Z-A’s New Night Mechanics Desperately Need This Feature

In a recent Nintendo Direct presentation, players got another glimpse of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, which promises to bring a fresh spin on the beloved series. This new trailer highlighted some exciting features returning to the scene, such as Mega Evolutions and opportunities for exploration atop the rooftops of the iconic Lumiose City. However, one intriguing addition to this latest installment is the introduction of a mysterious night-time tournament. Building on the previous trailer’s teaser, where the Rotom Phone glowing at night seemed to suggest something more, it’s now clear that players can look forward to engaging in battle royale-style trainer battles as the sun sets.

This innovative twist on the familiar day-and-night dynamic seen in past Pokemon games marks a significant departure from its predecessor, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which offered only a limited number of trainer encounters. In contrast, Pokemon Legends: Z-A introduces a robust tournament system where players strive to climb from Rank Z to A, battling it out in a thrilling competition akin to battle royale games. This fresh take injects new life into the series, but it could reach new heights with one additional feature: online multiplayer.

The potential for Pokemon Legends: Z-A truly shines with the integration of Mega Evolutions into these battles, keeping the gameplay exciting and engaging. As battling takes center stage in this game, it stands to reason that incorporating an online component would significantly enhance the experience. Imagine players dropping into Lumiose City at night to engage in spontaneous one-on-one duels with other trainers, all of whom are real, live opponents instead of AI.

Such a setup naturally lends itself to a proper PvP tournament setting, where Lumiose City serves as a sprawling battle arena. An online ranking system, complete with rewards for climbing from Rank Z to A, would add a compelling layer of competitiveness. While PvP battles aren’t new to the Pokemon universe, Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s dynamic battling concepts promise a unique twist. Unlike the traditional double battles of VGC, which rely on stable, turn-based combat, this game breaks away with more fluid and lively encounters, offering something truly novel.

Taking its cues from Elden Ring’s Nightreign, Pokemon Legends: Z-A could infuse its battle royale mode with shrinking battlefields within Lumiose City, pushing players towards a dramatic showdown until only one competitor stands victorious. This dynamic setup not only bolsters player engagement but introduces new strategic elements, capturing what makes other battle royale games successful while maintaining the distinct charm of the Pokemon franchise.

Launching Pokemon Legends: Z-A with multiplayer capabilities could address not just one, but two significant opportunities—testing a new battling system and pioneering a battle royale mode in the Pokemon universe. While these concepts might exist in a form in PLZA through trainer battles, enabling true player-versus-player competition could set new standards for future installments. Although it’s still uncertain whether Pokemon Legends: Z-A will feature online functionality, previous games like PLA incorporated limited online features, leaving fans hopeful. However, whether this hope translates into a full-blown PvP battle royale experience remains to be seen.