Pokémon Legends: Z-A Reviews – A New Benchmark for Pokémon on Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Reviews – Critical Reception Highlights Game Freak’s Ambitious Pokémon Adventure on Nintendo Switch Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the highly anticipated follow-up to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, has received its first wave of reviews from major gaming publications.

Released for the Nintendo Switch, this latest title from Game Freak reimagines the series formula with a renewed focus on urban exploration and real-time battles, drawing players into the heart of Lumiose City—one of Pokémon’s most iconic urban settings. As of the publication date, Pokémon Legends: Z-A holds a Metascore of 81 on Metacritic, indicating a generally positive reception from critics.

However, individual review scores vary, with some outlets calling it the best Pokémon game in years, while others highlight areas where it feels familiar or could improve.

This diversity of opinion showcases the unique expectations fans and critics alike bring to such a storied franchise. The Sixth Axis delivered high praise for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, commending its compelling gameplay and immersive world.

The review stated that, compared to recent entries like Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Legends: Z-A successfully captures players’ attention and elevates the experience of city life within the Pokémon universe.

The reviewer described the game as the standout title in the modern Pokémon lineup, envisioning hundreds of engaging hours spent completing the Pokédex and engaging in shiny hunting adventures. Siliconera echoed this positive sentiment, awarding the game a 9 out of 10.

Their coverage highlights how Legends: Z-A builds on the spirit of Arceus while innovating with real-time combat and robust world-building.

While the review noted a missed opportunity for greater biome variety, it praised the game’s ambiance and character-driven narrative, emphasizing the authentic, lived-in feel of Lumiose City.

After more than 35 hours of gameplay, Siliconera’s reviewer expressed strong satisfaction with the experience. GamesRadar+ rated Pokémon Legends: Z-A 4 out of 5, emphasizing the depth of activities and secrets packed into Lumiose City.

The review acknowledged that the single-city setting might occasionally feel repetitive but commended the game for its slice-of-life qualities and engaging real-time battle system.

According to GamesRadar+, this iteration is a world that invites exploration and rewards curiosity. Some critics remained more reserved.

Metro, rating the game 3.5 out of 5, described Legends: Z-A as the most ambitious of the 3D Pokémon games, with an inventive and effective real-time combat system.

However, the review pointed out the series’ ongoing technical limitations and called attention to areas of potential improvement in Lumiose City’s design. Eurogamer offered a balanced perspective with a 3 out of 5 score, recognizing the game’s tighter focus and lighthearted tone.

The review considered Pokémon Legends: Z-A a marked improvement on recent titles—at least by contemporary franchise standards. Pokémon Legends: Z-A cements Game Freak’s reputation for innovation within the established framework of the Pokémon series on Nintendo Switch.

The game’s blend of Mega Evolution, an urban open-world setting, and real-time combat has resonated with fans, even as critics point out areas where more variety could enhance the experience.

With its strong initial reviews and robust gameplay, Pokémon Legends: Z-A stands as one of the major releases of the year, further solidifying Nintendo and Game Freak’s legacy in the world of role-playing adventures.

Pokémon Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Pokémon Legends: Z-A Game Freak Z Pokémon Legends Legends: Z-A Pokémon Legends Z-A Lumiose City Legends Arceus Metacritic The Sixth Axis Siliconera GamesRadar+ Metro Eurogamer