In the City: GeekDad Reviews ‘Pokémon Legends: Z-A’

As the first new Pokémon title available on Nintendo’s Switch 2 hardware platform, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the very definition of a big Q4 release. That makes it all the more fitting that your adventure takes place in Lumiose City, the grand Parisian metropolis of Pokémon X and Y fame.
After a short intro video, your character finds themself in the big city where recent urban development seeks to forge a utopia wherein humans and Pokémon live side by side. In short order, you’re introduced to Taunie (or Urbaine), who convinces you to join her (his) team for the citywide Z-A Royale, a system where trainers earn points and move up the ranks via promotion matches to… uh, be the very best. Like no one ever was.
This arrangement comes with a sweet new starter Pokémon, a built-in friend group, and a place to call home, Hotel Z, whose wizened owner, the giant AZ, might look familiar to longtime fans. Further filling out the cast are Mable, director of the local Pokémon Research Lab, crackerjack detective Emma, and imposing “secretary” Vinnie.

From its shopping arcades to its cafes and parks, Lumiose is a beautiful, inviting environment. image: NOA
Each has a role to play as you find your footing in Lumiose, capturing creatures, aiding citizens, and soaking up the local culture. That is, when you’re not frantically trying to determine the cause of troublesome Pokémon who can Mega Evolve without trainers, uncover the mysteries surrounding the iconic Prism Tower, and discover why your own movements are being monitored from afar by the enigmatic Zygarde.
Visually, Legends: Z-A has the sort of cohesive, cartoony look one would expect from a next-gen Pokémon entry. The Pokémon models are bright and bold, the citizens of Lumiose City are nicely varied, and thanks to a wealth of purchasable gear and salon-ready hairstyles, player characters are wonderfully customizable.
A lot of care was obviously put into the angular urban environments, which carry over into the incongruous Wild Zones, numbered Pokémon preserves plopped down throughout Lumiose by Quasartico Inc., the municipality’s resident corporate overlords. These areas are where your character will catch the bulk of their Pokémon while also dodging the occasional raging Alpha (a carryover from Legends: Arceus).
The most striking visual aspect, though, is surely all the new Mega Evolutions, and while they’re not all winners in my book, each at least offers a novel new take on the fully evolved forms of familiar Pokémon. The day/night cycle in Legends: Z-A also showcases some minor but interesting variations in the city itself, with the ever-shifting nighttime Battle Zone, wherein trainers participate in the Z-A Royale, functionally replacing the gym system of the core Pokémon titles.

The longer you play, the easier it becomes to traverse the city’s unique geography. image: NOA
Obviously, the overarching visual aesthetic isn’t going to be for everyone, and those anticipating more realistic graphics likely won’t be overly enthused. Despite really digging the look myself, even I can admit that it’s not all wine and roses. While the concrete jungle is nicely consistent, sometimes the tree and grass textures seem a little flat up close. Still, even with that minor quibble, I appreciate that the Switch 2’s most robust specs did away with the frequent pop-in I’d come to expect from similar free-roaming titles on the original Switch.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s visuals are nicely paired with an evocative soundtrack that features all the classic Pokémon melodies, albeit with occasional tweaks to tempo and instrumentation. Most impressive is the music and sound effects when faced with one of the game’s various Rogue Megas.
Here’s where the sound design really shines, providing additional tension to what are already lengthy, challenging battles. These mini-boss-style sequences also highlight the biggest change in Legends: Z-A, and what will likely determine your overall enjoyment of the title.
Whether battling Pokémon in Wild Zones, facing another trainer in the Battle Zone, or (especially) in combat with a Rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon, the game’s active battle system is on full display. This means not only is your trainer free to move around during combat, but your active Pokémon’s attacks play out in real time.

Mega Ampharos is awfully… fluffy. image: NOA
Pokémon moves and, also of note, your boxes of surplus Pocket Monsters are easily accessible practically anytime you’re not in combat, meaning you can tweak your lineup and your parties’ move set on the fly. When a Pokémon is sent out (selected using the d-pad), its moves are displayed onscreen, mapped to the face buttons. To execute a move, the player must hold ZL to choose a target, then also press the corresponding A/B/X/Y button.
Now, here’s where things can get hairy. Most of those face buttons pull double duty for your character: Y to roll, B to dash, and X remains the menu button. This all works fine under normal circumstances, but when the pressure is on — -like during a Rogue Mega battle — -you’re faced with a unique quandary.
Z-A’s active battle system relies on a cooldown timer to prevent you from just spamming your ‘Mon’s most devastating move. Because of this, when tangling with a powerful foe like a Rogue, you have to alternate between targeting said enemy for attacks (ZL + attack button) and moving yourself out of the path of its inevitable retribution (by quickly releasing ZL and dashing/rolling away). Because Rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon will target your character. A lot.

Traditionally, Mega Evolution requires a Mega Stone for the Pokémon in question and a corresponding bracelet for the trainer. image: NOA
Take, for example, my old nemesis from last month’s hands-on demo, Mega Victreebell. Even with foreknowledge of its patterns, I was still struck by distance attacks and mired in its poisoned terrain. This led to me failing this mission four times in a row, not because I had exhausted my Pokémon party, but because my own character had blacked out!
Legends: Z-A allows you to pick up where you left off in these lengthy encounters, restoring health to you and your party while keeping existing damage dealt to your enemy, which is a nice touch. Still, considering you’ll need to constantly move your character both to keep them safe and to collect the Mega Energy needed to Mega Evolve your own Pokémon, it can make real-time battles feel rather overwhelming.
The whole hold-ZL-attack, release-ZL-dodge thing sounds simple enough, but when added to all your other battlefield logistics (monitoring health, collecting Mega Energy, lining up attacks, watching enemy movement), especially early on, I really felt outmatched.
But here’s the thing: this additional challenge didn’t tarnish the overall gameplay. While occasionally trying, Legends: Z-A remains a fun and satisfying Pokémon experience.

The life of an urban Pokémon trainer is a little different, but it’s still enjoyable and exciting. image: NOA
It shakes up the core series’ constants — -not just capturing and battling, but even stuff like the classic quiz mini-game — -like no title before. Somehow, though, it still feels perfectly Pokémon.
In no time, catching new creatures in Wild Zones while chasing down leads during the day, then earning Ticket Points in the neon Battle Zone by night, came to feel just as natural to me as trudging through spooky forests and besting gym leaders.
Ok, so maybe the new battle system still trips me up once in a while, but I just keep doing my best. Because that’s all the Pokémon games really ask. The rest is worked out through trial and error, preparation… and maybe a little luck.
Available Thursday, October 16, on both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Nintendo Switch (with a $9.99 Upgrade Pack available for the latter), Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a fun new evolution of the Legends spin-off series that still manages to capture the spirit of the core franchise.
Review and promotional materials provided by Nintendo of America. This post contains affiliate links. Team Totodile for life!