Pokemon Legends Z-A may be relatively new but fans are already embracing many of the new changes the game has brought. One of those positive impressions is control, as in, the new mechanics of this game allow you to fully control how your Lumiose adventure unfolds.
Pokemon Rom hacks, known to provide full modification access to unofficial Pokemon games, are getting a run for their money thanks to Pokemon Legends Z-A. Let's talk about why.
Is Pokemon Legends Z-A The Most Customizable Pokémon Game Yet?
Absol-utely! Freedom is the name of this Pokemon title's game and gives so much authority on how fans play. It is entirely up to the player how they start their journey. Start rich? Overpowered? Underleveled? Full of shinies? Entirely up to you.
What used to be only available in fan-made games is now highly accessible in Pokemon Legends Z-A. You can manipulate time, alter your experience and money gain, and a lot more! Keep reading to learn more.
Canari Plushes Are Our Best Friends
Let's start this discussion with the cute little huggables designed after Lumiose City's most famous streamer, Canari. These items, Canari Plushes, can be exchanged very early by collecting Colorful Screws all around Lumiose and trading said screws for the plushies.
The Canari Plushes allow you to customize how much money you can get for every battle. One Canari Plush will allow you to enhance experience gain and one Plush allows you to get more Mega Shards that you crush and collect. Even your survivability in Alpha or boss battles can be improved by buying on these Canari Plushes. You can now choose if you want a highly OP run or a handicapped one, without having to do a Nuzlocke run.
Unlimited Access To Battle Zones
There's a reason why some fans compare Pokemon Legends Z-A's Z-A Royale to Fight Club and that's because every time night falls in this game, a part of the map becomes a battle gauntlet called Battle Zones. Within these Battle Zones are trainers that respawn non-stop until the morning sun shines and their power level depends on your current rank.
Even when you acquire the Challenger Ticket, an item needed to get promoted, you can keep waiting for night to come or use benches to manipulate time and challenge these Battle Zones, over and over again! Again, overleveled or underleveled is now a conscious choice. If not, you now get to try other Pokemon you would not add to your team for their combat ability before moving on to the next rank.
Benches Are Shiny and Alpha Hunters’ Delight
Now, speaking of benches, a Legends Z-A player shouldn't sleep (no pun intended) on these simple yet very helpful tools. They may look like simple urban furniture but these actually allow you to manipulate the game's time at will. You can now manipulate the spawns of Pokemon including shiny and Alpha chances just by changing the time.
The best thing about this is that shiny Pokemon or Aphas you spawn by this method don't despawn no matter how many times you change the time. If that isn't a hunter's blessing, I don't know what is.
Early Access To The Whole Map
And since freedom is what Pokemon Legends Z-A is trying to sell us, it is easy to say they delivered. Because once you are done with the tutorial stage, around Main Mission 5, you are truly free to explore the whole map. No invisible walls other than some Pokemon might be too strong in some area.
With this, evolution stones are easily accessible thanks to the Stone Emporium. You can visit cafes and bond with your Pokemon to easily elevate friendship level. Mega Shards scattered all around Lumiose can be shattered to level up young Pokemon and use these shards to exchange for Experience Candies or even Mega Stones! Not only that, mints can be bought all around Lumiose to modify your Pokemon's stats to your liking. Special Attacking Gyarados? Yes please!
Fashion, Freedom, and Functionality
Of course, we can't talk about customizability without discussing Pokemon Legends Z-A's offer to fashion our character to what it will look like. You can now choose and buy different clothing choices for your trainer from multiple apparel stores all around the map.
You can also equip your character with different accessories like headsets, earrings, satchels, and more! Countless hairstyles and hair colors are also open to you especially if you choose the female protagonist. This is Pokemon X and Y's spirit blessing us with that classic Lumiose style.
Pokemon Legends Z-A is a living testament that Pokemon games aren't just stale, linear, and one-sided adventures. It provides that balance between subtle guidance and a freedom that games like Persona or Animal Crossing offer and for that, we couldn't be happier. Here's to hoping future Pokemon games will also follow these fabulous steps only found in Legends Z-A!