Pokémon Legends Z-A vs Arceus: 10 Ways Z-A Improves the Formula

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Pokémon Legends Z-A has been released to widespread praise, even though some people doubted it would meet the high expectations of both longtime fans and new players. This release could be the last Pokémon game on the Nintendo Switch – something many see as a positive – and continues the innovative Legends series, which many consider to be a step in the right direction.

Continuing the Legends series is a challenge, as Pokémon Legends Z-A follows one of the most popular Pokémon games ever made. Arceus was so innovative that many people anticipated Z-A wouldn’t be as good, or even just about the same. Surprisingly, while it might not be a superior game overall, Pokémon Legends Z-A actually improves upon Arceus in several ways.

10. A Better Mix Of Legends And Mainline Features

Z-A Appeals To Every Type Of Player

Pokémon Legends Arceus really focuses on catching Pokémon and filling out the Pokédex, which is fantastic. It highlighted these two important parts of the series that often get overlooked, giving them the attention they deserve. This focus is what truly sets it apart from other Pokémon games, and many players appreciated that change.

While Legends Arceus didn’t quite satisfy longtime Pokémon fans used to the traditional gameplay, Legends Z-A aims to please a wider audience. It returns to the series’ focus on battling, similar to the main Pokémon games, but still keeps the open-world exploration and catching features from Arceus. This makes Legends Z-A more enjoyable for a broader range of players, and many consider it the stronger title as a result, even if it doesn’t drastically change the formula.

9. Real-Time Combat

Xenoblade Meets Pokémon Is A Great Combo

While Pokémon Legends Arceus innovated with real-time catching, Pokémon Z-A does the same with battles. They’re fast-paced and enjoyable, exactly what I’ve been hoping for. Turn-based battles aren’t broken in Pokémon, but Game Freak hasn’t often made them particularly engaging.

The battle system, which is similar to the one in Xenoblade Chronicles, is a great success and adds more strategy and depth to fights. It’s a significant improvement that could be even better if used in future Pokémon games. Importantly, it’s a much stronger evolution of the battle system than what Legends: Arceus tried, making this game more engaging in combat.

8. Significantly Better Visuals

The Years Haven’t Been Kind To Legends Arceus

Okay, let’s be real, Pokémon Legends Z-A isn’t winning any awards for graphics. The character models are a little better, and the inside areas still look way nicer than the outside world – which is a classic Pokémon thing, honestly. But it’s definitely not a stunning visual experience. That said, compared to Arceus, which looked seriously dated, Legends Z-A actually looks amazing! It’s a huge step up, and I’m pleasantly surprised.

Lumiose City is packed with more interesting details than any of the areas in Legends Arceus, making it a more engaging place to discover. The graphics are also a significant improvement – you won’t find outdated tree models like those in older games. While I personally like the unique art style of Arceus, it’s held back by technical constraints. Z-A simply looks better because it had more time and technology to work with.

7. Mega Evolutions

They Add A Whole New Dimension To The Experience

Mega Evolutions in Pokémon Legends Z-A might seem a little like a fun extra feature, but they do enhance the gameplay. Legends Arceus included Alpha Pokémon which were great for varying battles, but didn’t significantly change the overall game. The Mega Evolutions in Legends Z-A, when done well, offer more meaningful progression and rewards than anything Arceus had to offer.

Like Pokémon Legends: Arceus with its Hisuian forms, this game features a mix of brilliant and questionable designs. While Arceus could have been even better with a transformation system or more Hisuian Pokémon, Pokémon Legends Z-A ultimately presents Pokémon that feel more alive and engaging.

6. The Performance Is Drastically Improved

Legends Z-A Doesn’t Run At 10 FPS

Image: Bruno Yonezawa

Pokémon games have often had performance issues, and Legends Arceus was no different. I recall seeing the initial trailer and noticing the Pokémon moving at a very slow frame rate – about 10 frames per second – and fearing the whole game would run that poorly. While Arceus did get better, it still struggled with performance in a similar way to Scarlet and Violet.

Pokémon Legends Z-A avoids the performance problems some other games have. While there are small dips in frame rate now and then, it mostly runs smoothly at 30 FPS, particularly on the Nintendo Switch 2. You shouldn’t need to buy a new console to enjoy this game, but it’s good to see Game Freak improving performance, even with an older game engine.

5. Seamless Open World

It Isn’t Segmented Like Legends Arceus

Image: Austin King

Pokémon Legends: Arceus gave us a glimpse of what an open-world Pokémon game could be, which was really promising. However, it wasn’t a fully open world – it had large areas, but wasn’t completely seamless. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet tried to create a truly seamless world, but unfortunately, technical issues and Game Freak’s lack of experience with this type of game held it back.

Pokémon Legends Z-A showcases what the developers at Game Freak can achieve right now, and it’s a noticeable improvement over Pokémon Arceus. Although it’s not as expansive as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the ability to freely explore the entire city and see all its sights is a welcome change. This feels like a positive step forward for the Pokémon series, helping it stay modern and relevant – something it really needs at this point.

4. World Design Is More Dynamic

It Isn’t All Flat Plains & Forests

Some players have criticized the world of Pokémon Legends Z-A for feeling a bit empty, with repetitive buildings and not much in between. However, it’s difficult to say it’s less lively than the simple, flat landscapes, forests, and mountains of Arceus. Legends Arceus made it really challenging to find anything interesting; even when you did, it was often just an abandoned building.

While the city in Pokémon Legends Z-A does have some repeated designs, it feels a bit more detailed and engaging than before. You’ll notice Pokémon actively using the surroundings, and there are more interesting places to discover. Though there’s still room to make it even better, the world of Legends Z-A is noticeably more visually varied compared to Arceus.

3. Character Customization

There Are So Many More Choices

Pokémon Legends: Arceus did have character customization, but I can’t recall a lot of detail about it. It wasn’t because there was too much to choose from, but actually the opposite. There just weren’t many clothes or hairstyles, so I quickly picked a look and didn’t change it. Luckily, Pokémon Legends Z-A is much better in that regard.

Pokémon Legends Z-A boasts an incredible level of customization, likely more than any other game in the series. Players can unlock and buy a wide variety of styles to personalize their character, offering a truly diverse collection. Many fans consider the customization options to be the highlight of the game, second only to the combat itself, and it’s a lot of fun to experiment with.

2. A More Diverse Pokédex

It’s A More Exciting Mix

Filling out the Pokédex in Pokémon Legends Arceus was a strong point, largely because the game emphasized collecting. When a game focuses on collection, it’s important to make the things you collect engaging. However, due to the game’s historical setting and the effort to place Pokémon logically within each area, the available selection sometimes felt a little restricted.

As a fan, I’ve been playing Legends Z-A, and what really stands out to me is the Pokémon selection. It feels a lot more exciting and unpredictable than in Arceus. While some of my favorites are missing, the Pokémon that are in Z-A really make the game feel special and different. Arceus had some great Pokémon too, of course, but Z-A’s Pokédex just feels much more diverse and interesting overall.

1. Z-A Royale

It Adds A New Layer Of Fun

Finally, there’s the Z-A Royale mode. Nintendo has been adding unique Battle Royale modes to its games, like Knockout Tour in Mario Kart World and now Z-A Royale in Legends Z-A. It’s honestly one of the most creative and effective ways I’ve seen to get players involved in trainer battles. Z-A Royale simply makes the Legends Z-A game even more enjoyable and gives players more activities to do while they explore.

Unlike previous games like Scarlet and Violet, Pokémon Legends Z-A really utilizes the day and night cycle, and feels like a great way to test out new ideas for future Pokémon games. I’m eager to see how those ideas develop! While Legends Arceus is still enjoyable and has its strengths – especially the music – Pokémon Legends Z-A, despite its flaws, introduces some genuinely good concepts.

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2025-10-25 02:13