With additional news aboutPokémon Legends Z-Aslowly releasing with each Nintendo Direct, we finally have an explanation for the strange city symbol showcased at the end of the initial trailer. Not only isPokémon Legends Z-Aintroducing new battle mechanics for traditional battling, but it will also feature a Battle Royale type of event that takes place overnight.
Every night in Lumiose City, a darker tone will fall on the city where trainers will spawn, ready to battle their way through the ranks inPokémon’s firstZ-ARoyale. Starting from rank Z,you must find and challenge these NPC trainers in designated Battle Areas to work your way up the ranks to rank A, where it’s rumored around town that you’ll be rewarded with a mysterious wish.
Legends: Z-A Is Adding A Stealth Element To Battles
Sneak Up On Trainers To Gain The Advantage
Although sneaking up on Pokémon isn’t a new feature, using stealth for trainer battles certainly is. While playing the mostrecent mainline Pokémon game,Pokémon Scarlet and Violet,players could sneak up on unsuspecting Pokémon to gain the advantage when catching or battling them. Now, it seems that feature has been extended to trainer battles, while also returning another element thatScarlet and Violetdidn’t include.
After Watching Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s New Trailer, I’m Convinced I Know Who The Villains Will Be
Pokémon Legends Z-A’s new trailer gave us more insight into what to expect, and I think it has all but confirmed who the main villains will be.
Unlike previous games,Scarlet and Violetwas one of the few Pokémon games where players could enter the line of sight of a trainer without automatically being pulled into an encounter. This is likely because of theopen-world styleof the game, which would have overcomplicated this feature and led to players being pulled into trainer battles beyond their level.AlthoughLegends Z-Aseems to be adopting theScarlet and Violentsneaking approach, they seem to be reverting from the idea of its casual encounters.
Combining this traditional feature with the new advantage of sneaking up on your opponents to have the upper hand in battle is an interesting choice.
Per the latest trailer,entering the sightlines of a trainer during the Z-A Royale will automatically pull you into battle, as Pokémon have done for the majority of their games. Combining this traditional feature with the new advantage of sneaking up on your opponents to have the upper hand in battle is an interesting choice and sure to makeLegends Z-Abattles feel entirely unlike any Pokémon game that’s come before it.
Nighttime Pokémon Battle Royales May Be Controversial
Too Many Changes May Not Be The Best Approach
While it’s already been revealed thatPokémon Legends Z-Awill have a unique battle system, with players able to engage in real-time combat, it was anticipated that the changes would stop there. Thereal-time battle mechanics inPokémon Legends: Z-Ainclude dodging incoming attacks and dealing with cooldowns, something Pokémon fans will need some time to adjust to.While a Battle Royale is a good opportunity to get more experience, it could also discourage players from participating if they struggle with the changes.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s New Mega Evolutions Includes a Horrifying New Form For Gen 1 Pokemon, Says Leak
Pokemon Legends: Z-A will feature one new Mega Evolution that is coming straight out of your nightmares to terrorize Pokemon and trainers alike.
That being said,Scarlet and Violetoffered numerous ways to level up Pokémon without the need for random trainer battles, and while that did leave it up to the option of players and whether they wanted to engage with them, there was no real reason to seek them out. This led to people like me, who don’t typically enjoy constant NPC battles, avoiding them almost entirely, changing the game’s feel. Typically, NPC trainers are a mandatory encounter to practice battling and ensure your team’s experience is on par with the next gym.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Will Have “27 New Mega Evolutions” Including a Gen 5 Pokémon, According To Leaks
Pokemon Legends: Z-A will allegedly feature 27 new Mega Evolutions, including Excadrill, according to a series of new leaks posted to X earlier today.
Therefore, if you take away one of these factors, then there needs to be something to replace it, and while there’s no way to know ifLegends Z-Awill include some form of EXP candy,Battle Royale at least gives a reason to seek out other trainers beyond just experience. Not only to rise in your rank, but to have a shot at receiving the rumored wish presented to top competitors. It’s still undetermined whether Battle Royale will be a requirement in terms of the overall game, but given the other drastic differences inLegends Z-A, it’s certain to spark some varied opinions.
Only Time Will Tell If Fans Like Legends: Z-A’s Changes To Combat
Perhaps It’s Time Pokémon Shook Things Up
While changes to something as critical as battling in the Pokémon games are nerve-wracking, there’s also something to be said about the fact that they’re willing to experiment with new features. While some of the smallerchanges inPokémon Legends Arceustook some getting used to, and not everyone was generally thrilled about the changes, there was still some credit owed purely to the fact that they tried something with an entirely new feel.
Leaker Claims No New Pokémon Coming In Pokémon Legends: Z-A
A new leak claims that no new Pokémon will be added to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, meaning that players will have to rely on Mega Evolutions for new content
SincePokémon Legends Z-Ais the next entry in thePokémon Legendslineup, it seems only fitting that they would continue to push the boundaries with it as well. If anything,these games serve as the perfect testing ground for new featuresto see whattrends Pokémon playersare more receptive to and which ones the mainline series should steer clear of. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing what other changes have taken place and where this could take Pokémon in the future.
Perhaps we could see an expanded version in the future that would allow players to compete against each other.
If Battle Royale, for example, is well-received, perhaps we could see an expanded version in the future that would allow players to compete against each other in a more traditional Battle Royale rather than tracking down NPCs.Since NPC battles are generally pretty simple, and it’s not expected that these battles will pose too much of a challenge, it would be nice for competitive players to have the opportunity to engage in something that’s more their speed.
Since there are still no details regarding how multiplayer will work in the game and there is no proper release date forPokémon Legends Z-A, it’s likely that these aren’t the only changes we can expect. However, given thatPokémon Legends Z-Ais already looking to be a standout among the franchise, it may be best if the remaining features that have yet to be detailed don’t see any massive overhauls, so players have time to adjust while changes to other aspects of the game can be explored in future entries in theLegendsseries.
Pokemon Legends Z-A
Lumiose City is undergoing redevelopment to create a space shared by people and Pokémon. This second entry in the Pokémon Legends sub-franchise builds off the unique catching and exploration mechanics first established in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
