So, finally playing through Pokemon Legends Z-A.
For frame of reference… On the Switch, before this game I really only can say I enjoyed three Pokémon games total on the console; Let’s go eevee, detective pikachu returns, and new Pokémon snap, in that order. I avoided legends arceus like the plague because of its relation to souls mechanics and the fact that the region du jour was Sinnoh, which dredges up angry memories about the DS era of games.
I actively avoided the mainline gen 8&9 in part because banning 80% of the Dex at launch offended me on principle; then seeing videos showing what a regression in presentation just conveyed that I was going to have a bad time if I even gave them the disk space.
So, back to the new game. What do I think?
I’m enjoying it more than I thought I would. The more active role as a trainer in battling felt like something fresh out of my fan fiction back then 🙀 also not sure if this was added in earlier, but i very much appreciate how more things can help earn experience besides just battling. For example clearing obstacles to explore more and using Pokémon moves to clear rocks or sludge also earns experience. Very appreciated.
Rather impressed how well it performs, even in handheld mode. Yes, I did experience that uncanny valley moment with seeing animation framerates reduce within the station at the very beginning, but not seen that since going into the city proper.
Alpha Pokémon though? I’m growing to dislike them as much as I hated the EMMIs in Metroid Dread.
But the worst thing? Holy heck, this game sucks down battery fast.