I adore turn-based RPGs. From the classic Pokemon games we’ve all known and loved over the years to the likes of Octopath Traveler, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Persona 5: Royal, I’ve never tired of the format. However, after 20 minutes of playing Pokemon Legends: Z-A, I’m convinced that real-time action could be the way forward for the series.
Back in 2013, I spent over 300 hours exploring everything that Pokemon X and Y had to offer. Almost 12 full years later, as I run around the streets of the Kalos region’s Lumiose City, with its iconic Eiffel Tower-esque Gym shining in the background on Nintendo Switch 2, it feels like coming home.
I choose you
When you’re given just 20 minutes to play the new real-time Pokemon game, however, there’s not much time for sightseeing. Although I could have spent hours losing myself in the nostalgia, the real highlight is obviously trying out the new battle system, which genuinely took me aback by how different it is.
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Key info
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Release date: October 16, 2025
Fighting alongside my trusty Chikorita (thankful that this demo has blessed me with the best starter Pokemon), I quickly find that even against low-level enemies, nothing feels like a pushover. Gone are the days of blasting through weak trainers in one hit, everything now requires you to be fully engaged in the action.
Battles are now fast and frantic. There’s no time to waste sitting around and contemplating options when attacks are being sent in your direction whether you like it or not – no politely waiting for turns here. The controls are easy to grasp, with lock-on and roll buttons standing as the most important things in your new arsenal – along with your actual attack buttons, of course.
I pointed it out when we first saw gameplay for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and after playing, I feel the same – the new battle UI is very reminiscent of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 3 thanks to its cooldown system to stop you from mercilessly pelting foes. From what I played, cooldown times are fast – I can’t say I was ever standing around, waiting with nothing to do while I waited for a move to become available, but I did find that the process had me making the most of my entire moveset at all times.
In Pokemon games of the past, it’s easy to get your hands on one go-to move like Earthquake or Surf and spam it. Here though, it seems much more worthwhile to constantly rotate between every move in your Pokemon’s arsenal (including status moves like buffs and debuffs) to make sure you’re hitting your foes with everything you’ve got.