Despite the fact thatPokémon Legends: Z-Ais clearly being built up to be an incredible new entry in thePokémonfranchise, its actual title does not seem entirely fitting. Although there is little known aboutLegends: Z-Aat present, its basic premise and some of its more prominent features are already understood. However, for the game’s title to truly suit it, one key element will need to be handled correctly.
Among the variousdetails revealed forPokémon Legends: Z-A, the precise meaning of “Z-A” was not expanded upon, leaving whatever significance it may have a mystery for the time being. However, it is still clear that the game is intended to follow in the footsteps ofPokémon Legends: Arceus, despite the two games having dramatically different settings. Of course, the two games do share some clear traits thatdistinguishLegendstitles from otherPokémongamesregardless of their differences, but this alone is not enough to make the upcoming game feel like a true successor toLegends: Arceus.
A Modern Setting Contradicts Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Title
There Is Little That Can Be Considered Legendary About Lumiose City
The problem withPokémon Legends: Z-Abeing set in the modernPokémonworld is thatthe word “Legends” feels incongruousas a result. In contrast toLegends: Arceus, which is set in the ancient region of Hisui, the fully modern Lumiose City has little to connect it to the concept of a legend taking place. Of course,Zygarde will be present inLegends: Z-Aas the game’s foremost (and possibly only) Legendary Pokémon, but this alone does not distinguishLegends: Z-Afrom any other majorPokémongame.
The idea of a legend automatically invokes an idea of the distant past, but so far there is nothing to suggest thatLegends: Z-Awill have a strong historical aspect to its story. Instead, the details released so far indicate that the protagonist will be occupied with solving very modern problems that come up in relation to Lumiose City’s redevelopment. Naturally, there is still a possibility that these problems may themselves have roots in the past somehow, but even so the game must do something more to justify it being marketed as a legend in its own right.
AZ Will Be Crucial In Giving Z-A A Legendary Atmosphere
His Backstory Is Deeply Tied To Kalos' Ancient History
However, there is one NPC that has the potential to resolve this conflict.AZ is the ancient and immortal former king of Kalos, although it seems he has long since abandoned any semblance of political power within the region. After being reunited with his beloved Floette at the end ofPokémon X and Y, the pair have now set up Hotel Z within Lumiose City, a place which then becomesLegends: Z-A’s protagonist’s base of operations. AZ is the perfect character to introduce a legendary quality into the nextPokémongame, ashe is effectively a living legend himself.
The fact that “Z-A” is the reverse spelling of “AZ” does imply that he may have his own prominent role to play in the game’s plot, although without official confirmation this is only speculation at present.
AZ’s immortality and background make him the perfect focal point of any historical events thatLegends: Z-Awill explore, thanks in no small part to his already key role within the region’s history. AZ was responsible for building and using the ultimate weapon that decimated countless lives, including the many Pokémon whose lifeforce was used as its fuel. WhetherLegends: Z-Aplaces a focus on that event and the war that surrounded it, or chooses to introduce an entirely new chapter of Kalos' history,AZ will be able to give a first-hand account of the events of the distant past.
Kalos’ Ancient King Offers A Unique Perspective On Lumiose City
AZ Will Be Able To Highlight Just How Far Kalos Has Come Since His Reign
It is also worth noting thatAZ will be able to provide a perspective on the modern day unlike any other NPC. Being an immortal whose origins are so thoroughly rooted in conflict, it will be very interesting to see his reactions to the current Lumiose City and its ongoing redevelopment in search of harmony between people and Pokémon. Likewise, AZ’s thoughts on the use ofMega Evolution inPokémon Legends: Z-Acould prove equally intriguing, given that his use of the Ultimate Weapon is one of the theorized origins for Mega Stones.
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How exactlyLegends: Z-Atreats AZ and works to justify its title will be crucial in not only defining itself, but also shape how anyfuturePokémon Legendsgamewould approach its own story under the same title. It is worth noting that AZ will not necessarily be similarly available for other potentialPokémon Legendstitles. As such,Legends: Z-Awould still do well to at least include some external sources for any legends it explores, such as ancient texts, murals or the like, even if only for AZ to comment on them in this instance.
Currently, there is little evidence of actual “legends” inLegends: Z-A, but the game’s use of AZ could do plenty to close this game. Of course, this does rely on AZ’s past being used as more than a point of curiosity, but that in itself is far from being impossible. Combined with some other supplementary ties to suitably legendary themes, presumably including Zygarde itself, andPokémon Legends: Z-Ashould be more than capable of earning its name in full.
