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I'm not sure precisely when the tradition began, but I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Be it a core franchise title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction alternates between male and female avatars, featuring black and purple hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in the enduring series (and among the more fashion-focused entries). Other times they're confined to the various academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed across installments, with certain superficial, others substantial. But at their heart, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately three decades back, and has only seriously tried to innovate upon it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Throughout every version, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting with charming creatures has remained consistent for almost the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and focus on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes to that formula. It's set entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive adventures of earlier games. Pokémon are intended to coexist with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of before.

Far more radical is Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the series' near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest evolution yet, swapping deliberate turn-based fights with more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel ready for another traditional release. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula seem like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to join their squad of trainers. You receive a creature from them as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

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

Live-Action Battles: A New Approach

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the assigned combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm always trying to surprise an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, because everything happens in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, meaning you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to adjust to initially. Even after playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in methods that complement each other. Positioning also plays a significant part during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or move to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others must be up close and personal).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles rely on response post-move execution, and that data remains visible on the display in Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because taking your eyes off your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach similar to actual city birds obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on urban life is a new direction for the franchise, and a welcome one. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I never visited the French capital, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where every district are the same, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has beige structures with blue or red roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Royale, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I