🔗 Share this article

I'm not sure exactly how the tradition started, however I always name every one of my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Be it a main series game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction switches between male and female characters, featuring dark and violet locks. Occasionally their style is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running franchise (and one of the most fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're confined to the assorted school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Much like my characters, the Pokémon games have transformed between installments, some cosmetic, some substantial. But at their core, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. The developers uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system some 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to evolve on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Throughout every iteration, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and fighting with adorable monsters has remained steady for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring lack of arenas and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations into that framework. It takes place completely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive journeys of earlier titles. Pokémon are meant to coexist with people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed before.

Far more drastic is Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the franchise's near-perfect core cycle experiences its most significant evolution to date, swapping deliberate sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself eager for a new turn-based entry. Though these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; the male guide if female) to become part of her team of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression of past games. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to gain the chance to compete in a promotion match. Win and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: A New Frontier

Character fights take place during nighttime, while sneaking around the designated combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to surprise an opponent and unleash a free attack, because all actions occur instantaneously. Moves function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to get used to initially. Even after playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a major role in battles as your Pokémon will trail behind you or go to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, while others must be in close proximity).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences through moves in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and numerous chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles rely on feedback post-move execution, and that data remains visible on the display within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because diverting attention from your adversary will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose City

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Far into the adventure, I continue to find new shops and rooftops to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans coexisting. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach like the real-life city birds obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna cling to trees.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Even so, navigating the city becomes rote eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The building design lacks character, and many elevated areas and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where no two blocks are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Really Excels

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I loved how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, giving them real weight and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you'll battle on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Royale, along with quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I