This year’s Pokémon Day stream brought exciting news about the upcoming title, Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The game is set to launch in late 2025 for the Nintendo Switch and promises to revamp the franchise’s formula.
Z-A takes place in Lumiose City, a dense urban environment where humans and Pokémon coexist. Battles will occur in designated zones, with the option to catch creatures throughout the city. The reveal showcases rooftop battles, utilizing the tall buildings to create vertical combat.
Gameplay mechanics have been overhauled, incorporating stealthy hunting, different attack styles, and a new cooldown system inspired by Xenoblade. Pokémon can also undergo Mega Evolutions, gaining new forms with abilities.
The stream highlights new characters and hints at the game’s plot. The starting lineup of Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile may not excite everyone, but Trubbish is included, a fan favorite.
The success of Palworld, which reached over 30 million players, demonstrates the demand for innovation in Pokémon games. Pokémon Legends: Z-A aims to deliver a fresh experience, building on the innovations introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus and expanding upon them.
With its promising changes and new gameplay mechanics, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is poised to take the franchise forward, potentially marking a significant shift in direction for Game Freak.
Source: https://uk.pcmag.com/nintendo-games/156902/big-changes-to-pokemon-legends-z-a-finally-move-the-franchise-forward