Highlights
- Character customization in Pokemon X and Y was groundbreaking, offering players the freedom to tailor their experience through stylish clothing options.
- Pokemon’s mainline titles now prioritize character customization, with Legends: Arceus featuring clothing that reflects Hisui’s climate and Japanese inspirations.
- Pokemon Legends: Z-A has the potential to take character customization even further, blending Parisian designs with futuristic elements for a more eclectic style.
Pokemon X and Y were considered stand-outs in how adaptable they made character customization. Drawing from Paris as one of the fashion capitals of the world, Kalos’ Lumiose City allowed the player to be as stylish as their surroundings; Vernal Avenue’s Boutique Couture, an exclusive shop that granted players access after they engaged with different shops and features throughout the city, amplified the ways in which they could dress their character. From hat accessories to tops, bags, and shoes, X and Y‘s clothing mechanics sought to make customization an important part of its journey, giving players a greater degree of freedom to tailor their experiences that could return in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
Character customization has now become an integral part of Pokemon‘s mainline titles, taking shape in Legends: Arceus as well. The title included a number of clothing options that tied into Hisui’s climate and Japanese inspirations, going beyond the Survey Corps uniform to include Kimono, snow jackets, printed festival tops, and more. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, on the other hand, were largely criticized for their step backward in character customization, a decision that made narrative sense given the Academies’ school uniforms, but one that was disappointing nonetheless. Pokemon Legends: Z-A has a chance to go further with its character customization, channeling the strengths of its X and Y inspirations while honing in on the intrigue of its theme.
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Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Potentially Futuristic Lumiose City Could Take its Fashion to New Heights
Legends: Z-A’s Place on the Timeline Remains Uncertain
It is still unclear when Legends: Z-A might take place in the X and Y timeline. Some fans believe that the Lumiose of Z-A will be one set in the distant future from Pokemon X and Y‘s events, while others have speculated that it might not be as severe a time jump. This version of Lumiose City has the potential to be grounded in its futurism, with the game’s trailer suggesting a heavy focus on advanced technology that could inform the attire and customization made available to the player. This gives the game a unique opportunity to blend classic Parisian designs with a modern twist, which could give its clothing, and in turn its customization, a more eclectic edge.
Building on X and Y‘s Boutique Couture shop, the ability to go for more expensive, high-end-looking styles would be a natural progression from X and Y, while having more of a selection could let players go for more “out-there” looks via mixing and matching. Legends: Arceus played a lot with patterned clothing and masks bearing inspiration from Pokemon themselves, which could also be a great way to extend Legends: Z-A‘s offerings. Character designs for NPCs throughout the series have been pretty eclectic in the past, though options available for the games’ protagonists have been largely subdued by comparison. Giving players more chances to channel their favorite Pokemon types, or simply build from their own fashion preferences, could be a great way to give their playable character more visual identity.
How Pokemon Legends: Z-A Might Be Inspired in its Clothing
In a similar vein, having more futuristic styles could tie into Legends: Z-A‘s central conceit. Given the game’s name, there’s a high likelihood that Zygarde will play a role in its plot, a Pokemon that many fans have likened to being almost alien-like in concept. This could mean that Legends: Z-A will draw from sci-fi, which could give the game’s clothing even more personality. Cyberpunk/techwear could be an interesting route to take, which would play into less traditional hairstyles as well. The same can be said for giving the player options to customize their character’s face through make-up, and though the ability to change the protagonist’s body shape or features directly would be unprecedented with the protagonist template, it could help players to feel more seen in their avatar beyond changing their skin tone and eye color.
Ultimately, much of Parisian fashion prides itself on being both chic and classic, which could mean that Legends: Z-A‘s attire leans toward more timeless options. Whether there’s a chance to go for more avant-garde pieces or customization in general remains a decision that largely depends on whether the title ends up being set in the distant future. Still, the ability to have multiple options in crafting the protagonist’s look would be welcome, especially after fans’ reception of Scarlet and Violet‘s lacking wardrobe. With the praise surrounding X and Y‘s customization, there remain high hopes that Legends: Z-A will be another fantastic way for players to tap into their creativity.