Pokemon Legends: Z-A Can Atone for Scarlet and Violet’s Biggest Sin

Published 3 days ago

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With Pokemon Legends: Z-A soon to be the go-to mainline Pokemon game when it releases in October, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and the Paldea Region will be in the rear-view mirror. For nearly three years, Scarlet and Violet carried the torch for the franchise, and it seems fitting that the torch is being passed to Pokemon Legends: Z-A and the Kalos Region, given the two regions' proximity to one another. However, this exchange only highlights the missed opportunity that Scarlet and Violet had to incorporate Kalos in a bigger way, one that Legends: Z-A may be teed up to capitalize on.

Although players will be limited to Lumiose City in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Kalos' vibrant culture can already be seen on display through pre-release trailers and screenshots. Lumiose City is already bustling with Pokemon from all over the region, as well as a diverse range of environments and activities for players to participate in, including fashion and detective work. With Lumiose City being a melting pot of Kalos' culture, it only seems natural that this hub would be home to Paldean culture as well, righting one of Scarlet and Violet's biggest wrongs.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Can Bring Kalos and Paldea Together in a Way Scarlet and Violet Didn't

Pokemon Legends Z-A - overview trailer screenshot

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Fumbled a Major Opportunity to Reference Kalos

Given that Paldea is based on real-world Spain and Kalos is based on real-world France, it seemed like a no-brainer that the two regions would share a connection in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. However, the references to the Kalos Region in Scarlet and Violet were few and far between, with critters originating from Kalos in the Paldean Pokedex making up the bulk of the two regions' ties, including:

Fletchling
Fletchinder
Talonflame
Scatterbug
Spewpa
Vivillon
Flabebe
Floette
Florges
Goomy
Sliggoo
Goodra
Sylveon
Dedenne
Skiddo
Gogoat
Litleo
Pyroar
Klefki
Hawlucha
Noibat
Noivern
Skrelp
Dragalge
Clauncher
Clawitzer
Bergmite
Avalugg

More Kalos Pokemon eventually made their way into Scarlet and Violet via the Teal Mask and Indigo Disk DLCs.

These Gen 6 critters are largely the extent of the Kalos representation in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Despite bordering each other, players are never able to travel to the Kalos Region, though some speculated the games would get Kalos DLC before the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero was announced. Although some Kalos mons like Hawlucha, Gogoat, Noibat, and Noivern can be found near the two regions' border, players can never actually cross into the Kalos Region itself.

Paldean Culture Will Likely Be on Display in Legends: Z-A

Pokemon Legends: Z-A can go above and beyond simply including Gen 9 mons in Lumiose City and really make the two regions feel geographically and culturally connected. Fashion is a big part of both regions' identities, and with Legends: Z-A doubling down on trainer customization options, featuring Paldean icons like Iono or Tulip on fashion brands seems like a clear way to connect the two regions. Similarly, Lumiose City is home to a vibrant art scene, so including works by a Paldean artist like Brassius would be another nice reference.

Pokemon Legends Z-A Will Have A More Mature Storyline

With Pokemon Legends: Z-A being confined to Lumiose City, it's unlikely that players will get to venture to Paldea, let alone the rest of the Kalos Region. However, the different zones the city has been segmented into hold the potential to create distinct cultural regions within the greater city. For example, there may be a "Paldea District" that features architecture from Scarlet and Violet, with a Wild Zone full of native Paldean critters. While this direction might not completely satisfy fans who still want to see two playable regions in the same game, it would at least help bring the world of Pokemon together and build bridges between two major regions.