Game news Pokémon surprised everyone with the announcement of this new game: a masterstroke on all levels
It was on the 28th anniversary of the release of Pokémon Red and Blue in Japan that a new video game in the franchise was announced. An announcement that turns rumors and logic on their head. And that’s very good.
It was on February 27 that Pokémon celebrated its 28th anniversary. Like every year, the Pokémon Company blows out its candles with a Pokémon Presents: a digital event during which it discusses its video game future. This meeting is eagerly awaited by players because, until proven otherwise, it is during these Pokémon Presents that the new Pokémon games are announced. A tradition perpetuated by the latest edition with the presentation to the whole world of the Pokémon Legends ZA game. A surprise announcement that is excellent on several levels.
No fifth generation on the program: surprise triumphs over logic
In recent years, we cannot say that The Pokémon Company has been innovative. When it comes to its video games, the company even did what was expected of it: a remake of the fourth generation with Sparkling Diamond / Sparkling Pearl; large areas to explore with the Nintendo Switch and of course the introduction of a new generation of Pokémon through an open world. Amusingly, to which we will return, only Pokémon Legends: Arceus was the only surprise offered by Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures.
Ahead of Pokémon Presents 2024, it was hard not to expect the potential presentation of remastered versions of the fifth generation titles. It wouldn’t have shocked anyone to see, again, the ILCA studio (also behind One Piece Odyssey), behind new episodes. They would probably have been titled Pokémon Black Onyx version and Pokémon White Tungsten version, just to mark their new graphic qualities.
Furthermore, certain persistent rumors had ended up taking root among the players. Among them, that the second generation of Pokémon (Gold and Silver) was going to be in the spotlight. Whether in the form of a new Let’s Go episode, a Pokémon Legends around Celebi or even an open world remake of the first games, there was something for everyone.
The Pokémon Company has decided to ignore all that. By announcing Pokémon Legends: ZA, she surprised everyone. And that’s good ! By not following the path of logic and by offering a new opus, it generates interest. Favoring the path of the unknown over that of habit also allows it to attract a wider range of players.. As a new episode, Pokémon Legends: ZA appeals to those disinterested in reissues (even modern ones) of Pokémon while catching the eyes of an initiated public. Everyone discusses the game, which has yet to show its strengths very little, which provokes emulation. Enough to build enthusiasm (and hype) around.
Pokémon Legends ZA: fans caressed in the right direction
Pokémon Legends: ZA surprises. It is therefore through the novelty that it suggests that it seduces. However, it is with déjà vu that he manages to put Pokémon players in his pocket (and me first!). In 2025, players will travel to Ilumis: it is the sixth generation city (Pokémon X / Y) clearly inspired by Paris. With that alone, it’s hard not to interest players. For decades, the French capital has been one of the most popular destinations in the world and in 2023 was the most visited city in the world according to CNN.
Furthermore, it is the image shown at the end of the trailer which is also attractive since it illustrates the logo of the mega-evolution. A mechanic appreciated by players which allows certain Pokémon to evolve once again in battle. Charizard, Mewtwo, Scizor… It is this mechanic (appearing with X / Y) which gave a whole new dimension to strategic battles while deconstructing the image of already known Pokémon. Since then, the episodes that followed have tried to take up this mechanic with small changes. We didn’t do any better than the original even if we must admit that the tera-crystallization that appeared with Écarlate/Violet did quite well.
Finally, Pokémon Legends first of the name remains a nice surprise. If some cannot get past the technical pitfalls of the title, others have emphasized that they prefer the gameplay it displays. A more action-oriented way of playing where filling the Pokédex involves in-depth study of pocket monsters. We must then put them in several different situations to have a complete description.
The ambiguity on the title technique
This surprise announcement of Pokémon Legends: ZA also fuels speculation. Through several tweets, we know that it will only take place in the city of Illumis. We also know that the story should take place after the events of X and Y: evidenced by the differences between the map highlighted in the trailer and that of the game released on Nintendo 3DS. A megalopolisation project which suggests a futuristic, very dense city, “allowing residents and Pokémon to coexist”. Through its tweets, Pokémon even indicates that it will be an “ambitious” episode
LegendsPokemonZA, an ambitious new opus in the Pokémon video game series, will be released on Nintendo Switch consoles in 2025!
As said previously, such a title displays the ambition of a certain technical requirement. Nintendo, Pokémon and each of their subsidiaries highlighted the game trailer with this term “ambitious”. But besides this chosen adjective, it is obviously the mention “Nintendo Switch consoles” which is getting people talking about it. A sentence subject to several interpretations. Nintendo Switch consoles can be mentioned in different models: the standard one, the one with OLED screen, or even the Nintendo Switch Light. It can also be Switch consoles in general, those around the world.
But obviously, that’s not what the players are thinking about. It is the new Nintendo console, which the latest rumors point to release around the first quarter of 2025. It is then difficult to get out of our heads that Pokémon Legends: Arceus was released on January 28, 2022. A similar release would then have the advantage of offering the game both on Nintendo Switch and on the more modern console. Which would also explain the wording “on Nintendo Switch consoles”. In any case, it is difficult (if not impossible) to believe in an error. The Pokémon Company and its parent companies know very well what they are doing and are playing on this ambiguity.
For the moment therefore, many questions are emerging following the announcement of Pokémon Legends: ZA. There is the one on the script context; that on the starters offered at the start of the game; or the technical power displayed by the title. Multiple questions which undoubtedly bring out an observation. By moving away from logic, The Pokémon Company surprises players…and above all renews their desire to be interested in the games in the license.