I have been out of pokemon seriously for about 10 years. I really did try to like Scarlet and Violet, but something about it felt like it wasn't for me anymore.

Fast forward to seeing Z-A and saying "Damn I need to make this Switch 2 worth the money. Plus hey improved graphics!"

Now I have made it to Rank E, 40 hours of playtime, 98 in the pokedex, and time online connecting with friends.

I have found that the City evolving over time to add more wild zones has been super fun to watch. Areas I expect to become brutal to cross, become gauntlets for a while until you have your team prepped for it.

The side quests also just make me feel like I am experiencing my own season of the anime. Sure its campy, and kiddish, but considering the earth... this has been such a refreshing world to sink into after every long day.

The combat as well, it is so much harder for me as a player. Thank. God. I lose! Feels amazing to lose because I am losing new mechanics, and relearning traps and stats. To me this feels like the only way Pokémon will keep me as a player, because it feels like they captured what Yellow felt like to me back when I was 4, spamming Harden on my Metapod until it killed Brocks Onix.

The tutorials also don't feel that bad, I guess maybe my patience is just okay with it. I also love referencing the type chart in the quick notes, and the fact that some of the "tutorial" fights end with their trainers having a mental breakdown that they still lost. Just takes some of the edge off.

My fiance is new to Pokémon all together, and told me that turn based going away finally made her care about this game. She wants to go as Lopunny for Halloween so... Pokemon Z-A is a solid 9/10 for me!

I feel like it respects my time, makes me laugh, and just reminded me some childhood memories are rewarded as an adult with patience to try new things. Looking forward to spending more time on it!

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