its dated visuals, Game Freak delivers one of the most enjoyable entries in years a "sequel to a spin-off" that carries the kind of soul we hope to see return in the mainline games.

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TheSixthAxis - Nic Bunce - 10 / 10

Unlike the most recent Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a game that really holds your attention. The spiritual successor to Legends Arceus, it's learned from the mistakes of the distant past and beautifully shows what city life is like in the Pokémon universe. I can see myself playing this for another hundred hours as I finish my Pokédex, shiny hunt and generally have a great time. This is easily the best Pokémon game on the market.

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VG247 - 4 / 5

Hopefully Game Freak will continue using the Legends series as a playground (maybe a return to pixel graphics, just a suggestion), but, for now, Lumiose City has been a treat to revisit.

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XGN.nl - Luuc ten Velde - Dutch - 7 / 10

Pokémon Legends: Z-A offers a great, new way of play while offering an expansive city to explore. Though the game isn't pretty in the slightest, it's hard not to enjoy everything this package has to offer.

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[Matthew]

My biggest concern was the new battle system, but I'm glad it's mostly all positive. Looks other hallmark Pokemon issues are present though. City seems to be lifeless and presentation could be a lot better. I really wish they would spend more time with these games. According to the leaks, S/V made over $1 billion against a $21.8 million dollar budget. Legends: Arceus made around $900 billion against a $14.4 million dollar budget.

GameFreak really needs to spend more time with these games and up the budget on them. There is literally no reason not to with how much money they are making.

I'll still be picking this after I get back from vacation. Anyone planning on playing this tomorrow?

 

[Smokey]

I might pick this up in the future. I'm not overly into pokemon like I was when I was younger, but I also would like more stuff to play on my Switch 2.

 

[Aught-O-Matic]

I have Legends ZA pre-ordered, going to pick it up from GameStop after work. My friend got it at around 3AM EST, said it's been really fun so far and the city doesn't feel small/lifeless like some of the reviews are saying. I will have to see for myself tonight though! Getting the NS2 version, definitely going to appreciate that better frame rate.

 

[Cedric]

I've been soooooooo hesitant to buy this. Honestly, I think Game Freak/Nintendo have gotten pretty lazy with how they handle new releases. It feels like they put out another game that still falls short in terms of development. I hate that it's all confined to one town, and that some essential Pokémon are missing. Because of that, I'm worried I'll get bored pretty fast.

On top of that, I'm still on the previous Switch model - and there's no way I'm spending $500+ just to play a Pokémon game I'll probably end up disappointed with.

 

[Matthew]

I've been soooooooo hesitant to buy this. Honestly, I think Game Freak/Nintendo have gotten pretty lazy with how they handle new releases. It feels like they put out another game that still falls short in terms of development. I hate that it's all confined to one town, and that some essential Pokémon are missing. Because of that, I'm worried I'll get bored pretty fast.

On top of that, I'm still on the previous Switch model - and there's no way I'm spending $500+ just to play a Pokémon game I'll probably end up disappointed with.

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I ended up picking it up to play on the plane. Heading to Asia on Thursday. I'll let you know what I think.

 

[Cedric]

I ended up picking it up to play on the plane. Heading to Asia on Thursday. I'll let you know what I think.

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Looking forward. Have a safe trip!

 

[Aught-O-Matic]

So I've played a decent amount of ZA so far, it's pretty good. The new battling style is a breath of fresh air, and graphics/performance are decent. There's a surprising amount of character in the game, and the story is cool so far. I'm still pretty early in the game I suppose, but I am really liking what I've seen up to this point.

 

[Cedric]

So I've played a decent amount of ZA so far, it's pretty good. The new battling style is a breath of fresh air, and graphics/performance are decent. There's a surprising amount of character in the game, and the story is cool so far. I'm still pretty early in the game I suppose, but I am really liking what I've seen up to this point.

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Damnit. This is too good feedback to ignore.

Tempted....