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I don't recall precisely when the tradition began, but I consistently call every one of my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch switches from male to female avatars, with black and purple locks. Sometimes their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running franchise (and among the more fashion-focused releases). Other times they're limited to the various academic attire styles of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved between installments, with certain superficial, some substantial. However at their core, they remain the same; they're always Pokemon to the core. The developers discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately three decades back, and just recently truly attempted to evolve on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Across every iteration, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and battling with adorable monsters has stayed steady for nearly as long as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations to that framework. It's set entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of previous games. Pokémon are meant to live together with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution yet, swapping methodical turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for another turn-based entry. Though these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula seem like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to join their squad of battlers. You receive a creature from them as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you battle several trainers to gain the chance to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Battles: A New Frontier

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while sneaking around the designated battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm always trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch an unopposed move, since everything happens instantaneously. Moves function with cooldown timers, meaning both combatants can sometimes attack each other concurrently (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to get used to initially. Even after playing for nearly thirty hours, I still feel that there is plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Placement also factors as a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others need to be up close and personal).

The real-time action causes fights progress so quickly that I often repeating sequences through moves in identical patterns, even when this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause during Z-A, and plenty of chances to become swamped. Creature fights depend on response post-move execution, and that information remains visible on the display within Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your adversary will result in certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, though tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight when you get near like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna cling to trees.

A focus on urban life is a new direction for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has beige structures with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet take place on a court with two random people watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a tournament, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) hanging above. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct combat settings brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

Throughout the Championship, along with subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I