🔗 Share this article

I don't recall precisely when the tradition started, but I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Be it a core franchise title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction switches between male and female characters, with black and purple locks. Occasionally their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the enduring franchise (and one of the more fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're confined to the various academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved between releases, some cosmetic, some significant. However at their core, they stay identical; they're always Pokémon through and through. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to evolve on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar is now in danger). Across every version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and battling with adorable monsters has remained steady for nearly as long as my lifetime.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes to that formula. It's set completely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the expansive adventures of previous games. Pokemon are intended to live together alongside people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed before.

Even more radical than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the series' almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its biggest transformation to date, swapping methodical sequential bouts with something more chaotic. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself eager for a new turn-based release. Though these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide for female characters) to join their squad of battlers. You're gifted a creature from them as your starter and are sent into the Z-A Championship.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. However here, you battle several trainers to gain the chance to participate in an advancement bout. Win and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: A New Approach

Character fights take place at night, and sneaking around the assigned battle zones is quite enjoyable. I'm always trying to surprise an opponent and launch a free attack, since everything happens instantaneously. Moves function with cooldown timers, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to at first. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Positioning also plays a major role during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or move to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights rely on feedback post-move execution, and that information remains visible on the display in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Occasionally, you cannot process it because taking your eyes off your adversary will spell certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Far into the adventure, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to visit. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of creatures and humans coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on city living is a new direction for the franchise, and a welcome one. Even so, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited the French capital, the model behind Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and all are vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

In which the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet take place on a court with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will invite you 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 a certain faction with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Various individual battle locales overflow with personality that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Championship, as well as quelling rogue powered-up creatures and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I