It's been a while since my last blog about my special interest Pokémon games. In my last Pokémon-related post I said I'd talk about Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, so I will briefly go over that one before moving on to Pokémon Z-A.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are "ADVENTURES WITH A SANDWICH-LOVING DRAGON MOUNT/BUDDY!"

This game was also meant for the release of the Switch 2, so the graphic quality had to be reduced. Players complained about the quality of the graphics, brilliant glitches reminiscent of games from much older consoles (which I thought were hilarious and part of the charm until the glitches were patched), and the fact that the red dragon buddy (Koraidon) had a set of wheels he didn't even use, choosing instead to gallop and doggie paddle into the sunset. 

I had the time of my life playing that game. The game was more open-world than previous Pokémon games, allowing you the freedom to tackle any mission you wanted first (though unlocking the flying ability of the dragon helped expand the freedom even more). The characters they introduced, along with the chosen story arc was decent, for once. Highly entertaining. The whole game was steeped in Spanish hues, and I will never forget to praise the person who decided to name this Pokémon LECHONK:

Lechonk is, indeed, a chonky (chunky) lechon (lechon meaning "pig" in Spanish). Well, well done, team!

So, the only personally negative thing I had to say about the Scarlet/Violet games was the lack of enough customizable clothing for the player character. But that's not nearly enough of a reason to not recommend this game to everyone WHOLEHEARTEDLY. 

That being said, I have ALSO had the time of my life playing Pokémon Z-A. 

EVERYONE, the FEDORAS are BACK!

...along with nigh full customization, and some incredibly stylish clothing, shoes, and accessories!!

Pokémon Z-A is unique in the series. They shook everything up from combat to controls and general gameplay. In a full-circle moment Pokémon stole a couple of similar mechanics from PalWorld, a game that was heavily inspired by Pokémon Arceus to begin with. But both games are still quite different and entertaining.

While there are characters I absolutely adore in Pokémon Z-A. *cough* Like my beau, Corbeau. *cough*

And the absolutely precious Gwynn.

=

I felt that the bond of the camaraderie between the main player and key characters felt less "natural" and plot-centered in Z-A than it did in Scarlet/Violet. They made the player feel like they were really in it together emotionally in Scarlet/Violet, where-as in Z-A, it feels less like everyone is on even ground with the main player. They put the player on a pedestal, which wasn't the worst as far games go, but it made me miss how more emotionally valued the main player felt to the NPCs in Scarlet/Violet. The player is still highly valued in Z-A but not as emotionally charged. 

All of that aside, Pokémon Z-A exceeded my expectations, which were low due to my sheer enjoyment of Scarlet/Violet.

Both games are equally entertaining and delight your inner child (or inner teen/young adult in the case of Z-A?).