🌟 Game Review: Pokémon Legends: Za

An original, fictional review of the next entry in the Pokémon Legends series.

Pokémon Legends: Za takes the experimental open-world foundation of Legends: Arceus and pushes it into bolder—and sometimes weirder—territory. Set in the newly imagined Solara Region, a land shaped by ancient light-based technology and mythic rifts, the game blends exploration, fast-paced creature interaction, and narrative mystery into a surprisingly refreshing Pokémon experience.

🌅 Story & Worldbuilding – 8.7/10

The game centers on the legendary Pokémon Necrozma, whose fractured prism energy is causing “Lightfalls”—strange distortions that alter ecosystems, time of day, and even Pokémon behavior. As a wandering Lightkeeper-in-training, you’re tasked with cataloging changed species, restoring balance, and uncovering why Necrozma’s power is unraveling.

The writing is more confident than recent entries, with strong regional lore and memorable NPCs like the enigmatic scholar Ressa and the fiercely independent ranger Karo. The Solara Region itself is a standout: jungles that glow at night, desert canyons that shift with prism storms, and ancient constructs that feel older and stranger than anything in previous Pokémon games.

⚔️ Gameplay & Mechanics – 9.0/10

If Legends: Arceus was proof of concept, Za is refinement.

What’s Improved

• Seamless open world with no loading zones between areas

• Freeflow catching still exists, but AI is smarter—some Pokémon hide, stalk, or lure you

• Hybrid battle encounters allow for instant action or classic turn-based strategy

• “Lightform” evolutions, temporary transformations influenced by the environment’s prism energy

Combat is faster, more dynamic, and more tactical. Some Pokémon change typings mid-battle depending on light exposure, forcing you to adapt on the fly—one of the game’s best innovations.

🌍 Exploration – 9.2/10

Exploration is where Legends: Za shines brightest.

• Mountable partners feel more distinct, with unique traversal abilities

• Environmental puzzles tied to prism mechanics add depth

• Lightfall Zones introduce random modifiers, making familiar areas unpredictable

• Hidden temples, lore tablets, and region-specific variants reward curiosity

It truly feels like a living world—more adventurous than traditional Pokémon routes but more curated than massive open-world environments that overwhelm players.

🎨 Visuals & Presentation – 8.3/10

While not pushing cutting-edge graphics, the game embraces a stylized, prismatic aesthetic that suits its theme. Light-based effects are especially impressive: shimmering dust, morphing shadows, and crystalline distortions give the region personality.

Character models and environments are more detailed than Arceus, but some textures still fall flat, and frame dips occur during heavy weather effects.

🔊 Audio & Soundtrack – 9.1/10

The soundtrack is one of the best in modern Pokémon.
Expect:

• haunting nighttime flute motifs

• energetic open-world themes

• radiant, chaotic Necrozma battle arrangements that feel truly climactic

Pokémon cries are updated subtly, and ambient audio—like distant roars or prism chimes—adds immersion.

🔁 Replayability & Content – 8.5/10

With dozens of Lightform species, variant evolutions, side quests, and endgame Lightfall Raids, there’s plenty to do after the credits roll.

Completionists will enjoy the expanded Solara Dex, which tracks environmental behaviors, light responses, and special encounter conditions.

The only drawback: some raid encounters feel overly chaotic in multiplayer.

⭐ Final Verdict – 8.8/10

Pokémon Legends: Za is a bold, imaginative step forward that proves the Legends format has real staying power. Its immersive world, refined gameplay, and clever light-based mechanics elevate it above its predecessor. While it’s not perfect, the game captures the sense of wonder and discovery that fans have been craving.

A bright, daring evolution—and one of the freshest Pokémon experiences in years.