Johto And Unova Believers In Shambles As Pokémon Announces New 'Legends' Game Set In Kalos Region
The Pokémon Company has once again foiled some of its fandom's biggest speculators, conspiracy theorists and rumor mongers by announcing Pokémon Legends Z-A, a new game in its budding Legends franchise set in Kalos, of all places.
Not much is known about the new game, though the trailer suggests it could take place in an industrialization period before Kalos became the Paris-inspired region fans know from Pokémon X&Y. The trailer also appears to confirm that Mega Evolutions, a battle gimmick introduced in the 11-year-old titles, will return in Legends Z-A. The trailer promises "simultaneous release" in 2025.
While that's certainly exciting for Pokémon fans who just want a new game to play, for many fans, the real headline is that The Pokémon Company has tapped Kalos for their latest dive into the past.
Ahead of today's stream, many fans felt the most likely marquee announcement would be either remakes of Pokémon Black and White set in Generation V's Unova or Let's Go titles set in Gen II's Johto. Either would be in line with Pokémon's pre-established pattern of revisiting older titles, as the company has traditionally moved in sequential order for remakes.
Furthermore, since the release of Pokémon Legends Arceus, fans have theorized that Johto or Unova could be likely candidates for a sequel in the new franchise. Put another way, Kalos was not on anybody's radar.
The surprising reveal was met with excitement from many fans, as Pokémon had successfully subverted their expectations. Furthermore, the title "Z-A" was interpreted by some as Pokémon making good on a hypothetical Pokémon Z that never came out after X&Y, which marked the first time in franchise history Pokémon did not release a companion or sequel game in a generation.
At least one user saw the potential for more violent hijinks setting a Legends game in the France-inspired Kalos:
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Boykisser
I feel like the tweets that are people screaming in all caps about every little thing that they're excited for and that this is the perfect outcome are maybe coping a little over the fact this isn't what they had in mind. We're all just hoping these days that the developers release a good game and not one with bugs or bland gameplay or a story that holds your hand all the way throwing free items at you left and right that you'll put down soon after to play something else.
Boykisser
Damn they're pumping these out nowadays, I still need to dust off my copy of Shield and beat the water gym.
Kelazi5
It sounds like it's coming out in 2025. So this'll be one of those rare years we don't get a mainline game. Also could mean it'll be on the new console.
Adam DeLand
So while I'm happy Kalos is getting at least more to it (even though I wasn't exactly a fan of Mega Evolution), completely skipping over Unova makes me afraid that The Pokemon Company believes Black & White was a mistake and that they want to completely forget about it.
seacliff
We got a SV DLC that was a Unova homage. I think you are looking a bit too deeply into it.
Adam DeLand
Though that made it seem like that's all they're willing to give it. Sure the Blueberry Academy may have been located in Unova, but the only references to it were hidden details like the musical references or post-game dialogue. If it truly were a homage to Black and White, it would've featured only Gen V Pokemon or I don't know, BRING BACK THE DREAM WORLD!
downer
The real hype is the 2025 release window. That suggests a longer dev cycle than they've been giving themselves until now.
Will they use that extra time well? Who knows, but at least they have it.
UnKewln00b
The 2025 release window sure is hype, but knowing modern Gamefreak I wouldn't be surprised if they basically Just approved this concept three days ago and whipped up that little teaser and any actual work doesn't start until Summer.
But, I'll hold onto hope that Gamefreak realizes that now with actual competition around, they're going to actually have to make something good instead of just releasing a half baked product and hope the Pokemon name holds up.
seacliff
-Turns out to be January just like Arceus was.
lecorbak
I'm going to be "that guy", but yeah, will we get a 5th shitty rushed pokémon game in a row ?
and if yes, will the people still buy it because they are sheeps ? (see gen 9 sales)
will it cost more than 200 dollars to get the full experience like scarlet/violet ?
will it still have the super bad attack animations, the glitch festivals, bad textures, clipping, etc… ?
I feel like they announced it without having anything for now just so that people stop caring about Palworld because they are afraid that people are going to forget about Pokémon.
it's been since sword/shield I haven't bought a pokémon game and I feel like I ain't gonna buy this one, despite gen 6 being my favorite of all.
lecorbak
Note : I'm not trying to be negative, I'm just pessimist about what Game Freak can deliver as a game nowadays.
downer
Mate, loads of folks are "that guy" these days, at least online. Not exactly a hot take.
Onyxsbayne
Tbf, release is slated for 2025, so I feel like they could be taking their time with this one. Maybe they’ve learned with SV, but this is just me hoping. I really enjoyed Legends Arceus, it had a few performance issues but it was still a damn good game
The Christmas Pyro
SPOILERS: it's gonna be a broken, unfinished mess that looks like a small Wii era indie title, and it's gonna sell 20 million copies in the first week.
Pokejoseph64
Ok I’ll admit that was actually a damn good swerve
Lonefirebearer
Pokémon Legends Oui.