In “Yakuza: Like a Dragon,” Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio poked fun of “Pokemon,” creating a spoof of the iconic scene in which Professor Oak asked the hero to choose a starting pocket monster before venturing out in the world. This “Sujimon” minigame nudged players to find all the different enemy types in the world and beat them all.

With its latest entry in the series, “Pokemon Legends: Z-A,” Game Freak seems to be returning the favor. The team that works on the main series games has used the sub-series to experiment with new ideas in an effort to break out of the franchise mold. In “Pokemon Legends: Arceus,” the team introduced Alpha Pokemon and a more complex combat system that incorporated styles and trainer positioning along with an unusual storyline that took place in the past.

A BIG DEPARTURE
“Pokemon Legends: Z-A” is more radical. It takes place five years after the events of “Pokemon X” and “Pokemon Y” as players take on the role of Paxton (the male hero) or Harmony (the female hero) who is visiting a Lumiose City under reconstruction. When exiting the train, the customizable character ends up roped in a fiasco, where players display they have a talent for battling Pokemon.

Taunie, the leader of Team MZ, notices that ability and invites Paxton to stay at Hotel Z, which is run by AZ, the 3,000-year-old king from ancient Kalos, and his remarkable Pokemon, a Floette. Players end up joining Taunie’s crew, which includes Lida and Naveen as they try to move up the ranks of citywide competition called the Royale Z-A. It’s run by the Quasartico corporation, but the contest has ulterior motives.

Players quickly learn that the company is trying to find the strongest trainers to deal with the problem of Rogue Mega Evolutions happening around Lumiose City. Players investigate the phenomenon while also calming down Pokemon afflicted with the condition.

Players will meet several characters as they work their way up the ranks in “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” to earn A status. (Nintendo) 

SHADES OF ‘YAKUZA’
It’s a narrative that strays from the typical formula. The reason for that is, like “Yakuza,” “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” is self-contained story that takes place within city streets. For all intents and purposes, Lumoise City is Game Freak’s version of Kamurocho, Ryu Ga Gooku Studio’s take on the real-life red light district in Tokyo. The only problem with this is that the Paris-inspired is city not as detailed or as lively.

Much of that has to do with the map design, which feels boring with players unable to enter a majority of buildings, and the layout being two flat layers — rooftops and streets. Lumiose City lacks the organic nature and chaos of real-life locations and feels more like a planned suburban housing tract.

Another disappointing element is the side quests, which are one of the best parts of the “Yakuza” series. Ryu Ga Gotuku has a talent of compressing heartfelt stories and uproarious comedies with these optional tasks, but “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” never reaches that level. It lacks minigames that would have given different districts more character. The Lumiose City streets feel dead with characters milling about in one place, even during catastrophic emergencies.

The new combat system in “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” does away with turn-based role-playing game mechanics and focuses on more action-oriented fights. (Nintendo) 

VISCERAL COMBAT
That doesn’t mean everything about “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” is bad. Its main story fits well with the game’s mechanics as players mostly catch pocket monsters in the day, and at night, they join the Royale Z-A to earn money and move up the ranks in Battle Zones. Each promotion match is filled with a drama-filled arc and introduces players to a memorable cast of characters, with a strong finale.

The most significant change lies in the overhaul of the combat system, turning “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” into an action role-playing game rather than a traditional turn-based RPG. Now, positioning and movement matter as players send out their pocket monsters, target an adversary with the ZL button, and command the creature to perform one of four attacks tied to the face buttons.

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The moves don’t happen immediately because Pokemon go through start-up animations and cooldowns, but it creates a more visceral feel to combat. This new way to play creates new strategies and pushes players to explore new move-set combinations. Now, moves with the biggest numbers aren’t necessarily the best, but rather ones that are speedy and deal more damage over time have a chance to excel. The developer lets players easily swap moves in and out, making a loadout switch simpler.

It’s a welcome change, but one that can feel clunky, especially when fighting a horde of enemy Pokemon or battling online against other human players in Link Play Ranked Battles. It can also become difficult in boss fights when players also have to take into account the health of the trainer. If Paxton or Harmony are hit too many times, they blackout, and players will have to restart the battle.

Despite its flaws, “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” should be lauded for how it upends the franchise formula using “Yakuza” as a template. It doesn’t do everything well, but the change is important for the franchise because that’s how it can grow and evolve, sometimes in unexpected directions.

‘Pokemon Legends: Z-A’

2½ stars out of 4
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Rating:Everyone 10 and up