Highlights

  • Pokemon Legends Z-A's trailer presents an urban setting in Lumiose City which could lead to roller skates returning as a traversal mechanic.
  • Pokemon X and Y featured roller skates as a speedy and stylish alternative to walking, so it would make sense to bring them back in Z-A.
  • High-speed skates could enhance land exploration in Z-A while tying into the Kalos region's reputation for fashion and Z-A's futuristic aesthetic.

In the time since Pokemon Legends Z-A was officially announced, fans have already been clamoring for more information on the title. Its trailer paints an interesting picture of what's to come in its release, and while its Lumiose City setting might be divisive for some, there is a lot of promise for how Z-A will update on the gimmicks found in Gen 6's Kalos region. The return of Mega Evolutions is a standout so far, though beyond the title's combat loop, there are questions regarding how the game will lean into its different traversal mechanics.

Because Pokemon Legends Z-A is taking the route of using Lumiose City as its entire setting, the way it will handle its traversal is likely to be a unique approach to the series' past. Not having a full region to explore means that the game's terrain will be mostly urban, though there are a few ways that the city could replicate parks and other rural areas within its confines. Whether Lumiose takes a partially or fully open-world approach is yet to be confirmed, though regardless of this approach, it's a near certainty that most of its exploration will be on land. Because of this, Kalos' roller skating gimmick could be an apt feature to bring back, which would benefit from the futuristic aesthetics that Legends Z-A is taking on.

Pokemon Legends Z-A- 7 Mechanics From Legends Arceus It Should Keep
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Pokemon Legends Z-A: 7 Mechanics From Legends Arceus It Should Keep

With Pokemon Legends Z-A announced for 2025, let's take a look at the mechanics that the game should keep from Pokemon Legends Arceus.

How Pokemon Legends Z-A Could Put a Futuristic Spin on Roller Skating

Building From Kalos' Roller Skating Framework

Pokemon X and Y featured a few Rideable Pokemon along with the standard walking and biking options, though their addition of roller skating was a novel approach to the titles' traversal mechanics. The gimmick allowed for players to move at faster speeds than walking, while expanding their range of movement and giving them the chance to perform tricks. If Legends Z-A chooses to reintroduce the gimmick into its futuristic Lumiose City setting, then, much like the upgraded nature of its city redevelopment plan, the feature could lean into digital aesthetics to modernize its framework. A futuristic pair of skates could make traversing a quick and fun process, helping to diversify Legends Z-A's land exploration.

It's unclear just how futuristic this new version of Lumiose City will be, as fans continue to speculate on when Legends Z-A will take place. If this version of Lumiose is one distant from the city X and Y players are familiar with, then it wouldn't be far-fetched to see enhancements in technology that go beyond even The Indigo Disk's Terarium. The inclusion of high-speed skates could mirror that of Scarlet and Violet's Miraidon, where the use of jet energy might be used to propel the player forward. Such a feature would be interesting to see applied to Z-A's land traversal, as it could allow players to move at speeds as fast as in Gen 9 while maintaining a good level of maneuverability.

Tying Roller Skating into Legends Z-A's Fashion

High-speed skates would also be a wonderful feature to drive home Legends Z-A's fashion, as Pokemon Legends Z-A is brimming with potential for outfit customization. Pokemon Legends did a wonderful job of bringing the old-world charm of Hisui into its clothing, and with X and Y setting a strong precedent for its fashionable wardrobe choices, Legends Z-A could hone in even more on this element. Classic French fashion mixed with cyberpunk flair could make the title the best yet in its customization, and the opportunity to shop for different roller skates could mirror this versatility. Not only might this affect the color and style of the skates, but they could even add particle effects as the player moves around.

It remains to be seen whether Pokemon Legends Z-A will adopt the Kalos traversal gimmick of roller skating. However, given the respect that the title is already paying to Lumiose City, such a feature wouldn't be hard to imagine, working as both an homage and an inventive take on its source material. Legends Z-A has many options it can take to appeal to fans of Gen 6 and newcomers alike. It will be interesting to see what direction it takes in regard to its traversal and other aspects of Kalos' lore, though with a release set for 2025, there's plenty of time for more information to be revealed.