Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Mega Dimension DLC: Familiar Fun or Frustration?

A New Chapter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

The latest expansion for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, titled Mega Dimension, has officially launched, bringing with it a fresh set of challenges and experiences. While I’ve only spent a few hours exploring this new content, I’m still forming my final opinion. However, I can say that the DLC feels like more of the same familiar gameplay we've come to expect from the title.

On the positive side, I thoroughly enjoyed Pokémon Legends: Z-A and gave it a four-and-a-half-star rating. I believe it sets a strong precedent for future Pokémon games, but there were some issues that could have been addressed by this DLC. Unfortunately, those problems remain unresolved.

A New Challenge Awaits

One of the most exciting aspects of Mega Dimension is the introduction of Pokémon over level 100. This is a significant departure from the usual cap in the series, which typically limits Pokémon to level 100. If you've completed Legends: Z-A as I did, you likely have a team of maxed-out Pokémon, and this DLC could have made battles more challenging.

While some encounters are easy, especially trainer battles, others have proven to be quite difficult. I even lost a match against a pair of wild Pokémon during a side mission. It took me three attempts to defeat them, which was a refreshing challenge after a long time.

The story also continues to engage me, with the return of Korrina as a mega evolution champion and the introduction of Ansha, a Hoopa-carrying donut baker. The new mega forms are a welcome addition, and I appreciate the variety of Pokémon that can undergo mega evolution. However, Flygon once again misses out on this opportunity, which is disappointing.

Missing the Opportunity for New Pokémon

Despite the excitement around new mega forms, I was disappointed that no new Pokémon were introduced in the DLC. Returning to the Kalos region in a modern-day setting, I expected Legends: Z-A to offer something beyond just mega forms. While this makes sense narratively, it felt like a missed opportunity to introduce a few new Pokémon to add to my collection.

By introducing an alternate dimension filled with Pokémon not native to Kalos or Lumiose City, the DLC had the perfect chance to present even a couple of new Pokémon. Perhaps even teasing some from regions we haven’t yet explored.

A Familiar Landscape

Another disappointment comes from the Hyperspace Lumiose area. It feels too similar to the regular Lumiose City. Given that non-native Pokémon inhabit this extra-dimensional space, one might expect a different geography that allows for new terrain to explore. Instead, every zone I’ve visited so far feels very much like what I've seen before, with only slight changes in color.

This lack of variation makes it feel like just a "shiny" version of Lumiose City. Combined with the fact that Lumiose City already felt overused by the end of the main game, the potential of this DLC feels underutilized.

Final Thoughts

Despite these criticisms, I’m still having a lot of fun with Mega Dimension. I plan to dive deeper into the DLC and see where it takes me. If you’re looking for more of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, this expansion will deliver exactly that—whether that’s a good or bad thing depends on your expectations.