Get ready, trainers! "Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A" is set to drop tomorrow, October 16, 2025, and the reviews are already pouring in. The game has landed an average score of 81 on the renowned review aggregator Metacritic, based on 45 critic reviews, earning it a "generally favorable" reception. 
Most critics agree that "Z-A" carries on the innovative spirit of "Pokémon LEGENDS Arceus," showcasing Game Freak's long-awaited experimental ambition through its fresh combat system and dense urban exploration. However, some outlets pointed out that the visual presentation and content depth still have room for improvement.
VGC, for instance, awarded a perfect 10, hailing "Z-A" as "an adventure that once again proves Game Freak's most creative."
The outlet noted that the game "deeply understands its audience, feeling like a love letter to the 'X/Y' generation and veteran players alike." The review specifically praised the newly introduced "Rampant Mega Evolution" system, describing it as "over-the-top and incredibly fun." While late-game combat might still lean on the easier side, the overall pacing was deemed addictive. VGC believes that if this level of creativity continues, the "LEGENDS" series could become the most exciting branch of Pokémon's future. 
RPG Site gave it a solid 9, reflecting on the series' evolution and stating that "Arceus" already showed the Pokémon world could accommodate titles like "Stadium," and "Z-A" is the realization of that potential.
They emphasized that Pokémon evolves when the development team is allowed to experiment, and "Z-A" is a symbol of that spirit. The outlet also expressed hope for more "LEGENDS" titles exploring different worldviews in the future, rather than just remakes of older games.
GamesRadar+ scored it an 8, highlighting that "Z-A" delivers "a genuine slice-of-life Pokémon experience." The review described the game's anime-style real-time combat system and a narrative that crafts a "warm and authentic slice of life."
However, GamesRadar+ cautioned that with Lumiose City as the sole primary setting, extended play might lead to some environmental repetition, but still concluded it's "a world worth getting lost in." 
ComicBook also gave an 8, calling it "a genuinely fun title." While elements like platforming felt a bit clunky, the overall pacing was smooth. The outlet also noted that "Z-A"'s main story is more direct than "Scarlet and Violet," yet it still boasts plenty of side quests and hidden elements to keep players engaged long after completion.
IGN Italia rated it 7.5, stating it's "not a complete revolution, but still an excellent Pokémon game." They highlighted that "Z-A"'s new combat system and the return of Mega Evolution add depth to battles, and the familiar setting makes it friendly for newcomers.
However, the outlet pointed out that the game's visuals still fall short, likely due to cross-generational development and the limitations of the Switch hardware. Despite this, IGN Italia found the performance stable and good, calling it "a long-overdue highlight for the series," but lamented that "it had the potential to be even more outstanding." 
In contrast, Eurogamer offered a more conservative 6, finding Lumiose City's design somewhat lacking, but praised "Z-A" for being "more focused and humorous than recent entries," calling it "a return to fun."
Eurogamer stated that while it still hasn't reached ideal standards, amidst the recent controversies surrounding the Pokémon series, "Z-A" at least "offers a glimmer of hope."
Overall, "Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A" delivers a stable performance, successfully blending nostalgic elements with innovative design. International critics largely commend its revamped combat system, deep urban exploration, and its continuation of the series' spirit, seeing it as a step for Game Freak to regain its creative courage. While there are still some shortcomings in visuals and pacing, the overall reception for "Z-A" proves that the potential of the "Pokémon LEGENDS" series is far from exhausted.
via： Metacritic