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I am convinced some folks at Game Freak love Sega’s Yakuza and Like a Dragon series. And know what? I’m psyched. Pokemon Legends: Z-A features some fun and personable characters, but none won me over like Corbeau and his Rust Syndicate. The nature of that campaign storyline and his personality throughout is incredible. So much so that I 100% consider my Pokemon Legends: Z-A character to be the Rayquaza of Rust for Corbeau, just like Kazuma Kiryu made a name for himself as the Dragon of Dojima.
Editor’s Note: There are absolutely going to be Pokemon Legends: Z-A spoilers below.
When Pokemon Legends: Z-A first introduces the Rust Syndicate in the game, it feels like we could be seeing the villainous “team” for this entry. The characters look shady as hell. Their headquarters are off-limits until we have an excuse to go in as part of the campaign. Our first introduction to them is Philippe and Corbeau calling our avatar and Lida about a loan that Taunie/Urbain took out and never repaid. How did they get our numbers? They have their ways.
But at the same time, Game Freak casts some doubt with this introduction. Lida points out that nobody ever did anything about Rust Syndicate, even with the organization’s reputation. The police aren’t involved. Neither is the mayor. The company does a little foreshadowing that could go either way. Are they so powerful that they aren’t being caught? Could an organization giving out high-interest loans and forcing people to work them off with no end in sight actually be good?
It’s the latter. Corbeau in Pokemon Legends: Z-A is a good guy. I mean, he’s not a “hero.” Dude has a business to run. But as we go through the organization and start working off Taunie/Urbain’s debt, we learn a lot about Corbeau, Rust Syndicate, and Lumiose City itself.
By the way, when I say “we,” I mean our character. Lida, Naveen, and Taunie/Urbain somehow play no part in the repayment process whatsoever. Go team!
Anyways. The first thing I love about Corbeau and Rust Syndicate in Pokemon Legends: Z-A are the aesthetics. Everyone’s look would 100% fit in at Kamurocho. When we enter the headquarters for the first time, Game Freak forces us to walk past two lines of employees to Philippe. There’s no dash option. Even the presentation and immediate camera angle calls to mind Yakuza or Like a Dragon. And when we get to Corbeau’s office, the angles and positioning again are used for dramatic effect.
The second is how Corbeau presents himself in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. This dude is our antihero. He didn’t seek out power or want it. It was thrust upon him because he’s the person who can handle it. He’s flawed. He’s handing out 100,000 loans to teenagers, then jacking up the interest to make it 1,000,000. He is the kind of person who will almost lose his temper at folks who are “civilians,” but immediately catch himself and course correct. This is someone who, in spite of his appearances and reputation, is a friend to both children and Pokemon. He’s the kind of ally we don’t often see in the Pokemon series, which is very much appreciated.
But the personality trait I love most is his boldness, and it’s so good that it stands out among other ones. There are indications that things are going on in Lumiose City sort of leading up to the campaign quest where we become the Rust Syndicate errand-runner. Tensions are running high for a number of reasons. It’s because of this that we see exactly how audacious Cordeau can be. During this period, we end up being tapped by Quasartico to quell some Rogue Mega Evolved Pokemon incidents. After that’s done, we find Cordeau knew. Of course he knew. He figured out what we were doing and boldly confronted us about it. Later, when there’s an incident in which protesters surrounded Quasartico CEO Jett, he joins us to step in to battle the agitators while Taunie/Urbain escorts her away. Except… when it’s done, he doesn’t let Jett off the hook. He confronts her with the same questions, searching for answers.
I’m the biggest fan after meeting Cordeau and going through the Rust Syndicate storyline in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. I adore the way in which it feels like it sort of references the Yakuza and Like a Dragon series. (Combined with the way Side Missions sometimes feel like Substories, it is another welcome similarity!) His team’s aesthetics are great. His personality is fantastic. The direction it takes the story is insightful. He’s a great character in a great game!
Pokemon Legends: Z-A is available for the Switch and Switch 2.
