Summary
With few details revealed about the game thus far, there is a lot of potential withinPokemon Legends: Z-Ato take the franchise in a direction never before seen. Confirmed information such asPokemon Legends: Z-Abeing set entirely within Lumiose City points towards the game having a different feel from past entries, including its predecessor,Pokemon Legends: Arceus. While the game might be headed into uncharted territory for the franchise given its unique setting, it’s pretty safe to assumePokemon Legends: Z-Awon’t be introducing a highly-requested new Eeveelution.
AfterPokemon Legends: Arceus, the floodgates have been opened for the franchise to experiment with new gameplay ideas, andPokemon Legends: Z-Ais in a prime position to take the mechanics ofPokemon Legends: Arceusa step further. Since this is the first time players will be returning toKalos sincePokemon X and Y, it’s likelyPokemon Legends: Z-Awill also incorporate mechanics introduced in the Gen 6 games like the confirmed return of Mega Evolution. However, despite adding the new Eeveelution Sylveon in Gen 6, another new Eeveelution being added to the series is unlikely on this return trip to Kalos.
A New Eeveelution is Unlikely for Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Despite being one of the most popular critters in the franchise, Eevee is not likely to see any new evolutions for the time being. The opportunities to introduce new Eeveelutions have come and gone, with most new evolutions for the mon only being added to teach players about a new evolution method, or a new type, in the case of Umbreon in Gen 2 andSylveon in Gen 6. While it’s possible thatPokemon Legends: Z-Amight add a new evolution method similar toPokemon Legends: Arceus' new evolution methods for mons like Basculegion and Wyrdeer, it’s more likely that other critters are used to showcase those evolutionary mechanics.
Like howPokemon Legends: Arceuswas a part of Gen 8,Pokemon Legends: Z-Awill still seemingly be a part of Gen 9, meaning it’s unlikely that the game will go all-in on adding new critters. With the game likely to take place in the past, most of the new mons added will probably be either regional variants or evolutions for mons that currently lack any given the game will have to deal with the same problemLegends: Arceusdid when it comes to justifying the existence of these forms of mons from past in future gens. Since it’s also unlikely that a new type would be added to the franchise at this point, there wouldn’t be any reason forPokemon Legends: Z-Ato introduce another Sylveon.
Eevee Fans Might Still Have a Reason to Check Out Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Although a new Eeveelution seems to be off the table,Pokemon Legends: Z-Acould still do a lot to appeal to Eevee fans and make checking out the game worth their while. With the return of Mega Evolution inPokemon Legends: Z-A, it’s possible that some of the currentEeveelutions will get Mega Evolutionsfor the first time in the series. Sylveon would be an obvious candidate for a new Mega Evolution given it was originally introduced in the Kalos Region, but giving one Eeveelution a Mega Evolution but not the others would be an odd choice, which could mean that all or none of them get new forms.
While the specific gameplay details ofPokemon Legends: Z-Aare unclear, the game’s emphasis on buildingLumiose Cityto be a place where humans and Pokemon can live in harmony might imply some level of customization for the player’s mons.Pokemon X and Yintroduced the concept of styling a critter like Furfrou with different trims, and this mechanic could be expanded inPokemon Legends: Z-Ato include additional mons available for styling. The result could allow players to customize their Eevee like they could inPokemon Let’s Go Eeveeas a way to still show this popular mon some love.
