Pokémon Legends ZA brings a fresh experience to the Pokémon franchise, offering a departure from traditional turn-based combat in favor of more action-oriented battles. For those of us who have followed the franchise for years, it's clear that Game Freak is attempting to push boundaries, but some issues have surfaced, especially with the game's graphics and overall polish. If you're considering diving into this new title, here’s a closer look at what you should expect.

One of the key selling points of Pokémon Legends ZA is its revamped combat system, which replaces the classic turn-based approach with more dynamic, real-time action. This may appeal to younger players and newcomers to the series who are looking for something more engaging than the traditional format. However, while the combat mechanics show promise, the visual design of the game has not lived up to expectations.

The Graphic Disappointment

Despite the excitement surrounding the game's new mechanics, the graphics leave much to be desired. For a game that costs around 60 euros, players expect a more polished experience. Unfortunately, the game feels like it’s stuck in the past, with some areas featuring flat textures and poorly rendered environments. Many fans have been vocal about the lack of texture detail, especially in areas like windows and background objects, which appear as flat PNG images.

It’s disappointing to see such low-quality graphics in a game that, despite the criticisms, is still priced as a full AAA title. Whether you’re playing on the original Switch or the newer Switch 2, the issues with textures persist, and the resolution only slightly improves in the latter. This stark contrast between gameplay expectations and technical execution has left many players feeling underwhelmed.

Pokémon Legends ZA’s Performance on Different Consoles

Interestingly, while the graphics are lackluster, the game does perform well in terms of smoothness. On the Switch 2, the game runs at an impressive frame rate, with minimal drops even at 120Hz. However, this high performance seems to come at the cost of detailed textures, as the game appears to be more reliant on basic, flat images to maintain its fluidity.

Switch 1 players, unfortunately, will have a less-than-ideal experience. The game still suffers from the same graphical issues, but it does struggle with some frame rate dips and resolution inconsistencies. The overall experience, regardless of which version of the Switch you own, leaves much to be desired when it comes to visual quality.

The 3D Model Failures

Another significant problem arises in the game’s 3D model handling. Some areas feature extremely low-resolution models, particularly in outdoor environments, which makes them feel disconnected from the rest of the world. Players have pointed out that certain buildings and structures appear lifeless, with flat textures and a lack of environmental interaction that should be expected in an open-world game like this.

Moreover, in what can only be described as a baffling design choice, the game features a glaringly obvious graphical flaw in one area: a set of walls that change textures abruptly, almost as if unfinished. This has become a point of ridicule within the community, as the attempt to cover up these design mistakes with in-game objects like boxes only makes it more apparent that the game wasn’t ready for release.

Is Pokémon Legends ZA Worth Buying?

While the game's mechanics may hold some appeal, especially for fans of action-based gameplay, its visual flaws significantly hinder the overall experience. If you are someone who’s already invested in the Pokémon franchise and wants to try out the latest offering, you might want to wait for future patches and updates that could address these issues. Alternatively, if you are someone who’s only interested in the newest Pokémon adventure, you might find it more worthwhile to wait until the game undergoes some much-needed improvements.

For those looking to enhance their Pokémon Legends ZA experience or even catch some exclusive shiny Pokémon, there are options to buy shiny Pokémon directly from sources like U4GM. Some players may choose to buy legends ZA shiny to avoid the grind and experience the game with more rare Pokémon right from the start.

In conclusion, while Pokémon Legends ZA offers a fresh approach to gameplay mechanics, its technical shortcomings and disappointing graphics make it a difficult recommendation at full price. If you decide to buy shiny Pokémon to make your adventure easier, ensure you’re getting the best value for your money. The game still has potential, but it's currently being held back by a lack of polish and attention to detail.