Pokémon Legends: Z-A Is Definitely Not an Open-World Game

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Many Pokémon fans hoped for a truly open-world game, and *Pokémon Scarlet and Violet* tried something new. Unlike previous games that guided you step-by-step through each town, *Scarlet and Violet* let you explore freely. While this had both good and bad points, it made fans wonder if this open style was the future of the series. *Pokémon Legends: Z-A* doesn’t really answer that question, as it’s a bit different from the main games. However, it’s clear that this new game isn’t taking the open-world approach.

So, we already knew *Pokemon Legends: Z-A* was going to be entirely set in Lumiose City, but I was really wondering how that would actually *feel* in the game. How big would it be, and how would we get around? After finally getting to play a bit of it, I can say that this game is really shaking up how we explore compared to other Pokemon games. And honestly? I think it’s a really good change. It feels different, and in a good way!

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Breaks The City into Zones

As a big Pokémon fan, I’m really excited for *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*. From the gameplay I’ve seen, it looks like exploring the world will feel different than in previous games. The city is divided into specific areas for different activities. You’ll need to actively choose to enter these zones, which separates open-world exploration from things like Pokémon battles and catching Pokémon.

You can find and catch wild Pokemon in special areas around the city called Wild Zones. These zones are easy to spot on the in-game map – you simply walk up and choose to enter one. Be warned, though: some of the wild Pokemon in these areas are aggressive and will immediately start a battle! Entering a Wild Zone feels similar to encountering tall grass in the original Pokemon games, where you never knew what Pokemon might appear and challenge you.

Okay, so every night, a special Battle Royale zone opens up, and that’s where the trainer tournament happens. I didn’t explore much, but it seems like you only battle other trainers *inside* this zone, not all over Lumiose City. It only shows up at night, so you’ve gotta find where it is and head in to join. Once you’re in there, any trainer can challenge you if they see you – or you can try to ambush *them* if you’re sneaky!

Honestly, playing this game feels really different than *Scarlet & Violet*, and even *Pokemon Legends: Arceus*. I’m expecting we’ll still get some freedom to roam around, but the way they’re breaking things up into specific zones is a new approach. Whether it works or not will depend on how well it all comes together, but it could be a good thing. A lot of people thought *Scarlet & Violet*’s open world felt a little empty, so focusing Pokemon and trainers into smaller, packed areas might be exactly what this game needs.

Lumiose City Felt Bigger Than I Expected… And I’ve Barely Seen It

Beyond its distinct areas, what makes the world of *Pokemon Legends: Z-A* interesting? Many Pokemon fans, myself included, were worried about the game being set in just one city. A big part of what makes Pokemon enjoyable is the feeling of journeying and discovering new places. While dividing the city into zones helps prevent it from feeling empty, what other features bring the world of *Z-A* to life?

Okay, so my recent playthrough was… challenging. Lots of trips to the Pokémon Center, let me tell you! But when I *could* actually explore, the world felt really alive. Lumiose City, especially, reminded me of wandering around Midgar in *Final Fantasy 7 Remake*. It’s cool how you’re mostly stuck in the city, but there’s so much to climb on – ladders, rooftops, scaffolding – and tons of little hidden spots. It makes the city feel way bigger than it is, which is a huge improvement over some older Pokémon games that just felt like a bunch of hallways connected together.

It’s hard to say how Lumiose City will feel after playing for a while, but my first impression is that this Pokémon map is much more lively and interactive than recent games. This makes me hopeful that moving away from a truly open world is a good direction for future games. We don’t want the next generation limited to a single city, but *Legends: Z-A* seems to be showing how to create more engaging and interactive spaces in the next main series Pokémon game.

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2025-09-24 19:14