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I don't recall precisely when the tradition started, but I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch alternates between male and female avatars, featuring black and purple hair. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this enduring series (and among the more style-conscious entries). Other times they're confined to the various academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokemon Games

Similar to my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed between releases, with certain cosmetic, others significant. But at their heart, they remain identical; they're consistently Pokémon through and through. The developers uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately three decades back, and just recently truly attempted to innovate on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Across every version, the core mechanics cycle of catching and fighting with charming creatures has stayed consistent for almost as long as I've been alive.

Breaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, featuring lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations into that formula. It takes place entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of previous games. Pokémon are meant to coexist with people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely glimpsed before.

Far more drastic is Z-A's real-time battle system. This is where the series' near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution yet, replacing methodical turn-based bouts for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I find myself eager for another traditional release. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they create a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

When first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to join her team of battlers. You receive a creature from them as your first partner and you're dispatched into the Z-A Championship.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to gain the chance to participate in an advancement bout. Win and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is very entertaining. I'm always trying to get a jump on an opponent and unleash a free attack, since all actions occur instantaneously. Moves operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's much to get used to at first. Even after gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is plenty to learn in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a major role during combat as your Pokémon will trail behind you or go to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on feedback after using an attack, and that information is still present on screen in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your adversary will result in certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, taking flight as you approach like the real-life city birds getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You might discover an alley you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I haven't been to the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

In which Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights within Sword & Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet take place on a court with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the beautifully designed base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Championship, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I