The upcomingPokémon Legends: Z-Acould make use of an exciting new online feature to complement the setting of the game. Time has clearly moved forward since the events ofPokémon X and Y, with the effect that one feature introduced in those games already has the potential to be an intriguing new addition toLegends: Z-A. Of course, the introduction of new online features would in itself be an interesting addition to the nextPokémongame, especially when comparing it to its predecessor.
Themultiplayer aspect ofPokémon Legends: Arceusis not as broad as mostPokémontitles, with online battles being a particularly notable absence. On the other hand, it is still possible to accomplish other feats like trading Pokémon. However, while it is unclear just how much this may now change, the modern setting alone makes it far easier to justify a greater range of online services. This in turn could make it much easier for players to connect with each other, something that one evidentlyreturning feature inLegends: Z-Awould make particularly impressive to engage with.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Will Feature Holo Casters
Kalos' Signature Hologram Technology Is Back And Better Than Ever
InPokémon X and Y, the Holo Caster was the protagonist’s main form of long-distance communication with NPCs, providing a way to progress the story without always needing to speak in person. It also served as the portal to the paired games' use of the Nintendo 3DS' StreetPass feature, as well as being used to provide news about upcoming events to players and even receive the objects of various distributions. Now, the most recent footage released ofPokémon Legends: Z-Ahas revealed that the Holo Caster has evolved into a new form.
Holo Casters are made by Lysandre Labs, a company that has now evidently survived the downfall of its namesake owner (assuming the technology has not been picked up by another organization instead) as the leader of Team Flare.
The newest promotional material depicting life in Lumiose City includes a short glimpse of a life-sized hologram of an NPC, who is talking to another person actually present on the street in question. This is clearly an extension of the Holo Caster’s known capabilities, which could project a far smaller image from the device. It is also worth noting that there are other examples of holograms around Lumiose City, including green ones that appear to act as boundary-marking barriers for wild zones (which also implies that these projections may now have a physical quality to them).
Holo Casters Could Facilitate Online Interactions
It Would Be Easy For The Devices To Provide Some Of Their Original Functions
Just as the original Holo Casters were used to present online functions, so too could their newest versions play a similar role inLegends: Z-A. Naturally,Kalos' premier long-distance communication device could once again be used to receive Mystery Gifts and news about any upcoming updates or other events, as well as perhaps trading Pokémon. If thePokémonworld’s holograms are indeed now physical, they could even be used to present a very visually distinctive form ofbattling inLegends: Z-A.
There’s Only One Way For Pokémon Legends: Z-A To Earn Its Title
The premise of Pokémon Legends: Z-A does not quite fit its title, but careful handling of one in-game element will still be able to resolve this.
On the other hand, it should also be noted that Rotom Phones will also be returning, and as such the Pokémon-powered smart device could easily handle all the functions it did inPokémon Scarlet and Violet. Because of this, if the protagonist does own a Holo Caster, it would need to provide a function that the Rotom Phone cannot. Again, this will most likely be rooted in its signature holograms; although receiving news about the game via hologram would be very cool,Legends Z-Awould likely need to offer a more directly player-oriented feature as well to justify its inclusion.
Hologram Messages Would Be Perfect For Showing Off Avatars
Holographic Player Characters Would Bridge The Gap Between Solo Gameplay And Online Connections
One notable feature that Holo Casters could be used for would directly increase both the quantity and quality of the interactions between people playingLegends: Z-A.As Holo Casters are communication devices,it would make perfect sense for players to be able to send each other short messages using themas a medium. Much likePokémon’s long-discontinued Mail items, these messages could accompany traded Pokémon, and perhaps other interactions like battle requests. Their actual contents could likewise be chosen from a stock list of standard phrases and gestures, if not a (presumably filtered) option for free-form text.
Of course,using Holo Casters in this way would blend perfectly with any and all character customization optionsin the game. As the sent holograms would naturally reflect their character’s own individual appearance, this would allow people to show off their sense of style alongside giving their greetings. Assuming thatLegends: Z-Ais intended to be a primarily single-player experience likeLegends: Arceusbefore it, this would allow the game to still incorporate the franchise’s typical emphasis on players connecting with each other.
Although the existence of life-sized holograms is perhaps not thebiggest reveal forLegends: Z-Aso far, it could still have a notable effect on the final gameplay experience. Although the Rotom Phone has now risen to prominence, the Holo Caster’s signature holograms could still have a massive impact as the franchise returns to the device’s native region. Of course, only time will tell how farPokémon Legends: Z-Awill really take the Holo Caster, but the item’s sheer potential is unmistakable.
