ZA sets a virtually impossible bar for Gen 10 to clear

Pokemon Legends: ZA has been out for a while now and fans are talking about their favorite parts of the game. While some have praised the vibrant Lumiose City environment, the unique real-time combat elements, and the many new Mega Evolutions introduced in the game, many have focused their praise on the title's characters. Pokemon Legends: ZAs characters are unique and multi-layered, with a variety of motivations and opinions that elevate them above the often cookie-cutter Gym Leaders and Elite Four members of the past. Pokémonpp the tenth generation has a high bar to clear if it hopes to match Legends: ZApp well rounded characters.

Many Legends: ZA characters have quickly become fan favorites

Jacinthe, everything wrong with Lumiose City, created character

As Legends: Arceus before that, Legends: ZA ditches the “earn gym badges” plot in favor of an overarching narrative, filled with astonishing Pokémon reveals, about investigating mysterious phenomena affecting Lumiose City. As players progress through the game, they encounter a variety of characters who have become fan favorites for various reasons. These include:

Urban/Taunie, who is popular for his cheerful attitude, close relationship with the player and genuinely challenging battles.
Jacinthe, who is popular for her cute looks, offbeat personality, surprising love of combat, and role in hidden post-game content.
Mable, who is appreciated for her role as the game's professor and her unique status as a reformed ex-Team Flare member.
Corbeau, who fans are drawn to for his quirky behavior, memorable looks and interesting backstory.

Mable in the Pokemon Research Lab - Pokemon Legends ZA

These are just some of them Legends ZA characters that fans have expressed their fondness for since the game's release. Naveen, the clothing designer, returns Pokemon X and Y character A-Z, streamer and mascot from the Colorful Screw side-content Canari, enthusiastic Fist of Justice member Ivor and more have all developed devoted fan bases among Pokémon player.

Love a character in one Pokémon The game is nothing new — Scarlet and Violets Permanently exhausted salaryman Larry became one of the franchise's most beloved characters, and many former gym leaders, Elite Four members, villains, and more have earned love from fans. But Legends ZA characters feel developed in a way that few other games' actors do. Players get to know their motives, their story, and their interactions with each other. They're more than just a Pokémon trainer faces in battle (although Legends ZA have them in the form of some of the early ZA Royale opponents).

Generation 10 may struggle to replicate this, but it should try

It will be difficult for a main line Pokémon game to replicate Legends ZApp success with their characters. Because of its more substantial story and singular setting, the characters can feel cohesive in a way Pokémon casts rarely can: they all live in Lumiose City, most know each other, and many share the same goals. They have rivalries, friendships and opinions about each other, from Corbeau's distance from Jacinthe to Canari and Gwynn's growing bond. They interact with the player beyond a single battle, and through a combination of the main story, side quests, cutscenes, and post-game content, the player really gets to know each of them.

It is difficult to develop Gym Leaders or Elite Four members in the same way. They are usually scattered over a large geographical area, do not have much contact with each other beyond their shared profession, and interact with the player briefly and only occasionally reappear. Many gym leaders from previous generations got most of their character development from Pokémon anime, especially those that got to travel with the main character Ash Ketchum, like Brock, Misty and Iris.

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It would be worth it for Gen 10 though Pokémon games with richer character development and cast interactions alike Legends ZA. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet took steps in that direction with its Team Star story and the main characters' journey into Area Zero. Generation 10 could learn from Legends ZA and has even more rounded and compelling characters for players to get to know.