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I don't recall precisely when the tradition began, however I always name every one of my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction switches from male to female characters, featuring dark and violet locks. Sometimes their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in this enduring franchise (and among the most style-conscious entries). At other moments they're limited to the various school uniform styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed between releases, with certain cosmetic, others significant. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokemon to the core. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless gameplay formula some 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to evolve upon it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar faces peril). Across all version, the core mechanics cycle of catching and fighting with charming creatures has stayed consistent for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring absence of gyms and focus on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes into that formula. It's set entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the region-spanning adventures of previous games. Pokemon are intended to live together alongside humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only glimpsed previously.

Even more radical than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution yet, replacing deliberate turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for a new traditional entry. Although these changes to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they create a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar had as a tourist get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to join their squad of battlers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched into the Z-A Championship.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. But here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Battles: A New Approach

Character fights occur at night, and navigating stealthily the assigned combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm always attempting to get a jump on an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, because all actions occur in real time. Attacks operate on cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Despite gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel that there is plenty to learn regarding employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Positioning also plays a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will trail behind you or go to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I often repeating sequences through moves in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe during Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on response after using an attack, and that data is still present on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to visit. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach similar to actual city birds getting in my way when walking through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

A focus on city living is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and underground routes provide minimal diversity. Although I haven't been to the French capital, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It has beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where the city truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights in Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with two random people observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You will fight in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. An elite combat club will invite you to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings brim with character that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Repetition

Throughout the Royale, along with quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I