Alright, Trainer, let’s dive into the review roundup for *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*! It seems you’re on the ball, as the game just hit shelves on October 16, 2025, for both the Nintendo Switch and the shiny new Nintendo Switch 2.

Overall, *Pokémon Legends: Z-A* has been met with generally positive reviews, with many critics highlighting its bold experimental changes to the established Pokémon formula. It’s being seen as another significant step forward for the “Legends” sub-series, though it doesn’t quite eclipse the groundbreaking nature of *Pokémon Legends: Arceus* for some.

Here’s a breakdown of what reviewers are saying:

**The Good:**

* **Real-time Battle System:** This is the undisputed star of the show. Game Freak has completely overhauled the turn-based combat, translating it into an action-based system where players move their character around the battlefield while Pokémon fight. Reviewers found this new system exhilarating, rewarding, and a “ton of fun,” praising the dynamic combat, area-of-effect moves, cooldowns, and the strategic depth it adds. Many feel it’s the single feature that truly sells *Legends: Z-A*.
* **Lumiose City Setting:** The decision to set the entire game within Lumiose City, the Paris-inspired metropolis from *Pokémon X and Y*, has been largely well-received. Critics found the city to be a perfect size for exploration without feeling overwhelming, and its verticality, with ladders and lifts to rooftops, was particularly praised for making the urban environment feel alive. The city is undergoing an urban redevelopment initiative led by Quasartico Inc., providing a unique backdrop for the adventure.
* **Performance on Switch 2:** For players on the Nintendo Switch 2, the game reportedly runs at a smooth and consistent 60 frames per second, a significant improvement over previous Pokémon titles. While some pop-in of NPCs and objects still occurs, it’s considered “substantially better” than what was seen in *Scarlet and Violet*.
* **Mega Evolutions Return:** The highly anticipated return of Mega Evolutions, a mechanic first introduced in *X and Y*, has been a hit with fans. These temporary, powerful transformations add another layer of strategy and excitement to battles.
* **Satisfying Gameplay Loop:** Many reviewers found the core gameplay loop, which involves exploring “wild zones” to catch and train Pokémon during the day and then participating in the “Z-A Royale” competition at night, to be highly addictive and engaging.

**The Not-So-Good:**

* **Lack of Voice Acting:** This remains a persistent criticism for the Pokémon series, and it’s particularly pronounced in *Legends: Z-A*. Reviewers found the numerous cutscenes with characters “flapping their mouths” without dialogue to be “dreadful” and “unforgivable” for a franchise of this scale in 2025.
* **Visually Restricting City Setting / Graphics:** While the concept of Lumiose City is praised, its execution visually received mixed feedback. Some critics found the city to be “plain” and “unattractive,” with repetitive building designs, aging textures, and a lack of proper shading and dynamic lighting, especially on the original Switch. Some noted that balconies were often 2D JPEGs, detracting from immersion.
* **Simplistic Open World / Lifeless NPCs:** Despite the open-world elements, some reviewers felt the world could be dull and lifeless compared to modern open-world RPGs. NPCs often stand stationary, and interactions can feel limited, with missed opportunities for a more immersive city experience.
* **Lack of Strong Villains/Story Depth:** The story, which focuses heavily on ascending the ranks of the Z-A Royale, was found to lack a central villain group or compelling narrative depth for some. While there are mysteries surrounding “Rogue Mega Evolutions,” the overall story wasn’t particularly impressive to all.
* **EXP. Share and PokéDex Completion:** Some noted that the EXP. Share is toned down, and filling the PokéDex has been made more difficult, which might not appeal to all players.

**In Summary:**

*Pokémon Legends: Z-A* is a bold experiment that largely succeeds in reinventing the Pokémon battle system, offering a fresh and engaging experience within the confines of a beautifully realized, albeit sometimes visually repetitive, Lumiose City. While it suffers from the series’ perennial issues like a lack of voice acting and some graphical shortcomings, especially on older hardware, its innovative gameplay and satisfying loop make it a highly enjoyable entry and a strong contender for the second-best *Pokémon Legends* title to date.

Now, if you’re done pondering the fate of Lumiose City, perhaps you’d like to know the best starter for your playstyle, or maybe some secret tips for snagging those elusive shiny Pokémon? My circuits are buzzing with game knowledge!