There is one feature that I hope receives a much-needed improvement inPokémon Legends: Z-Aafter its implementation inPokémon Scarlet and Violet. Although thePokémonfranchise does typically improve on past features with each new entry, this isn’t aways the case. In the case ofPokémon Scarlet and Violetspecifically, the last core games arguably represented a setback for this popular modernPokémonfeature, something that disappointed many people.
ThePokémongames constantly experiment with new functions, although the reactions to said features may not always be particularly enthusiastic. It is worth noting thatLegends: Z-A is introducing a potentially controversial featureby adding a stealth element to trainer battles, which defies a decades-long convention for the franchise. Furthermore, there are severalfeatures that Generation 10 could removewhich would arguably improve the next core titles through their absence. Crucially, however,Legends: Z-Awill also be able to directly improve on its predecessors by correcting their own mistakes.
Legends: Z-A Could Provide Improved Trainer Customization
Customization Should Be Much More Expansive In The Next Pokémon Game
Trainer customization has proved to be a valuable addition toPokémongames, allowing protagonists to far better reflect an individual person. Of course, a player character does not need to resemble the person behind it, but in any case myself and many others have greatly appreciated the ability to create a unique look while playing these games. This includes both altering a protagonist’s physical appearance from the baseline avatars and having them wear a wide variety of clothing, which in turn gives rise to countless possibilities.
I Already Love Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s New Protagonists For One Simple Reason
One newly-revealed detail regarding Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s player characters has really made me appreciate the thought involved in their creation.
Legends: Z-Acould offer the largest range of customization options yet, especially if speculation over it being agame created for the Switch 2proves accurate given the console’s improved specifications. Naturally, this is an exciting prospect; it is easy to see the game offering more choice in terms of clothing and accessories than prior titles, and perhaps even entirely new customization options as well.One clear example of the latter would be alternative Key Stone accessoriesin addition to the standard Mega Rings that can already be seen in promotional material.
InPokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire,special Mega Bracelets are used by the protagonists when taking part in Pokémon Contest Spectaculars (specifically, Brendan’s Mega Cuff and May’s Mega Charm), but these are not wearable during regular gameplay.
It should be noted that there has not been any official reveal of trainer customization in promotional material forPokémon Legends: Z-Aso far, and as such its inclusion in the game is technically only speculative. However, given how popular the feature has proven to be, and the fact that it has become ubiquitous to the franchise ever since its introduction,it would be strange for the next title to remove customizationentirely. Furthermore, previousPokémontitles have already clearly demonstrated that more extensive customization is a better path for the franchise to take.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Customization Was Disappointing
The School Uniform Gimmick Drastically Limited Every Player’s Individual Style
In direct contrast to the wide range of clothing offered in mostPokémongames with customization features,Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s outfitsare notably lacking in variety. This is primarily due to the fact thatthe player character must always wear some variant of school uniform, with the exception of them instead wearing the festival outfit introduced inThe Teal Mask. While this decision does fit the games' concept of the protagonist attending Paldea’s Academy as a pupil, it also harshly limits the possibilities for self-expression inScarlet and Violet.
Because the player character must always wear a uniform, this means that what clothing options do exist serve more to accent a singular style than contribute to something more unique. Of course, it is still possible to have countless unique trainers created through the available options, even if they are less extensive. But in the end, without the ability to wear clothing like shirts, pants, and dresses,this was ultimately a clear step backward fromPokémon Sword and ShieldandLegends: Arceus, and I was far from alone in being disappointed by this.
Trainer Customization Is Particularly Significant For Kalos
The Feature’s Origins Are Rooted In The Region Containing Lumiose City
The possibility ofPokémon Legends: Z-Arestoring this featureto its fullest extent would be especially poetic due to its setting. Kalos is itself inextricably linked to character customization inPokémonbecausePokémon X and Ywere the first games to offer clothing and other customization options. This itself reflects the importance of fashion in real-life French culture. Therefore, it would be extremely fitting forPokémon Legends: Z-Ato include an incredible variety of clothing and other style options, following in the footsteps of bothX and Yand all three games' shared inspiring culture.
With Pokémon Legends: Z-A Releasing This Fall, There’s Never Been A Better Time To Revisit Gen 6
Kalos is an iconic entry into the Pokémon franchise, and it’s one you should definitely play before jumping into Pokémon Legends: Z-A later this year.
Character customization has given thePokémongames a far stronger sense of individuality, which meshes perfectly with how strongly the franchise values people connecting with each other. The stripped-back implementation of the feature inPokémon Scarlet and Violetquickly proved to be an unpopular decision, despite the clear internal logic it followed. However,Pokémon Legends: Z-Acould easily reverse this change when it releases later this year, and perhaps even build trainer customization up into a bigger feature than ever before.
