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I'm not sure precisely when the tradition started, but I always name every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Glitch alternates from male to female avatars, with dark and violet hair. Sometimes their style is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this long-running series (and one of the more style-conscious entries). At other moments they're limited to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed across releases, with certain superficial, others substantial. However at their heart, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokémon to the core. Game Freak uncovered an almost flawless gameplay formula approximately three decades back, and just recently truly attempted to innovate upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Across all version, the core mechanics cycle of catching and battling with charming creatures has remained consistent for nearly the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring lack of arenas and focus on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations to that formula. It's set entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning adventures of previous games. Pokemon are intended to coexist with people, trainers and civilians, in ways we've only seen glimpses of before.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the franchise's almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution yet, replacing methodical turn-based bouts for something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself ready for a new turn-based entry. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they create a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to join their squad of trainers. You receive a creature from them as your starter and you're dispatched into the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. However here, you battle several trainers to gain the chance to compete in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving rank A.

Real-Time Battles: An Innovative Approach

Character fights occur during nighttime, while sneaking around the assigned combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch an unopposed move, because everything happens instantaneously. Attacks operate on cooldown timers, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other concurrently (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to get used to at first. Even after gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or go to specific locations to perform attacks (some are long-range, while others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action causes fights progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights rely on feedback after using an attack, and that information is still present on screen within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your opponent will spell immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to explore. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans coexisting. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach like the real-life pigeons getting in my way while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna cling on branches.

A focus on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I never visited Paris, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where every district are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword and Shield occur in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) hanging above. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Royale, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I