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I'm not sure precisely when the custom began, but I always name all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Glitch alternates from male to female characters, featuring dark and violet hair. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this enduring franchise (and among the most fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're confined to the assorted school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they're always Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, some superficial, others significant. However at their heart, they stay identical; they're always Pokemon through and through. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless gameplay formula approximately three decades back, and has only seriously tried to evolve upon it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Throughout every version, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and battling alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple changes into that formula. It takes place completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of earlier titles. Pokémon are intended to coexist with humans, trainers and civilians, in manners we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's near-perfect core cycle undergoes its most significant transformation yet, swapping methodical turn-based bouts for something more chaotic. And it is immensely fun, despite I find myself eager for another traditional release. Though these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula seem like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to join her team of trainers. You're gifted a creature from them as your starter and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" progression of past games. But here, you fight a handful of trainers to gain the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Combat: A New Frontier

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, and sneaking around the assigned combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm always attempting to get a jump on a rival and launch an unopposed move, because all actions occur instantaneously. Moves operate on cooldown timers, indicating both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to get used to at first. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will trail behind you or move to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, while others must be up close and personal).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I often repeating sequences through moves in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights rely on response post-move execution, and that data remains visible on the display in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, taking flight as you approach similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna cling to trees.

A focus on urban life is a new direction for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes provide minimal diversity. While I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has tan buildings topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where 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 genuine significance and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Royale, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I