During today’s Pokemon Presents, it was announced Legends: Z-A will release in late 2025! The TCG schedule was hinting at this later release.
The Starter Pokemon will be Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile.
As part of Lumiose’s urban redevelopment plan, the city has been outfitted with wild zones in an effort to help humans and Pokémon share the city.
In previous Pokemon games, Pokemon took action once per turn. In Legends: Z‑A, Trainers and their Pokémon will move around in real time during battles, and Pokemon will unleash their moves when their Trainers command them to.
Here’s all the details directly from TPCi:
The story is set in Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon. Compared to Lumiose City as it appeared in the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games, released in 2013, more greenery now adorns the city, alongside facilities with a cutting-edge feel.
In Lumiose City, spaces frequented by people—such as shopping arcades, cafés, and restaurants—coexist with more natural areas, such as waterfronts and verdant parks. At the center of Lumiose stands Prism Tower, the very symbol of the city.
The Story Begins with a Sightseeing Trip to Lumiose City…
While visiting Lumiose City during your travels, you’ll come to stay in an old hotel named Hotel Z. This hotel will serve as your base as you and the new friends you’ll meet in Lumiose tackle all sorts of incidents that will occur in the city.
Wild Zones: Habitats for Wild Pokémon
As part of Lumiose’s urban redevelopment plan, driven by a large corporation called Quasartico Inc., the city has been outfitted with “wild zones” in an effort to help humans and Pokémon share the city. These areas are constructed using cutting-edge technology to give Pokémon places to live. Within wild zones, you can battle Pokémon and catch them by throwing Poké Balls.
Make Pokémon Your Allies
You can catch wild Pokémon living in wild zones or out and about in Lumiose City by aiming a Poké Ball at them and letting it fly. If the Pokémon doesn’t pop back out of the ball, you’ve successfully caught it!
Some Pokémon will flee immediately if they spot you, so hide out of sight or approach from behind to make yourself harder to notice. You can also battle Pokémon to lower their HP, making them easier to catch.
A Pokémon Series First: Pokémon and Trainers Take Action in Real Time During Battle
In previous titles in the Pokémon video game series, Pokémon took action once per turn. In Pokémon Legends: Z‑A, Trainers and their Pokémon will move around in real time during battles, and Pokémon will unleash their moves when their Trainers command them to.
In addition to type matchups, there will be new gameplay mechanics to consider, such as the precise timing for swapping out your Pokémon or using moves, the different lengths of time moves will take to launch, and how big an area the moves will impact. This unprecedented style of Pokémon battling is one of the most thrilling parts of this title.
Your Character
After arriving in Lumiose for some sightseeing, you’ll make new friends and tackle all sorts of incidents in the city.
Introducing the First Partner Pokémon
After arriving in Lumiose, certain events will lead you to befriending a Pokémon that will become your adventuring partner, thus beginning your journey as a Pokémon Trainer. Which Pokémon will you set off on your adventure with: Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile?
Urbain / Taunie
You’ll make a friend who lives and works at Hotel Z, supporting the owner however they can. They may come on strong at times, but they like helping people and Pokémon. They’re quite skilled at Pokémon battles too.
The appearance you choose at the beginning of the game will determine whether Urbain or Taunie will appear.
AZ
AZ is a man who stands over nine feet tall. He’s the owner of Hotel Z and claims to be three thousand years old. He quietly harbors a strong determination and will.
Eternal Flower Floette
This unusual Floette looks different from other members of her species and holds a black flower. She’s also said to have lived for three thousand years. She always accompanies AZ.
Jett
Jett is the CEO of Quasartico Inc., a large corporation driving Lumiose’s urban redevelopment plan with the aim of shaping the city into one that belongs to both people and Pokémon. It seems she hopes to deepen the bonds between Pokémon and people.
Vinnie
Vinnie is a large man who wears sunglasses. He works at Quasartico as Jett’s secretary. He always seems busy and has a reputation for being a fast worker.
Zygarde is made up of a multitude of cell-like components, and it changes form depending on how many of these components have gathered together. Its brain is made up of the few existing Zygarde Cores, while the rest of its body is comprised of Zygarde Cells, which are far more plentiful. It seems to have taken a special interest in you… What could its connection to this story be?
Kinda weird they grabbed 2 Johto starters, maybe it's to keep it fair with Hisui? But now nothing for serperior... odd. Nice that chikorita and tepig might get some relevance finally though!
