With the release pencilled in for the 16th, the critical reception for Pokémon Legends: Z-A has finally landed on Metacritic.

As of 10:00 AM on October 15, the title sits at a solid 81 from 42 participating outlets. It’s a touch lower than the 83 achieved by its predecessor, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, but certainly a step up from the 72 earned by Pokémon Scarlet and Violet—the series' second-best seller, mind you.

The combat system has been showered with praise across the board. The shift to real-time action brings a refreshing layer of immersion, while the return of Mega Evolution manages to keep the momentum from flagging.

Beyond the scraps, the game’s depth in side content and exploration has left critics charmed. The main story is paced well, with side missions and exploration filling out the experience. Some reviewers were particularly glowing, noting, "I've already clocked over 100 hours and there’s still plenty to do," with one even calling it the most enjoyable Pokémon experience in recent memory.

However, it isn't all sunshine and rainbows; the series’ perennial struggle with narrative depth has reared its head again. Critics pointed out a lack of unique story beats, and a few sections suffer from pacing issues that drag a bit.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A arrives on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 this coming 16th, with full official support for the Korean language.