'Pokémon Legends: Za' brings more action than ever to the series

After almost three decades of experience, Pokémon continues to reinvent itself without losing its essence. Since the arrival of the first games for Game Boy in 1996, the saga has evolved with new regions and ways to play, but always maintaining the same premise: capture, train, and battle pocket monsters. Beyond the countless spin-offs Existing Pokémon titles, Game Freak and Nintendo opened a new line within the world's most valuable multimedia franchise with Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022). The series Legends It opts for a more open and narrative adventure, in addition to adding innovative mechanics that break away from the main titles. Three years afterArceus And with the first rumors of a new generation of Pokémon leaked on the Internet, it arrives Pokémon Legends: ZA with a fresh proposal.

The new title is set in a futuristic version of Luminalia City, the great metropolis of the Kalos region, inspired by France and the protagonist of the 3DS games. Pokémon X and AND (2013). The player becomes involved in an urban development project that aims to turn the city into a sustainable and safe space through coexistence between humans and PokémonThe gameplay is tied to a day-night cycle that defines the game's core dynamic: during the day, the tranquility invites exploration, advancing the plot, and capturing new species; but at night, trainers go out looking for a fight, and some wild monsters get out of control. This semi-open structure allows you to alternate the main quest with secondary activities, such as freely exploring the neighborhoods of Lumiose, now richer in details and secrets to discover.

Real-time combat and the return of Mega Evolutions

The new release recovers the free capture ofArceus, with the ability to catch bugs without having to fight. The big new feature and the main focus of Pokémon Legends: ZA Its real-time combat system. Unlike the traditional turn-based battles of the main series, here the action happens continuously, with direct control of the movement and attacks of both the trainer and the player. PokémonBattles maintain the series' signature strategy, such as type advantages, but everything takes on a more dynamic and cinematic pace. Of course, new factors must be taken into account, such as the range of attacks and the time it takes before they can be used again. This twist seeks to bring the franchise closer to a more contemporary language of action games, but without losing the tactical depth that Pokémon fans have come to expect.

A big surprise in the title is the return of Mega Evolutions, a beloved mechanic that hasn't appeared since the seventh generation of Pokémon. Mega Evolutions are temporary evolutions that alter the form and characteristics of a Pokémon. Pokémon to such an extent that they can completely change the flow of a battle. This time, in fact, not only is the mechanic recovered but it is given a central role in the title: the plot leads the player to stop the Pokémon that Mega Evolve in the wild in an uncontrolled manner. In fact, this sequel doesn't add any new creatures, but it does introduce more than twenty new Mega forms for existing species, which expands the strategic range and keeps even the most experienced trainers on their toes.

Multiplayer modes and an already confirmed expansion

It's clear that combat is a core part of this installment, and it's especially channeled into a sort of league called ZA, which gives the game its name and in which trainers compete throughout the city when night falls. The goal is to climb from rank Z to rank A, with increasingly tougher battles and rivals. What's more, aside from the single-player narrative campaign, Pokémon Legends: ZA It also incorporates interesting multiplayer options. For example, players can face each other in individual or group duels, or join together in cooperative missions to try to capture Pokémon Powerful Pokémon hidden in dangerous areas of the city. Players have options to choose from, as one of the series' classic objectives remains completing the Pokédex with all available species.

The game is released for both the original Switch and the Switch 2, with an enhancement package that optimizes your performance on the new console. Finally, Nintendo has already announced an expansion for the installment or, as it is now known, a downloadable content (from English DLC). It is a decision that has not excited the entire public due to the fact that it was announced prior to the publication of the title, but the expansion is planned Megadimension arrives in the spring. This will expand the story and add new areas and missions, as well as new mega forms like the forgotten Raichu, the evolution of the franchise's star mascot. Pokémon Legends: ZA arrived on October 16th with the goal of offering an experience with more action than ever in a universe that continues to captivate generations.