Bloody Hell, Volo is Still Alive? Unpacking the Eternal Mystery in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Evidence found in Pokémon Legends: Z-A suggests that the villainous Volo from Arceus is actually immortal and still wandering around Lumiose City centuries later.
You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit too well? Or perhaps when you’re tinkering with some ancient tech and suddenly realize the 'relic' you’re holding is still technically under warranty? That’s exactly how I felt when I stumbled across the latest lore drop from the Pokémon world. It seems our friends over at Game Freak have been busy weaving some rather immortal threads into the fabric of *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*, and honestly, it’s wilder than a Magikarp in a thunderstorm.
Right, before we dive into the deep end of the Poké-pool, full credit where it’s due: this fascinating bit of detective work comes courtesy of Dom Peppiatt over at Eurogamer. They’ve been poking around the corners of Lumiose City and found something that should make any self-respecting lore-hunter drop their Poké Ball in surprise. Fair warning, though—we’re about to wander into heavy spoiler territory for both *Pokémon Legends: Arceus* and *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*. If you haven’t finished your journey through Hisui or explored the new Lumiose yet, maybe look away now. Don't say I didn't warn you, mate.
So, here’s the rub. If you played *Pokémon Legends: Arceus*, you’ll remember Volo. You know, the charming merchant who looked suspiciously like Cynthia’s great-great-grandfather and eventually revealed himself to be a universe-resetting megalomaniac? Right, that guy. He was obsessed with the mythology of the Hisui region and had a bit of a tiff with the player because he wanted to remake the world in his own image. Very 'villainous wizard' of him, if I do say so myself. At the end of *Arceus*, he essentially vowed to spend centuries, if necessary, to find and conquer God (Arceus). Most of us chalked that up to dramatic villain posturing—the kind of thing you say when you’ve just been beaten by a ten-year-old with a bag full of Tumblestones.
But here’s where it gets interesting. In *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*, we return to Lumiose City. Now, this isn't the Lumiose we remember from *Pokémon X and Y*. This is a city undergoing a massive redevelopment project, and while the city itself feels a bit... let’s say 'cozy' in its limitations, the Lumiose Museum has seen a bit of an upgrade. It used to just be a place with nods to other regions, but now it’s exploring the verticality of time itself.
According to the eagle-eyed reporting at Eurogamer, players can find an exhibition of 'Formal Attire' in the museum. If you’ve got a keen eye, you’ll recognize it instantly as Volo’s ritual outfit from *Arceus*. The description text is interesting enough, mentioning the 'ancient Sinnoh people' and their worship of Arceus, but it’s the museum curator’s commentary that really sets the digital tea leaves swirling. The curator casually mentions that the person who wore the outfit donated it *personally*. Apparently, this individual stood there for a while, gazing at sketches by Professor Laventon with a distinctly 'nostalgic' air.
Let that sink in for a moment. *Legends: Z-A* takes place significantly later in the timeline than *Arceus*. If Volo is donating his own clothes and feeling nostalgic about sketches from the Hisui era, it means the bloke hasn't aged a day—or at least, he’s still very much walking among the living. He wasn't just being dramatic; he actually found a way to stick around.
Now, I’ve got to put on my skeptical wizard hat for a second. Is this Game Freak being brilliant, or are they just throwing us a bone because the rest of Lumiose feels a bit light on content? It’s a classic corporate move, isn’t it? 'We might not have fully open-world exploration, but look! A lore nugget!' Still, as a curious gamer, I can’t help but wonder *how*. How is he still here?
We already know immortality exists in this corner of the Pokémon universe. We’ve got AZ, the former king of Kalos, who’s been wandering around for 3,000 years because of the ultimate weapon. Then there’s Cogita from *Arceus*, who also seemed to have a tenuous relationship with the concept of aging. Is there some sort of 'Ancient Sinnoh' secret to longevity? Or did Volo actually manage to strike a deal with a Legendary Pokémon while we weren't looking?
What I reckon is particularly clever here—and I use 'clever' with a touch of caution—is how this links the two 'Legends' games together. It’s not just a cameo; it’s a confirmation of a broader, more persistent world. It makes the 'Legends' series feel like a singular, unfolding epic rather than just a collection of historical one-offs. But what does this mean for the future? With the mention of the upcoming *Pokémon Legends Z-A Mega Dimension DLC* in the original report, one has to wonder if we're going to have a face-to-face reunion with our old 'friend' Volo.
From a player's perspective, this is the kind of storytelling I actually enjoy. It’s subtle, it’s hidden in the environment, and it rewards people for paying attention to the history of the franchise. It’s a bit of a silver lining in an industry that usually prefers to hit you over the head with a cinematic trailer and a pre-order bonus.
Of course, the cynic in me—the one who’s seen too many 'revolutionary' updates turn out to be minor patches—is wondering if this is just a dead end. A 'knowing nod' that goes nowhere. But I’m choosing to stay cautiously optimistic. If Volo is still out there, lurking in the shadows of a redeveloped Lumiose City, the stakes for whatever comes next just got a whole lot higher.
So, what’s the verdict? Volo is likely an immortal, time-traveling fashionista with a grudge against divinity. Honestly? Relatable. If I had to live through several centuries of Pokémon history, I’d probably want to donate my old gym gear to a museum too.
Stay curious, mates. There’s always something weird lurking in the code if you look hard enough.
Tags: Pokemon Legends ZA, Gaming Lore, Game Freak, Nintendo Switch, Pokemon Theory
Original article: Eurogamer