Pokemon Legends: ZA Review
Pokémon Legends: Z-A – It’s a City… Full of Pokémon
Hey everyone, it’s me, the 13-year-old Pokémon trainer of the house here! I just finished Pokémon Legends: Z-A Switch 2 Edition, and wow… this game is something special. It’s got some of the best gameplay I’ve ever seen in a Pokémon game, but also a few things that made me go, “Wait, that’s it?” So, let’s get into it.
The Gameplay
Okay, first things first, the live battle mechanics are awesome. It’s not the same old “pick your move and wait” thing anymore. You actually feel like you’re part of the fight. The flow is faster, the action feels more real, and it just makes battles way more exciting. You still need to match the right moves against the Pokémon type, though.
The visuals are super polished. Everything looks clean and smooth. Running around the city feels great because the movement is smooth.
And can we talk about Mega Evolutions being back?! I legit yelled when I saw that. Especially with my all time favorite, Mega Lucario! Bringing those back was such a smart move. There’s just something about watching your Pokémon transform mid-battle that never gets old.
Credit: Nintendo USA
The City Is Cool… But Where’s the Adventure?
Now for the not-so-awesome part. The city is HUGE and full of cool details, but once you’ve explored it a bit… that’s kinda it.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the design, the little corners, the obstacles, and how alive it all feels. But Pokémon games have always been about exploring the world. That feeling of leaving home with your Pokémon, heading into forests, caves, mountains, and never knowing what’s next, that’s what got me into Pokémon in the first place!
Since Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes place completely inside city walls, that sense of adventure is kinda missing. You don’t get that wild, open-world feeling like in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
So yeah, I love the city, but I also miss the journey.
The city in Pokemon Legends: ZA
My Final Thoughts
Even with its limits, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is still one of my favorite Pokémon games ever. The gameplay is incredible, the battles are fresh, and it looks amazing. It just feels like half a step forward instead of a full leap.
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely. It’s still super fun to play and worth checking out.
One More Thing, Game Freak…
Since I’ve got your attention, can we PLEASE get a Pokémon game that looks and feels like Skyrim? Imagine a truly open world Pokémon game with realistic graphics, deep exploration, and massive landscapes. You’d keep your old fans (hi, that’s me and my whole family) and bring in a ton of new ones too!
Make it happen. Please.
Disclaimer: The Real Family received product, services, or other compensation in exchange for this review. However, the opinions expressed within are entirely our own and reflect our honest views and real experiences.
We're the Real Family!
We believe in honest, thorough, well-thought-out feedback from a family-oriented and clean perspective. Mom Caroline works in marketing, Dad Craig is an electrician, and Kid Ethan is a full-time middle schooler. We have been adventuring together for 12+ years. Join us as we cosplay at comic cons, meet other car enthusiasts at car shows, travel to new places, immerse ourselves in live theater on Broadway, and share our experiences with the latest movies, games, shows, social media fads, and more!
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