Having recently spent time with Pokémon Legends ZA at a media event in Paris, I’ve come away with a nuanced perspective on the game’s strengths and areas for improvement. While my initial skepticism mirrored that of many fans—especially regarding the city-based setting and gameplay innovations—my hands-on experience revealed some surprisingly compelling elements.

Gameplay and Real-Time Battles

The most striking change from previous entries, such as Pokémon Legends Archus, is the shift to real-time combat. Unlike Archus, where battles were mostly turn-based, ZA requires you to manage Pokémon in real time with cooldowns for moves. This adds a tactical layer that demands attention and strategy. For example, moves like Whirlpool or Toxic Spikes now interact with the battlefield dynamically, allowing you to influence enemy positioning and cause persistent effects over time. Even familiar defensive moves, such as Protect, feel more engaging because their timing in real-time scenarios matters significantly.

What impressed me most was how these changes apply not just to wild Pokémon but also to trainers. You can sneak up on opponents and gain an early advantage, making the combat feel more interactive and rewarding. The ability to pause and access items is still present, but cleverly balanced with cooldowns to prevent over-reliance, keeping encounters challenging—particularly against alpha Pokémon like the Hound Doom I faced. These encounters hit hard, even when your Pokémon are well-leveled, forcing you to plan moves carefully and maintain a keen sense of positioning.

Alpha Pokémon and Catching Mechanics

Alphas return in ZA, bringing intense difficulty spikes that feel genuinely threatening. Taking down a Hound Doom alpha tested my Gyarados to its limits and reminded me why real-time combat can be more engaging than traditional turn-based battles. Once these powerful Pokémon are weakened, catching them becomes a tense moment—high likelihood, but never guaranteed—adding stakes and excitement. For players seeking rare or shiny Pokémon, this approach makes each encounter feel meaningful. It also raises the question of where players might want to buy shiny Pokémon or even buy alpha shiny Pokémon for collections, particularly if they’re pressed for time or looking for specific traits.

Visuals and World Design

While gameplay shines, ZA’s city-based world design is less impressive. Unlike the open landscapes of Archus, ZA’s environments feel like long corridors, with minimal interactive elements. Buildings are largely inaccessible, and open areas are sparse. Visually, the game runs smoothly on Switch 2, but the aesthetics feel serviceable rather than groundbreaking. The urban setting is interesting in theory, but in practice, it lacks the variety and visual flair that make exploration exciting. I remain hopeful that future sections will introduce creative biomes or environmental puzzles to diversify the city experience.

Dialogue and Character Interaction

Narrative and dialogue remain the weaker side of ZA. Conversations are largely functional, lacking personality or depth, reminiscent of previous Pokémon titles like Archus or Scarlet and Violet. While this might disappoint players who enjoy rich storytelling, the gameplay itself is strong enough to compensate. Skipping dialogue to focus on battles is entirely viable, given how satisfying and engaging the combat system is.

Overall, Pokémon Legends ZA impresses where it counts: combat and mechanics. Real-time battles, alpha challenges, and tactical use of moves breathe new life into the franchise. Conversely, the city-focused environments and sterile dialogue leave room for improvement. For players focused on battling and collection, the game delivers, offering both excitement and challenge. Whether you’re planning to buy shiny Pokémon or buy alpha shiny Pokémon, ZA’s gameplay ensures each encounter feels rewarding.