Why Pokemon Legends: Z-A Must Copy Zelda: TotK’s Genius Move

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Initially, when it was announced that Pokemon Legends: Z-A would be set entirely within Lumiose City, some fans expressed doubts about the game’s scope, given the expansive exploration and creature hunting in the Hisui Region of Pokemon Legends: Arceus. The open-world nature of Legends: Arceus was a key factor that made it stand out. However, Pokemon Legends: Z-A could address concerns about feeling too confined by incorporating elements similar to those found in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

As a gamer, I’ve been absolutely blown away by both “Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and its sequel, “Tears of the Kingdom.” These games have redefined modern open-world design, crafting two of the richest and most captivating sandbox worlds out there. It seemed like an impossible feat to surpass the magic of Hyrule in “Tears of the Kingdom,” but they managed it by cleverly using vertical space to expand the game’s map without having to create a completely new world.

When it comes to “Pokemon Legends: Z-A,” which is set in Lumiose City, they might find themselves facing a similar challenge. Taking a cue from “Tears of the Kingdom” could be a wise move in dealing with this constraint.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Lumiose City Could Follow Tears of the Kingdom’s Vertical Level Design

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Map May Be Deceptively Large

In the sprawling metropolis of Lumiose City, which is among the biggest cities in the Pokemon universe, it’s easy to feel that a game set entirely within one city overlooks the vastness of the Kalos Region. For some, the idea of an entire game confined to a single city might seem like untapped potential. Nevertheless, Lumiose City will feature Wild Zones, dividing the map into various zones where humans and Pokemon can live together. However, cities have their limitations when it comes to providing ample space for players to explore. Yet, based on the gameplay trailers of Legends: Z-A, there appear to be innovative ways to make the most of the map’s area, such as venturing into new heights – quite literally!

In the trailer for Pokemon Day’s Legends: Z-A, we see trainers dashing across rooftops and battling wild Pokemon from these buildings – much like how Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom utilized Sky Islands to offer new exploration opportunities for players, it seems that Pokemon Legends: Z-A might motivate players to explore the city’s highest points in search of hidden treasures. Lumiose City houses notable landmarks such as Prism Tower, making these locations ideal for thrilling climbing adventures.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Has Room for its Own Version of Tears of the Kingdom’s Depths

In a similar vein to how “Tears of the Kingdom” unveiled the Depths, serving as an underworld counterpart to Hyrule’s surface, “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” might delve into subterranean realms too. While the underground areas beneath Lumiose City were scarcely explored in “Pokemon X and Y”, there exists ample opportunity for “Legends: Z-A” to venture downwards, considering there are known structures below the city, such as the former Team Flare base within Lysandre Labs. The game could potentially find inspiration from our world’s history and introduce a chilling new location inspired by the Paris Catacombs – an intriguing addition to the “Pokemon” series.

In a straightforward manner, consider suggesting:

Tears of the Kingdom masterfully employed vertical level design to rejuvenate Hyrule’s map post-Breath of the Wild, and it would be wise for Pokemon Legends: Z-A to follow suit by expanding Lumoise City in a similar fashion. Modern open-world games have demonstrated that vertical level design, as seen in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree‘s Land of Shadow, can make a world seem substantially larger than its actual size. Given the potential for vertical exploration offered by large buildings and skyscrapers within Lumiose City, Legends: Z-A should take advantage of this design opportunity.

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2025-03-11 17:36