This Viral Pokemon Cutscene is Why Legends: Z-A is Already Controversial

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Just a day after its release, *Pokemon Legends: Z-A* is already facing criticism. *Pokemon* games often spark debate among fans when new features are disliked or long-awaited improvements are missing – like the performance problems in *Pokemon Scarlet and Violet* or the removal of Pokemon in *Pokemon Sword and Shield*. With *Pokemon Legends: Z-A*, many players agree that future games should include voice acting, something this installment lacks.

Some *Pokémon Sword and Shield* fans felt the game was a step back for the series. While the removal of Pokémon from the game (known as ‘Dexit’) remains a disappointment, another issue has resurfaced with the release of *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*. Players noticed that a key character, Gym Leader Piers, had a cutscene where he performed on stage without any music or voice acting. This cutscene recently went viral, and with *Pokémon Legends: Z-A* also featuring similar, silent cutscenes, many players are expressing their frustration.

Even though Legends: Z-A is set in Lumiose City, some Pokémon that appeared in Pokémon X and Y aren’t included in the new game.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Voice Acting Controversy Explained

Voice acting has been a consistent point of discussion among *Pokémon* game fans for several reasons. Here are some of them:

  • Fans criticize Game Freak and The Pokemon Company for no voice acting in Pokemon games despite it being one of the largest franchises in the world.
  • Gen 5 games had instances of voice acting, specifically one with Roxie singing on the stage – something Pokemon Sword and Shield‘s Piers never gets to do.
  • Considering that Pokemon’s anime does have voice acting for the games’ NPCs, many fans would like for them to be added to the games, too.
  • Since Pokemon games are usually played by kids, too, it would be beneficial for them to hear the words they read pronounced by a human being.
  • The games typically have a musical score and melodies attached to them, but not actual songs. However, Ed Sheeran’s song in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet set a new precedent that Legends: Z-A is ignoring.
  • Pokemon games turn 30 years old next year, and voice acting has been requested for many years.
  • Pokemon Gen 10’s leaked procedural generation may remove the handcrafted aspect of the series’ world, so adding voice acting could help.

In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, unlocking new Mega Evolutions usually happens after battles against Rogue Megas in Lumiose City, with characters like Lida or Taunie/Urbain present. However, these characters remain silent throughout the process. The game also features brief text notifications from other NPCs, but there’s no spoken dialogue accompanying them.

A surprisingly weak part of *Pokemon Legends: Z-A* is a cutscene where Zygarde quickly transports the player to a rooftop battle against a rogue Mega Evolution. The scene feels awkward because important characters like Emma and AZ only communicate through text on screen, lacking voice acting. Similarly, an early cutscene featuring Floette using Light of Ruin to deter trainers feels flat; both the attack and the character Taunie/Urbain are missing their sound, diminishing the impact.

Why Pokemon Gen 10 Needs to Be The End of an Era

Fans have been requesting voice acting in Pokémon games for a long time, so it would be a logical addition in the upcoming 10th generation. With the new games expected in 2026 – four years after *Scarlet and Violet* – the negative reaction to a continued lack of voice acting could be much stronger than the criticism surrounding a specific cutscene in the previous generation. It remains to be seen what The Pokémon Company and Game Freak will decide, but they may eventually give in to the demand.

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2025-10-16 16:13