It is clear thatPokémon Legends: Z-Awill be a landmark game for the franchise in several ways, but it could also establish an exciting new trend for future titles. It will be very interesting to see howLegends: Z-Awill influence the franchise as a whole with its own approach to even fundamental aspects of the franchise. Notably, at least one such design decision would have an immense effect on futureLegendstitles if it is carried forward.
Asdifferent asPokémon Legendsgames arein comparison to other core titles in the franchise, there is no denying that they remain strongly tied to its overall direction. Features introduced inPokémon Legends: Arceuswere included inPokémon Scarlet and Violet, and its successor will likely have a similar influence on theGeneration 10Pokémongames' own gameplay. More importantly, even with only the broadest strokes known aboutLegends: Z-A’s gameplay, there is one detail that should affect not only the direction of Gen 10, but likely many future Generations as well.
Legends: Z-A’s Use Of Mega Evolution Is A Welcome Return
The Popular Mechanic Has Not Been Used In The Core Games For A Long Time
In many ways, the revival ofMega Evolution inLegends: Z-Ais simply a natural course of action for the game. After all, any game set in Kalos would inevitably bring up the question of how it will handle the region’s signature battle gimmick. It would be far stranger if a new Kalos-basedPokémongame did not feature the mechanic to some extent. Nevertheless, asMega Evolution will have been absent from the core games for around seven years by the timeLegends: Z-Areaches shelves, it is still a welcome sight for those who are fans of the mechanic.
Of course,Legends: Z-Awill most likely not only retread old ground, but build upon previous depictions of Mega Evolution with its own additions. In addition to thoseMega Evolutions already confirmed forLegends: Z-A, it would be far from surprising for the game to also introduce a number of brand-new Mega Evolution forms. Naturally, the most obvious candidates for this will be the evolved forms of the game’s starter Pokémon, but any number of other species could likewise enjoy the same treatment.
Future Pokémon Legends Games Should Revive Other Gimmicks
Legends Games Provide The Perfect Opportunity For These Mechanics To Be Explored Once More
AsPokémon Legendstitles continue to revisit previous regions, then they should arguably also follow inLegends: Z-A’s footsteps and revive other major battle gimmickslike Z-Moves and Dynamaxing. These features will soon be absent for longer in the core games than Mega Evolution itself has been, despite being as equally as worthy of being revisited. It can be very frustrating for these gimmicks to effectively define a Generation (with the exception of Mega Evolution, which was prominent in both Gen 6 and 7) before then effectively being abandoned by the franchise in favor of a new concept.
There’s Only One Way For Pokémon Legends: Z-A To Earn Its Title
The premise of Pokémon Legends: Z-A does not quite fit its title, but careful handling of one in-game element will still be able to resolve this.
Even if future core paired games are reluctant to use older settings, doing so is also clearly one of the core aspects of aPokémon Legendsgame. Mega Evolution sparked a major trend for games to include the option of having a major power-up once per battle, and there has been a striking variety ofbattle gimmicks inPokémonas a result. This means that there is an impressive backlog of interesting mechanics that could be given new life inPokémon Legendsgames.
As the series progresses, Gen 9’s Terastallization will most likely soon be similarly set aside in favor of Gen 10’s own defining gimmick, and as a result may not be used again for many years.
If reviving battle gimmicks does become a trend forPokémon Legendstitles, thendoing so would undoubtedly become one of the subseries' greatest appeals. Even if each may not appeal to the same person equally, all of these mechanics collectively have countless fans, offering everything from incredible visuals to new strategic angles to explore. As such, making use of them once more when the other games have effectively abandoned them would be a perfect way to keep these gimmicks relevant.
Legends Games Are Arriving Quicker Than Remakes
The Subseries Would Be Able To Bring Back More Battle Gimmicks Sooner
It is also worth noting thatPokémon Legendsgames are being produced quicker than the franchise’s customary remakes, making the subseries the quickest way to bring back old battle gimmicks. BetweenLegends: ArceusandZ-A, there will soon be twoPokémon Legendsgames released since 2022. However, the last remakes,Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, were released in 2021, demonstrating a much slower pace. Furthermore, anyremakes ofPokémon Black and Whitewould not even include any major battle gimmicks in the style of Mega Evolution (although Gen 5 did introduce the concept of triple battles).
I’m Worried Pokémon Legends Z-A Is Changing What Made Arceus So Great
Pokémon Legends Z-A is introducing several changes, but one may ruin all the hard work Arceus put into making the Legends series great.
The return of Mega Evolution inLegends: Z-Aproves that older battle gimmicks are not necessarily consigned to past Generations, or even their remakes. Entirely new games can and will make use of them as well, something that seems particularly fitting for thePokémon Legendstitles. As such,Pokémon Legends: Z-Acould prove to be the starting point for an new trend of the subseries reviving these mechanics, and if this development does come to pass it would undoubtedly be well-received by all.
