Have you found yourself tangled in the lively discussions on Reddit or Twitter about whether Pokemon Legends ZA is a sequel to Pokemon Legends Arceus? It’s a hot topic amongst fans, especially considering that both games are developed by Game Freak. The names alone can lead to confusion, hinting that Legends Arceus could serve as a precursor to the upcoming Legends ZA. But are they really connected?
Let’s dive into the details and compare the two games to see how they measure up and whether Pokemon Legends Z-A truly qualifies as a sequel to Legends Arceus or other Pokémon titles.
Is Pokemon Legends ZA a Sequel to Legends Arceus?
First off, the answer is clear: Pokemon Legends ZA is not a direct sequel to Pokemon Legends Arceus. Despite their similar names, these games are distinct from one another.
Pokemon Legends ZA takes place in Lumiose City, set years after the notable Team Flare and Zygarde events. Conversely, Pokemon Legends Arceus serves as a prequel, occurring a full century before any of the mainline Pokemon gameplay, delving into the early formation of the Sinnoh region.
Pokemon Legends ZA and Legends Arceus Similarities
Both games feature a semi-open world format, allowing players to explore, capture various Pokemon, and engage in battles with trainers. However, the freedom of exploration is somewhat restricted compared to games like Scarlet and Violet, which offer a fully open world experience.
Another intriguing similarity is the differentiated Starter Pokemon roster. In Legends Arceus, players could choose from Cyndaquil, Oshawott, and Rowlet—each hailing from distinct regions (Johto, Unova, and Alola). In Legends ZA, players can select from Totodile, Chikorita, and Tepig, borrowing two of them from Johto and one from Unova.
Moreover, there’s speculation that Legends ZA might introduce an extra evolution for these starters beyond their typical final forms (Feraligatr, Meganium, and Emboar). Much like how Arceus featured the Hisuian evolution for its starters, a potential Mega Evolution could also make its debut in Legends ZA, given that the game is set in Kalos, renowned for its Mega Evolutions.
Pokemon Legends ZA and Legends Arceus Differences
While there are some similarities, the two games also have notable differences:
- Game Setting: Legends ZA is steeped in the urban landscape of Lumiose City, while Legends Arceus plunges players into the wilds of Sinnoh, set a century before any mainline series.
- Battle Focus: Legends ZA emphasizes climbing ranks from Z-A and battling trainers throughout the city, alongside catching Pokemon in designated zones. In contrast, Legends Arceus prioritizes capturing Pokemon and completing the Pokedex.
- Multiplayer Mode: Legends ZA extensively highlights PvP battles in both ranked and unranked modes, offering players the chance to battle alongside each other. Legends Arceus had limited multiplayer features, restricting trading mainly to friends.
- Art Style: Legends Arceus was characterized by a more sophisticated and neutral art style that enriched its surroundings, while Legends ZA pushes a crisp and realistic art style that complements its urban setting.
- Battle Mechanics: Legends ZA opts for real-time battles with cooldowns, moving away from traditional turn-based styles. Legends Arceus allowed a real-time experience but leaned more towards typical turn-based gameplay.
- Mega Evolution: After a decade-long absence in Legends Arceus, Mega Evolutions are back in Legends ZA, a notable shift since Megas were introduced during the X and Y era.
Is Legends ZA a sequel to any previous Pokemon games?
While this hasn’t been outright confirmed, there are compelling arguments suggesting that Legends: ZA might be a sequel to the beloved Pokemon X and Y, launched back in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS.
Set in Lumiose City, Legends ZA unfolds after the events where Team Flare attempted to dominate Kalos through Zygarde, which was ultimately thwarted by the heroes from X and Y. Hints from the trailer appear to align with this theory.
Many familiar faces from X and Y appear in the trailer, including Emma, who seems to have matured since her last appearance. Furthermore, AZ and Floette Eternal are featured together, reinforcing the notion that Legends ZA is set in the timeline following X and Y. The protagonists bear a striking resemblance to Professor Sycamore, fueling speculation that they could even be his descendants.
In summary, I hope this clears any confusion regarding whether Pokemon Legends ZA is a sequel to Legends Arceus. If you have additional thoughts or theories we might have overlooked, please feel free to share in the comments below. For more exciting content, don’t forget to check out Moyens I/O.