The Pokémon Company has announced Pokémon Legends: ZA for Nintendo Switch, due out in 2025, a sequel to the hugely popular Pokémon Legends Arceus that was released in 2022.
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The sequel was revealed during Pokémon Presents , which also featured a new Pokémon TCG game.
The new game will be set in Lumiose City, which fans will recognize from the Kalos of Pokémon X and Y. Pokémon X and Y were released a little over 10 years ago on the Nintendo 3DS and were the first fully 3D Pokemon games that have garnered a devoted fan base in recent years.
2025's Pokémon Legends: ZA will attempt to build on the success of Pokémon: Legends Arceus, which introduced a true open world to Pokémon, along with new mechanics for catching a Pokémon.
Despite this, Pokémon Legends: Arceus was a huge success, selling approximately 6.5 million copies in its first week of release. It was named one of the 10 best games , noting that it places more emphasis on collecting than on battling.
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Aside from the Kalos location and the appearance that seems to include the return of Mega Evolutions, little else is known about Pokémon Legends: ZA. The trailer featured some stylized sketches and wireframe videos, as well as the familiar Mega Evolution symbol from X and Y.
The official description reads: “Pokémon Legends: ZA, an ambitious new entry in the Pokémon game series, will be released on systems in 2025! A new adventure awaits within Lumiose City, where a city development plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both humans and Pokémon.”
One interesting aspect may be the trailer's stylistic representation. While Pokémon Legends: Arceus captured the aesthetic of ancient Japan, the trailer for Pokemon Legends: ZA feels deliberately futuristic. Specifically, a tweet from Nintendo of America states that the new adventure takes place entirely within Lumiose City, suggesting that the wide-open grasslands of Arceus will give way to a more urban setting this time around.
One way or another, 2025 looks like it's going to be a busy year, as Pokémon Legends looks set to join a year packed with GTA VI and other heavyweight games.
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The response from the community to Pokémon Legends has been generally positive. Players appreciate the game's innovative approach, which is a departure from the typical Pokémon game formula. Additionally, players are excited about the greater freedom the game offers, allowing them to explore larger environments and engage in more strategic battles. The general response is that Pokémon Legends is a welcome addition to the series, offering a new and different experience for players.
Source: ign
