Z-A’s New Night Mechanics Desperately Need This Feature

In the latest Nintendo Direct, a fresh Pokemon Legends: Z-A trailer captured our attention as it teased intriguing features and familiar Pokemon creatures. The trailer spotlighted exploration and Mega Evolutions, showing players navigating the rooftops of Lumiose City. But as the video wrapped up, nighttime mysteries in Pokemon Legends: Z-A began to surface, hinting at a potential night-time tournament. This wasn’t a complete surprise—our last glimpse of the game included a glowing Rotom Phone at night—but now it seems confirmed that after dark, trainers can engage in unique battles.

This nighttime tournament is a clever twist on the traditional day-and-night cycle seen in previous Pokemon games. It adds a layer of excitement beyond what Pokemon Legends: Arceus offered, where trainer battles were limited. In Z-A, the battle system is part of a larger tournament, challenging players to ascend the ranks from Z to A, reminiscent of a battle royale. It’s a fresh direction for Pokemon, though it still lacks a crucial feature to stand out.

The introduction of Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A promises to spice up battles, encouraging players as they compete for rewards by reaching Rank A in the night tournament. Given the emphasis on these battles, incorporating an online element would enhance the game significantly. Imagine spawning in random spots in Lumiose City for one-on-one trainer battles, where each opponent is controlled by another player—not just AI.

The idea is to turn Lumiose City into an arena for an authentic PvP tournament. An online ranking system could track progress, from ranks Z to A, rewarding players with special items or currency. While PvP isn’t new to the franchise, integrating it in this dynamic way would be groundbreaking. Pokemon Legends: Z-A alters the standard battle format, so embracing online player battles would offer a novel experience.

Consider how the dynamic combat system in Legends: Z-A introduces dodging—a mechanic previously unseen in the series, even in PLA. This opens possibilities for PvP battles, drawing parallels to Elden Ring Nightreign’s battle royale design. Imagine the Lumiose City map shrinking as the night progresses, culminating in one player—victorious and rewarded.

Incorporating multiplayer in PLZA would achieve multiple goals. Players would not only experiment with the new battle mechanics but also explore the series’ first-ever battle royale mode. Although PLZA already features intense trainer battles, a true player versus player setup would redefine its scope. Pokemon Legends: Z-A distinguishes itself from PLA in many ways, and its battle-centric approach could elevate it to true “sequel” status. While online functionalities remain unconfirmed, precedent from PLA offers hope. For now, fans await eagerly, pondering the possibilities of a full-fledged PvP battle royale mode.