The ever evolving franchise just gets better and better – but the latest Pokémon game isn’t without it’s flaws. After 80 hours playing the game, completing the story and completing all there is to do (ahead of the DLC, that is), here’s our thoughts…
The Positives – Innovation That Sparks Joy
Pokémon Legends Z-A represents something truly special for the franchise – a game that dares to evolve alongside its aging fanbase while maintaining that core Pokémon magic we’ve cherished for decades. The real-time battle system is nothing short of revolutionary, transforming combat into an immersive, dynamic experience where cooldowns and charge times force players to rethink strategy in exhilarating ways. Gone are the predictable turn-based rhythms; in their place is a thrilling active-time system that keeps you on your toes, making battles feel more alive than ever before.
The graphics have taken a genuine leap forward. This might be the best-looking Pokémon game in years, with Lumiose City providing a vibrant backdrop that finally does justice to the franchise’s potential on modern hardware. The attention to detail in the urban environment, from the rooftop exploration to the Wild Zones seamlessly integrated into the cityscape, creates a world that feels cohesive and inviting.
Character development shines through in unexpected ways. The story is far more mature by Pokémon standards, treating players like experienced trainers rather than beginners, with legitimately funny writing and deep-cut references to X & Y lore that longtime fans will adore. The cast feels genuine, and the narrative threads weaving through Lumiose City – from Quasartico Inc.’s controversial redevelopment to the tension between progress and tradition-add layers of depth rarely seen in the series.
The return of Mega Evolution feels like coming home. There’s an undeniable thrill in watching your carefully trained partners transform into their ultimate forms. Each Mega Evolution feels earned, special, and visually spectacular.
The Negatives – Disappointing Decisions That Hold Us Back
But for all its triumphs, Z-A stumbles in ways that feel particularly frustrating because they’re entirely avoidable. The most egregious issue? Day-one paid DLC that fragments the experience before players even start their journey, with the $30 Mega Dimension expansion announced before launch and featuring content like Mega Raichu forms that feel like they should have been in the base game. This aggressive monetization strategy leaves a bitter taste-why are we paying premium prices for what feels like an incomplete experience?
The Pokédex size is genuinely disappointing. With only 230-231 Pokémon available in the base game, Z-A offers barely more variety than Legends: Arceus despite having access to eight generations of creatures. The game doesn’t even include the complete Kalos Pokédex, which feels like a missed opportunity when returning to this beloved region. Where are fan favorites? Why does a game set in Kalos feel so restrictive in its creature selection?
The absence of voice acting in 2025 is inexcusable. For one of the most lucrative media franchises in the world, the lack of voice acting represents a symptom of systemic corner-cutting, with basic visuals, lifeless animations, and minimalist audio design that betray the franchise’s massive resources. When indie developers with fraction of the budget deliver fully voiced experiences, there’s no defending this choice. It makes emotional moments fall flat and prevents the game from reaching the cinematic heights it clearly aspires to.
The removal of Legends: Arceus’s strategic catching mechanics-like using berries to distract Pokémon or smoke bombs for positioning-waters down what made its predecessor engaging. The catching system feels like a regression rather than refinement, and the lack of incentive to repeatedly catch Pokémon removes a core gameplay loop that made exploration rewarding.
Overall Consensus & The Future
Pokémon Legends Z-A sits in a frustrating middle ground. It’s easily the best Pokémon game in years, possibly since Mega Evolution last appeared in mainline titles, proving the Legends series formula has enormous potential. The experimental spirit shines through-real-time combat, mature storytelling, and urban exploration demonstrate Game Freak’s willingness to take risks.
Yet it could have been much, much more, hampered by design choices that suggest a studio still coasting on brand recognition rather than pursuing excellence. The day-one DLC, limited Pokédex, and missing features feel like deliberate withholding rather than technical limitations.
For the franchise’s future, Z-A represents both hope and warning. The Legends series has carved out essential space for innovation-a non-negotiable accompaniment to mainline games where Game Freak can explore new mechanics and deeper lore. If they lean into what makes Z-A excellent while addressing its shortcomings, the next entry could be genuinely perfect.
But there’s genuine concern that success despite flaws will encourage more aggressive monetization and continued corner-cutting. The franchise feels like it’s being developed with minimum viable effort rather than maximum potential, which is heartbreaking for those who know how extraordinary these games could be.
Final Verdict: Pokémon Legends Z-A is a flawed masterpiece-brilliant innovations marred by frustrating business decisions. It’s worth playing for the revolutionary battle system and heartfelt story, but the day-one DLC tactics and missing polish remind us that even franchise giants can lose sight of what made them special. Here’s hoping Game Freak learns the right lessons going forward, because the potential for greatness is undeniably there.
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