Summary
WithPokemon Legends: Z-Afollowing up on the formula established byPokemon Legends: Arceus, it will be interesting to see how this new game incorporates mechanics from its predecessor. Given thatPokemon Legends: Z-Ais set entirely within Lumiose City, fans have been concerned about the game’s scale potentially being limited compared toPokemon Legends: Arceus, which featured open exploration across several different areas of the Hisui Region. However, ifPokemon Legends: Z-Atakes place entirely within an urban environment, it could make use of a forgotten spin-off mechanic.
Pokemon Legends: Arceuswas a massive step forward for innovative mechanics in the series, giving players their first true action RPG experience in the franchise. The ability to throw Poke Balls and capture critters in real-time, as well as participate in active combat againstNoble Pokemonbosses was the refresh the series needed, andPokemon Legends: Z-Ais in a great position to build upon the momentum of its predecessor. One way it could do so is by revamping the snagging mechanic fromPokemon ColosseumandPokemon XD: Gale of Darknessto fit within Lumiose City’s urban environment.
The Snagging Mechanic from Pokemon Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness Would Be Perfect for Legends: Z-A
Two ofPokemon’s most notable spin-off games on the GameCube,Pokemon ColosseumandPokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, were far more innovative for their time than many players might think. Rather than following the established series formula of traveling from town to town, battling Gym Leaders, and catching new critters along the way, these spin-off titles were much darker in tone and featured no wild Pokemon. Instead, players had to obtain new team members by snagging, or stealing, Shadow Pokemon from enemy trainers in order to purify them.
This mechanic added to the difficulty of the game since players had limited chances to obtain new critters to add to their team, forcing them to play strategically when facing an opponent with aShadow Pokemon. With the wayPokemon Legends: Arceusupped the difficulty of the series by adding action RPG elements, bringing the snagging mechanic back inPokemon Legends: Z-Acould give the game a new yet familiar difficulty curve. The game’s setting within Lumiose City also provides the perfect justification for bringing back this mechanic and iterating upon it in a way that feels like a natural progression for thePokemon Legendsseries.
How Snagging Could Work in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
SincePokemon Legends: Z-Awill take place entirely within Lumiose City, some players are concerned that the game will feel too limited in scope compared to the open zones spread across Hisui inPokemon Legends: Arceus. While series likeGrand Theft AutoandLike a Dragonshow that a sprawling city can make for a great open-world environment, some fans have their concerns as to how this design would translate to aPokemongame. With wild mons potentially being limited in an urban environment,Pokemon Legends: Z-Amight have to get creative with how it allows players to obtain new critters.
Perhaps this title’s gameplay will follow a similar concept to that ofPokemon ColosseumandPokemon XD: Gale of Darknessand require players to snag critters from nefarious trainers or the game’s villains. Given thatPokemon Legends: Z-Awill feature Mega Evolution, it’s possible that the energy that causes this phenomenon to occur might also cause certain creatures to frenzy, like Noble Pokemon inPokemon Legends: Arceus. Rather than subduing them with balms of food, players may need to snag these mons from the trainers who are abusing them and purify their hearts using a similar method featured in those previousPokemonspin-off titles.
