Summary
After accepting the 2024 Famitsu Dengeki Award for Most Anticipated Game of 2025, Game Freak developer Haruka Tochigi confirmed he is the game director ofPokemon Legends: Z-A. Tochigi added thatPokemon Legends: Z-Awas in the “final fine-tuning phase” of internal development, and thanked fans for their continued support and patience.
Pokemon Legends: Z-Awill take players back to Lumiose City, in the heart of the Kalos region. Like its predecessor,Pokemon Legends: Arceus, players will explore various open zones to catch and battle wild Pokemon and other trainers throughout Lumiose’s streets and parks.Pokemon Legends: Z-Awill also change how battles work, as Pokemon moves will be on short cooldowns and some attacks can be dodged with quick timing.Pokemon Legends: Z-Aalso heralds the return of Mega Evolution as a battle gimmick. Howmany new Mega Evolution forms will jointhe pre-existing roster remains to be seen.
WhilePokemon Legends: Z-Aremains in active development at Game Freak, the game’s director has confirmed their role in the project. After accepting the Most Anticipated Game of 2025 Award from Famitsu Dengeki, Tochigi thankedPokemonfans for their support in a statement translated and shared by Twitter user Lewchube.Pokemon Legends: Z-Ais Tochigi’s first game director project, having beenwith the franchise sincePokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphireas the lead 3D map graphics designer. His most recent contribution was as the 3D Visual Section Director forPokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Game Director Is A First-Time Lead
Tochigi stated thatPokemon Legends: Z-Awill incorporate new battle mechanics and use Lumiose’s environment to introduce different gameplay elements. Tochigi said thatPokemon Legends: Z-Ais in the “final fine-tuning phase” of development, but stopped short of revealing a precise release date.
At the time of writing,Pokemon Legends: Z-Awill arrive sometime in 2025. Along with having a first-time game director in charge,Pokemon Legends: Z-Awill mark another first for the ongoing series. According to the game’s website,Pokemon Legends: Z-Awill have an ESRB ratingof Everyone 10+ (E10+) for Fantasy Violence, a step up from the usual Everyone (E) rating that the mainline series usually gets. Only time will tell how the story and the content ofPokemon Legends: Z-Awill be presented to warrant the increased rating.
Between the faster pace of combat and the return of Mega Evolution,Pokemon Legends: Z-Aremains one of Nintendo’smost-anticipated games of 2025. How Tochigi’s design choices will win players over remains to be seen.
