Unveiling the Mystery: When Pokémon Legends: Z-A Takes Place in the Pokémon Universe
When the highly anticipated Pokémon Legends: Z-A was unveiled, fans eagerly speculated about its place in the Pokémon timeline. While we knew it was set in Lumiose City from the Kalos region of Pokémon X and Y, the expectation was that it would be set far in the future, possibly hundreds of years later, following the time-traveling narrative of Legends: Arceus. But, as it turns out, our assumptions were wrong!
After hands-on experience with the game, we can confirm that Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes place a mere five years after the events of X and Y. This revelation is a significant departure from the time-traveling narrative we anticipated, making it a direct sequel that offers a follow-up to the characters and situations introduced in the earlier games.
For instance, players will once again interact with AZ, the 3,000-year-old man who played a pivotal role in X and Y. Mable, a former member of Team Flare, takes on the role of Pokémon professor, sending players out on Pokémon-catching adventures with various challenges. Other familiar characters from X and Y will also appear, some with dramatic changes, but we're keeping those details under wraps for now.
The revelation that Legends: Z-A is a direct sequel is a game-changer for the Pokémon universe. Over the years, the franchise has been somewhat vague about the relationships between different games and regions. While there have been direct sequels (like Gold and Silver after Red and Blue, and Black and White 2 after Black and White), later games introduced time travel (Legends: Arceus) and alternative universes (Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire). Every game has hinted at the existence of the same world, but the events in different games are often considered non-canon.
The Pokémon timeline, if mapped out, might even surpass the complexity of the Zelda timeline. However, the naming of Legends: Z-A as a sequel to X and Y should have been a clear indicator of its direct connection to the earlier games. It's a refreshing change to see a straightforward sequel, offering a logical and satisfying continuation of the X and Y story.
For those eager to explore, my review of Pokémon Legends: Z-A is now live, providing insights into my first 24 hours with the game. A full review is on the way next week. Additionally, I've been writing about the interesting twist in Z-A where the Nurse Joy job is open to individuals who don't look exactly like the original Nurse Joy, after 27 years in the game.
Rebekah Valentine, a senior reporter for IGN, invites readers to engage with her on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. For story tips, reach out to rvalentine@ign.com.
