Pokémon has needed a change of pace. Since its debut in 1993, the mainline games have relied on the same battling formula of turn-based action, and that’s all about to change in Pokémon Legends Z-A.

I played about an hour of gameplay at an event held in NYC and am almost at a loss for words. Pokémon Legends Z-A not only flips the brand-name battling on its head but reinvigorates the way you play. It feels almost like an entirely new game, yet still remains totally familiar.

Elements reminiscent in Legends Arceus also remain, keeping quality of life improvements that made that game so special. And, for those worried that Legends Z-A’s world might feel too small to traverse, think again. Adventure is still at the heart of the experience with small MetroidVania elements that keep your stay

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