Why I’m Skipping Pokémon Legends Z-A After 600 Hours of Play

The world of Pokémon has significantly influenced my life, encompassing trading card games, anime, and numerous video games. I vividly recall my brother receiving a Game Boy Advance SP as a birthday gift and witnessing him engrossed in FireRed for hours at a stretch, sparking in me the desire to experience it myself one day. A memorable moment was when my grandmother unexpectedly presented me with Pokémon Black for the DS, despite being unaware of its concept. Still, she understood its importance to me. I can’t forget those late nights hidden under the blanket, immersed in Pokémon, hoping my parents wouldn’t discover me.

It’s clear that I’m not unique in my affection for Pokémon, but what I find unfortunate is that I’m also far from exceptional in my waning enthusiasm for the franchise. While Pokémon played a significant role in shaping my early life and I’m thankful for that experience, it would be dishonest to claim it holds the same significance for me now. Instead of unreservedly loving anything related to it, I find myself constantly analyzing its flaws, hoping future Pokémon games will revitalize the series. And so, my confusion and understanding are both piqued by my decision to pass on Pokémon Legends Z-A.

I Love The Pokémon Games

I Have Since I Was A Child

Though not as deeply immersed into the world of Pokemon as many others, I’ve always harbored a genuine affection for the series. As a child, I would tune in to catch episodes on TV before school, or, during the era when recording live TV was possible, I’d delve into my collection of various episodes from diverse seasons and storylines, still finding it incredibly engaging. I even religiously watched three Pokemon movies entirely in French without subtitles.

In terms of games, I’d dive into every major release and top-notch spin-offs of Pokémon, particularly the Mystery Dungeon series on the Game Boy. My siblings and I would often engage in fierce battles against each other; my sister and I even made several attempts to conquer the Battle Subway in Pokémon Black and White. Additionally, I’d frequently find solace from tough times by losing myself in levels of grinding in Pokémon or hunting for the rare Garchomp. Regardless of how challenging life becomes, much like Doctor Who, my affection for Pokémon remains unwavering.

Over time, it seems like the quality of Pokémon has been declining significantly. It’s not just about the disappointing releases like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet or the underwhelming Sword and Shield before them. Instead, Pokémon appears to be stuck in the past, struggling to evolve and adapt. Going back to Pokémon now can feel more like a task than an enjoyable experience, especially when there are numerous excellent indie games available that manage to preserve the essence of the original games while introducing innovative elements that keep players engaged.

Pokémon Legends Z-A Is Changing Too Much

It Doesn’t Feel Like Pokémon Anymore

Instead of being hypocritical by skipping “Pokémon Legends Z-A” because it alters the series’ fundamental structure too much, and yet here we are, let me rephrase that:

I find myself in a contradictory position, as I have been advocating for “Pokémon” to adopt elements from RPGs like “Xenoblade Chronicles” or to enhance its storytelling to be more like traditional JRPGs. However, what I truly desire is for Pokémon to evolve and break free from the limitations it has been bound by for so long. Yet, when it comes to experiencing these changes firsthand, I seem to prefer it to focus on improving what it’s already established.

As a dedicated gamer, I must admit that Pokémon might seem outdated in certain aspects, but there’s something about its consistent formula that transcends beyond nostalgia and into a realm of comfort. It’s like Ubisoft games serving as the perfect popcorn movies – always familiar, reliable, and predictable in a charming way. There’s a unique allure to this consistency, a function and purpose that mirrors the comforting security provided by other games. However, the numerous changes in Pokémon Legends: Z-A risk stripping away that familiarity, instead of enhancing it.

The games, similar to Nintendo’s approach with Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, expanded upon their predecessors by adding new mechanics. While this enhanced certain elements, it also complicated others, potentially detracting from the overall experience that fans love. Instead of improving the gameplay loop cherished in these series, they altered it. This approach can be successful at times, but in these instances, I feel it fell short.

In this current period, Nintendo seems to be heavily emphasizing mechanics over other aspects, as demonstrated by games like Mario Kart World with its skill-based tricks that some fans find off-putting. The recent TOTK and New Horizons also introduced numerous gameplay mechanics instead of focusing on exploration and atmosphere, much like BOTW did. However, the crafting focus and innovations in New Horizons have taken away from the communicative aspects that originally made the series unique. I’m concerned that the changes in Legends Z-A might similarly compromise the core Pokémon experience.

Pokémon Legends Z-A Could Still Be Incredible

It Has A Lot Of Potential To Change Pokémon For The Better

Indeed, the alterations that Pokémon Legends Z-A is introducing might indeed prove beneficial. Despite my reservations about how its setting seems to be underutilized and it appears to be missing essential features that Pokémon should have incorporated years ago, there’s a significant amount of potential in what’s been unveiled thus far. From the enticing Battle Royale mode to its singular city location which could pave the way for an in-depth exploration of themes yet unexplored by the series, there are numerous innovative concepts in Pokémon Legends Z-A that I wholeheartedly think could bring about significant changes.

The combat adjustments in Pokémon Legends Z-A are extensive and substantial, potentially the most transformative change the series has ever seen, and may significantly impact how Game Freak designs combat for future games, similar to the way Legends Arceus changed player interaction with the open world. Although I’m open to the possibility of Pokémon Legends Z-A altering the gameplay dynamics, I believe it will be the most contentious feature, especially if it doesn’t measure up to Nintendo’s other popular in-house title, Xenoblade Chronicles, which appears to be serving as a blueprint for combat mechanics in Z-A.

In addition, I notice that there’s a considerable amount of expectation for the success of Legends Z-A, given the significant backlash against Pokémon Scarlet and Violet despite their high sales figures. I have concerns that instead of refining the original formula, such as by making the game more cinematic, incorporating voice acting, expanding the variety of Pokémon, and enhancing the visual complexity of turn-based battles while removing elements that have made the series overly simplistic, Legends Z-A may simply be altering it in an attempt to distance itself from the series’ past errors.

Despite my reluctance to admit it, I feel compelled to pass on playing Pokémon Legends Z-A, given the shift in its identity, the impersonal approach to innovation, the controversial elements, and the escalating stress. I’m interested to observe how this game’s outcome might influence the series as a whole. Of course, just as with the previously mentioned Doctor Who, the aspects I loved remain intact, ready for me whenever I choose to revisit. Perhaps one day, I might pick up Pokémon Legends Z-A and discover that my initial impressions were entirely off base.

2025-05-19 03:51