Can We Please Let Pokémon Legends: Z-A Have an Ending?
The announcement of Pokémon Legends: Z-A sent a jolt of excitement through the fan community. A new Legends game! A return to the stylish Kalos region! The comeback of Mega Evolution! But then, a piece of news dropped that soured the mood for many: some Mega Stones might be locked behind online multiplayer features.
Immediately, cries of “cash-grab” echoed across the internet. And hey, it’s easy to see why. Tying cool in-game items to an online service that often requires a paid subscription feels a bit like a shakedown.
But what if this isn’t just about squeezing a few extra bucks out of players? What if it’s a symptom of a much bigger trend in the video game world—the slow disappearance of the “one-and-done” game?
The “Forever Game” Problem
Think about some of your favorite older games. You buy the cartridge or disc, you play through a fantastic story, you beat the final boss, the credits roll, and… that’s it. You’re done. You got a complete, satisfying experience from start to finish.
That’s a “one-and-done” game.
But the industry has been shifting away from this model for years. Now, the big thing is the “live service” or “ongoing” game. These are games designed to never end. They want you to log in every day, complete daily challenges, buy season passes, and participate in limited-time events. Think of games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, or even Genshin Impact.
Why Do Companies Prefer This?
The reason is pretty simple: it makes more money over a longer period.
A game with a definitive ending sells one copy to you. A game that keeps adding content and reasons to play can keep getting money from you through:
- Paid online subscriptions (like Nintendo Switch Online)
- Battle passes or season passes
- In-game cosmetic items
The goal changes from “tell a great story” to “keep the player engaged for as long as possible.” It’s a totally different way of designing a game.
Does This Fit Pokémon Legends?
This brings us back to Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The first game in this series, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, was so beloved because it was a deep, immersive, single-player adventure. It felt like a classic “one-and-done” experience that respected your time. You explored the Hisui region, completed the story, and felt a sense of accomplishment.
Forcing online multiplayer into the core progression of Legends: Z-A feels… weird. It’s like being told you can’t read the final chapter of a great book unless you join an online book club. It risks breaking the very thing that made the first game so special—that feeling of a personal, self-contained journey.
Not every game needs to be a forever hobby. It’s okay for a game to just end. In fact, a good, solid ending is often what makes a story memorable and impactful. We don’t need every Pokémon adventure to become a never-ending cycle of daily logins and online events. Sometimes, we just want to explore a new world, catch some Pokémon, and see the credits roll.
What do you think? Are you worried about this trend, or do you enjoy games that get continuous updates? Let us know in the comments