🔗 Share this article

I don't recall precisely when the custom began, but I always name all my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Be it a core franchise title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction alternates from male to female avatars, featuring dark and violet hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in the long-running series (and one of the more fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're limited to the assorted academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokemon Games

Similar to my characters, the Pokémon games have transformed between installments, some superficial, some substantial. However at their core, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Throughout all version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and fighting with charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring absence of gyms and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations into that formula. It's set entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of earlier titles. Pokémon are intended to live together alongside humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's real-time battle system. This is where the series' almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution to date, replacing deliberate sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, even as I find myself eager for a new turn-based entry. Although these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe sound like they create a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to join their squad of battlers. You receive a creature from them as your starter and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. But here, you battle a handful of trainers to earn the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: A New Frontier

Character fights occur at night, while navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is very entertaining. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on a rival and unleash a free attack, since all actions occur in real time. Attacks operate on cooldown timers, meaning both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's much to adjust to initially. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a major role in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on feedback after using an attack, and that information is still present on the display in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your opponent will spell certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight as you approach like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I never visited Paris, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has tan buildings topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights in Sword and Shield occur in football-like stadiums, providing them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Championship, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I