For years, the Pokémon series has never missed a beat, releasing a new game or downloadable content nearly every year. That streak continues with Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which launched on October 16.

Like most Pokémon games, Z-A lets players explore a region, catch and train creatures, and battle their way to the top as Pokémon Champion. Pokémon come in 18 types, such as fire, water, grass, and electric. Each type has strengths and weaknesses that turn every battle into a strategic puzzle. Some Pokémon evolve once or twice as they grow stronger, trading cute designs for more powerful forms.

Twelve years ago, Pokémon X and Y introduced “Mega Evolution,” a special transformation that gave certain Pokémon an extra boost in power and style. Megas were impressive and powerful, adding new depth to competitive play, but the feature disappeared after just one generation. Until now.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A serves as a direct sequel to X and Y, set entirely within Lumiose City, five years after the events of the prior game. The once-glamorous, Paris-inspired capital is now under heavy reconstruction. A company called Quasartico Inc. is leading a massive redevelopment project to rebuild the city and create a future where humans and Pokémon can live in harmony. Elevated walkways, green “Wild Zones,” and gleaming towers fill the skyline, blending nature with technology.

You play as a newcomer to the city, starting your adventure with a backpack, a blank Pokédex, and a choice of starter Pokémon: Chikorita (grass type), Tepig (fire type), or Totodile (water type). Your rival, Urbain or Taunie depending on your trainer’s gender, joins you early on as both friend and competition.

The main conflict centers on strange outbreaks of “Rogue Mega Evolutions,” Pokémon that Mega Evolve uncontrollably and wreak havoc on the city. With help from a companion character, players must defeat these rampaging creatures. Victories reward you with Mega Stones, allowing your own Pokémon to Mega Evolve. Each encounter offers a fresh challenge. One Rogue Mega might charge a massive beam attack, while another rains down spikes. During battle, collecting glowing orbs even lets you Mega Evolve more than one Pokémon at once.

Another major goal is climbing the city’s leaderboard, from Rank Z all the way to Rank A. Win nighttime Battle Royale matches to earn “Challenger’s Tickets,” which let you challenge ranking opponents. Reach the top, and the city will grant you one wish.

Despite having a smaller map than past games, Lumiose City is packed with activity. You can relax at cafés with your Pokémon, compete in nightly Battle Royale tournaments for coins, or climb scaffolds and rooftops to find hidden treasures. Completing side quests earns valuable rewards, and new Wild Zones unlock as you progress. The new battle system is fun and refreshing. Instead of the usual turn based system, Z-A uses a real time battle systems. This way of battle feels like the anime and is easy to master. The characters were written amazingly as well, as they could be relatable and made the story-line more engaging.

However, Z-A is not without flaws. The game’s difficulty is on the lighter side, since healing items are everywhere and you can Mega Evolve multiple Pokémon in a single battle, making fights feel too easy. There is also no true villain, something fans have missed in recent titles.

Visually, some players have criticized the city’s building designs, saying the flat, picture-like windows look lazy. Still, the graphics don’t hurt the gameplay, and more detailed models could’ve caused performance issues anyway. Others say a few new Pokémon designs look awkward, but the 26 new Mega Evolutions cover plenty of designs, from goofy to weird.

In the end, Pokémon Legends: Z-A earns a strong 8 out of 10. Its map may be smaller, but every alley hides a secret or side quest. The story moves quickly, the battles feel fresh and the return of Mega Evolution is an enjoyable staple. It is not the toughest Pokémon adventure, and it may not have a deep villain arc, but it’s packed with charm, action and heart. Whether you are exploring rooftops or chasing down glowing orbs, Z-A proves the Pokémon legacy can evolve while still providing a thrill to the next generation of players.