🔗 Share this article

I don't recall exactly how the tradition started, but I always name every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a core franchise game or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Malfunction alternates from male to female characters, with dark and violet hair. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this enduring series (and one of the more fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted school uniform styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed across installments, with certain cosmetic, some substantial. But at their core, they remain identical; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. The developers uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system some 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to evolve on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout all version, the core gameplay loop of capturing and fighting with adorable monsters has stayed consistent for almost as long as I've been alive.

Breaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its absence of gyms and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes into that framework. It takes place completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of earlier titles. Pokemon are intended to live together with people, trainers and civilians, in manners we have merely glimpsed before.

Far more drastic is Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the series' almost ideal core cycle undergoes its most significant transformation yet, swapping methodical turn-based bouts for more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for a new traditional entry. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to become part of her team of trainers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and are sent into the Z-A Championship.

The Championship is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you battle a handful of opponents to gain the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Win and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Real-Time Combat: An Innovative Frontier

Character fights take place at night, and sneaking around the designated battle zones is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on a rival and launch a free attack, because all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other at once). It's much to adjust to initially. Even after gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Creature fights rely on response after using an attack, and that information remains visible on the display within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It's also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, taking flight as you approach similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I never visited Paris, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where every district are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where the city really shines, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct battle locales brim with character missing in the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Royale, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I