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I'm not sure exactly how the tradition began, however I always name every one of my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Be it a core franchise title or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction alternates between male and female avatars, featuring dark and violet hair. Occasionally their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the enduring franchise (and one of the most style-conscious entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they're always Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokémon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved across installments, with certain superficial, some substantial. However at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. The developers uncovered an almost flawless gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to innovate on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar faces peril). Across all version, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and fighting alongside adorable monsters has stayed consistent for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes to that framework. It takes place entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of previous titles. Pokemon are intended to live together alongside people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only seen glimpses of before.

Far more drastic is Z-A's real-time battle system. This is where the series' almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its biggest evolution yet, swapping methodical turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I find myself ready for another turn-based entry. Though these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're promptly enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; the male guide for female characters) to become part of their squad of battlers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your starter and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Championship is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. However here, you battle several opponents to earn the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Win and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the assigned combat areas is very entertaining. I'm constantly trying to surprise an opponent and launch a free attack, because all actions occur in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, meaning both combatants can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Even after playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a major role during combat since your creatures will follow you around or go to designated spots to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Creature fights depend on response post-move execution, and that information remains visible on screen 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

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and rooftops to visit. It's also full of charm, and perfectly captures the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path while strolling through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon a passage you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. 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 inspiration for Lumiose, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where every district differs, and all are 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.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, battles in Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing while they eat. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Various individual battle locales brim with character that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Comfort of Repetition

During the Championship, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I