How Pokemon Legends: Z-A Could Revolutionize Traversal with a Feature From Scarlet and Violet

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Summary

  • Pokemon Legends: Z-A may feature traversal mechanics seen in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and Sword and Shield.
  • Rotom phone could replace Ride Pokemon in Legends: Z-A for in-game navigation.
  • Legends: Z-A setting a precedent for future games by utilizing the Rotom phone for traversal.

In the latest trailer for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, a potentially significant gameplay mechanic might have been hinted at, but it appears to be somewhat familiar as it may have already appeared in Generation 9’s games, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Although this new mechanic didn’t seem to be the main focus of Game Freak’s recent update for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the trailer may suggest a novel approach to movement mechanics with the return of the Rotom phone. Instead of relying on Ride Pokemon, as seen in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Legends: Z-A could be incorporating mechanics that were present in Scarlet, Violet, Sword, and Shield.

After Game Freak opted for an open-world format in the main Pokemon series, each subsequent game has explored various ways of navigating within the game. However, while Ride Pokemon were employed in both Legends: Arceus and Scarlet & Violet, it appears that Pokemon Legends: Z-A is returning to using the Rotom phone for movement mechanics, as was the case with Sword & Shield. A subtle hint at this can be found in a brief instant during the trailer for Legends: Z-A that bears a striking resemblance to something more recently observed in Scarlet & Violet.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Could Be Expanding on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Rotom Phone

Ever since Pokemon Sun and Moon transformed Rotom into a more functional Pokedex, Game Freak has been exploring new capabilities for this once unique Gen 4 Pokemon in subsequent games. The Rotom phone, introduced between Sword and Shield and continuing in Scarlet and Violet, seems to have set a trend. In the latest trailer for Legends: Z-A , it appears Rotom will follow a similar path, but midway through the trailer, the player character is shown leaping between buildings using an animation that strikingly resembles the fall damage prevention mechanism in Scarlet and Violet.

As I was soaring through the skies in Legends: Arceus, I couldn’t help but notice that the game wasn’t as lenient as Scarlet and Violet. However, one tiny detail from those previous Gen 9 games caught my attention. You know that moment when you’re about to take a tumble from a great height and cling onto your Rotom phone? Well, it looks like the animation for that is strikingly similar to the scene in Legends: Z-A‘s trailer, where the player character holds something close to their chest and glides between buildings in a graceful arc. Now, I’m not saying this is confirmed, but it sure seems like they might be building on that small feature from Scarlet and Violet in a much grander way in Legends: Z-A.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Might Be Avoiding Pokemon Legends: Arceus’ Ride Pokemon

Although it’s logical for the game titled “Legends: Z-A” to incorporate a modern device like the Rotom phone given its contemporary setting, this choice could create a contradiction with its predecessor, “Legends: Arceus.” While both games are part of the mainline series, they seem to be exceptions because we expect them to share common elements, such as having an intergenerational starter trio or featuring a single Legendary mascot Pokemon. The absence of Ride Pokemon in the recent trailer for “Legends: Z-A” suggests that it might replace these with the Rotom phone, potentially distancing itself from the Ride Pokemon of “Legends: Arceus.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Might Even Be Falling Back To Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Rotom Phone

It’s not unprecedented that Game Freak has employed the Rotom device for navigation within games, as seen with the introduction of the Rotom bike in Sword and Shield to traverse their open worlds. This method could be reused in Legends: Z-A. Given the significant roles Koraidon and Miraidon play in Scarlet and Violet’s story, it seems Game Freak might have opted for a contemporary replacement for Legends: Arceus’ multiple Ride Pokemon in Legends: Z-A. Consequently, Legends: Z-A could establish a pattern for future Pokemon games, with the Rotom phone, bike, and possibly more becoming the series’ primary means of in-game travel mechanics.

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2025-03-29 15:08