Pokemon Legends Z-A Proves Pokemon Gen 10 Desperately Needs Voice Acting

by

Pokémon Legends Z-A is the newest installment in the popular Pokémon series, and it introduces some exciting changes to how the games are played. The biggest difference is a more dynamic battle system, allowing players to move around during fights, reposition their Pokémon, and choose attacks in real-time. While some fans are hesitant about this new approach, others see it as a welcome and innovative update.

Although some players have mixed feelings about the battle system, the biggest complaint about Pokemon Legends Z-A is the missing voice acting. Fans are hoping this feedback will push Game Freak, the game’s developer, to add voiceovers in future installments.

Lack Of Voice Acting In Pokemon Legends Z-A Is A Major Disappointment For Fans

One of the first things players notice in Pokemon Legends Z-A is the absence of voice acting. When an announcement plays on the big screen in Lumiose City, players have to read the text and imagine the sound of someone speaking, rather than actually hearing it. With the game featuring improved graphics and a smooth frame rate on the Nintendo Switch 2 – both highly requested features – the areas where the game falls short become even more noticeable.

The game has some odd quirks, such as being forced to read the words during a dull performance, or interacting with trainers who remain silent until their Pokémon speak for them. It’s a strange contrast.

Games often lack voice acting primarily because it’s expensive. Independent game developers usually have limited budgets and prioritize other areas. For certain types of games, like role-playing games and visual novels, the absence of voice acting isn’t a drawback – players can become just as absorbed in the story through reading the dialogue, similar to how they enjoy a good book.

I’ve really noticed the absence of voice acting while playing Pokémon Legends Z-A with my son. We either have to take turns reading the dialogue to stay synchronized, let him play until he finishes the text, or try to figure out when he’s done reading on his own.

While it’s not a major issue—many Nintendo Switch games have similar pacing—Pokemon Legends Z-A features a significant amount of dialogue, particularly at the beginning. Dalton Cooper pointed out that the game includes a lot of upfront tutorials, which can make it slow to get going.

Pokemon Legends Z-A is a really good game, though the voice acting wasn’t quite as strong as it could have been.

Many people, including me, were hoping Pokemon Legends Z-A would include voice acting, and it’s a common disappointment. While some great games, even potential Nintendo Switch 2 titles, don’t have much voice work, that doesn’t mean Pokemon Legends Z-A isn’t good. In fact, I think it’s a brilliant step forward for the series, and the new combat system is a real highlight. It’s just that the lack of voice acting feels particularly noticeable.

Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon series, and fans are anticipating major announcements from Game Freak, The Pokémon Company, and Nintendo. While the next generation of Pokémon games, Generation 10, might not launch until after 2026, many hope it will be revealed that year. If Generation 10 is meant to be a significant step forward for the series, fully voiced characters seem essential. Although there’s buzz about new features and gameplay, playing Pokémon Legends Z-A has only strengthened the feeling that voice acting is a must-have for the future of Pokémon.

Read More

2025-10-22 13:10