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72
MONSTER
A new adventure awaits within Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon. Please look forward to seeing it for yourself.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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79
Pokémon Legends: Z-A garners positive reviews for its engaging story and character development, set against the vibrant backdrop of Illumina City. Critics praise its emotional depth and exploration of themes like legacy and coexistence. However, it suffers from pacing issues, repetitive plotlines, and a lack of voice acting, which dampens emotional resonance. While it appeals to both newcomers and veterans, many feel it lacks the depth of past entries, leaving room for improvement in narrative execution.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
79
Positive Reviews (80-100)
57%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
36%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
7%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Pokémon Legends: Z-A garners positive reviews for its engaging story and character development, set against the vibrant backdrop of Illumina City. Critics praise its emotional depth and exploration of themes like legacy and coexistence. However, it suffers from pacing issues, repetitive plotlines, and a lack of voice acting, which dampens emotional resonance. While it appeals to both newcomers and veterans, many feel it lacks the depth of past entries, leaving room for improvement in narrative execution.
Gameplay Mechanics
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87
Pokémon Legends: Z-A has impressed critics with its innovative real-time battle system and enhanced exploration, making for a more engaging gameplay experience. While praised for its strategic depth and dynamic mechanics, some reviewers noted repetitive gameplay and low challenge levels as drawbacks. Overall, it’s seen as a significant step forward for the franchise, blending fresh ideas with classic Pokémon elements, despite its flaws.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
87
Positive Reviews (80-100)
76%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
24%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Pokémon Legends: Z-A has impressed critics with its innovative real-time battle system and enhanced exploration, making for a more engaging gameplay experience. While praised for its strategic depth and dynamic mechanics, some reviewers noted repetitive gameplay and low challenge levels as drawbacks. Overall, it’s seen as a significant step forward for the franchise, blending fresh ideas with classic Pokémon elements, despite its flaws.
Graphics and Visual Design
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69
Pokemon Legends: Z-A boasts vibrant visuals and smooth animations, especially in Lumiose City, earning praise for its lively atmosphere and 60fps performance. However, widespread criticism highlights flat textures, blurry shadows, and a low-budget feel that undermine its potential. While the game shows promise, it ultimately falls short of the high standards expected from a major franchise, leaving critics feeling it's a missed opportunity for the Switch 2.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
69
Positive Reviews (80-100)
24%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
59%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
17%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Pokemon Legends: Z-A boasts vibrant visuals and smooth animations, especially in Lumiose City, earning praise for its lively atmosphere and 60fps performance. However, widespread criticism highlights flat textures, blurry shadows, and a low-budget feel that undermine its potential. While the game shows promise, it ultimately falls short of the high standards expected from a major franchise, leaving critics feeling it's a missed opportunity for the Switch 2.
Music and Sound Design
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72
Pokemon Legends: Z-A shines with a praised, dynamic soundtrack—hailed as the series' best by some critics—enhancing its immersive experience. However, the absence of voice acting is a significant flaw that hampers emotional engagement and narrative depth, leaving many moments feeling flat. Overall, while the music is a high point, the lack of vocal performances creates a mixed reception for the game.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
72
Positive Reviews (80-100)
33%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
60%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
7%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Pokemon Legends: Z-A shines with a praised, dynamic soundtrack—hailed as the series' best by some critics—enhancing its immersive experience. However, the absence of voice acting is a significant flaw that hampers emotional engagement and narrative depth, leaving many moments feeling flat. Overall, while the music is a high point, the lack of vocal performances creates a mixed reception for the game.
Voice Acting
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42
Critics largely slam "Pokemon Legends: Z-A" for its lack of voice acting, calling it a major flaw that cripples emotional depth and narrative immersion. While some praise the quality of the writing, the consensus is clear: the absence of vocal performances is a missed opportunity that leaves the game feeling incomplete and jarring. Future titles need to address this critical shortcoming.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
42
Positive Reviews (80-100)
0%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
10%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
90%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Critics largely slam "Pokemon Legends: Z-A" for its lack of voice acting, calling it a major flaw that cripples emotional depth and narrative immersion. While some praise the quality of the writing, the consensus is clear: the absence of vocal performances is a missed opportunity that leaves the game feeling incomplete and jarring. Future titles need to address this critical shortcoming.
Technical Performance
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80
Pokémon Legends: Z-A faces mixed reviews on the Nintendo Switch due to performance issues like frame drops and visual glitches, particularly in handheld mode. Critics note a significant improvement on the upgraded Switch 2, with smoother gameplay and a solid 60fps, though minor bugs persist. While the Switch 2 version is praised for its technical execution, the original Switch struggles with stability, highlighting a clear divide in performance across platforms.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
80
Positive Reviews (80-100)
52%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
44%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
4%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Pokémon Legends: Z-A faces mixed reviews on the Nintendo Switch due to performance issues like frame drops and visual glitches, particularly in handheld mode. Critics note a significant improvement on the upgraded Switch 2, with smoother gameplay and a solid 60fps, though minor bugs persist. While the Switch 2 version is praised for its technical execution, the original Switch struggles with stability, highlighting a clear divide in performance across platforms.
Replay Value
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73
Pokemon Legends: Z-A garners mixed reviews on replay value. Critics praise its expansive side missions, multiplayer mode, and dynamic combat for encouraging exploration and return play. However, concerns about repetitive gameplay and a lack of innovation raise doubts about long-term engagement. While it appeals to completionists, the potential for fatigue suggests players should temper expectations on replayability.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
33%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
63%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
4%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Pokemon Legends: Z-A garners mixed reviews on replay value. Critics praise its expansive side missions, multiplayer mode, and dynamic combat for encouraging exploration and return play. However, concerns about repetitive gameplay and a lack of innovation raise doubts about long-term engagement. While it appeals to completionists, the potential for fatigue suggests players should temper expectations on replayability.
Overall Verdict
72
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
72
Positive Reviews (80-100)
56%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
41%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Pokémon Legends: Z-A receives mostly positive reviews for its innovative gameplay and fresh take on the franchise, with critics praising its visuals, story, and new combat mechanics. However, it faces criticism for technical issues, repetitive gameplay, and limited exploration. While some feel it doesn't significantly innovate over its predecessor, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, many agree it marks a bold evolution for the series, blending nostalgia with modern elements and setting a promising foundation for future titles.
72
MONSTER
Reviews
128 reviews found100
TheSixthAxis
Oct 14, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Overall, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a fresh take on the franchise with engaging gameplay, a rich story, and a vibrant city to explore, making it a worthwhile experience for fans.
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90
RPG Site
Oct 14, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Pokemon Legends: Z-A is praised for its experimental approach and successful execution, marking a positive evolution in the series. It offers a fresh take on the Pokemon formula and is seen as a validation of Gamefreak's willingness to innovate.
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80
IGN Brasil
Oct 17, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Pokémon Legends: Z-A sets a new standard for the series, blending anime identity with engaging gameplay, despite some persistent flaws.
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80
VG247
Oct 14, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is an enjoyable game that successfully revives Mega Evolution and offers a fresh take on Pokémon battles, but is held back by technical flaws and graphics issues.
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78
COGconnected
Oct 14, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces modernizations but is hindered by a small world and repetitive gameplay, making it less impressive compared to other Pokémon titles.
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