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I don't recall precisely when the custom began, however I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Glitch alternates from male to female avatars, with black and purple locks. Occasionally their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this enduring series (and one of the most style-conscious releases). At other moments they're confined to the assorted school uniform styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Games

Similar to my characters, the Pokémon games have evolved across releases, with certain superficial, others significant. However at their heart, they stay identical; they're consistently Pokémon through and through. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to innovate on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Across every iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and fighting with charming creatures has stayed consistent for almost as long as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations into that framework. It takes place completely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of earlier titles. Pokémon are intended to coexist alongside people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed previously.

Even more drastic is Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its most significant evolution yet, replacing deliberate sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, even as I find myself ready for another turn-based entry. Although these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they create an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide for female characters) to join her team of trainers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement of past games. However here, you battle a handful of trainers to earn the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Win and you'll be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Battles: A New Frontier

Character fights occur during nighttime, while sneaking around the assigned battle zones is very entertaining. I'm always attempting to surprise an opponent and launch a free attack, since all actions occur in real time. Attacks operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's much to get used to initially. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Placement also plays a significant part in battles 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 real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I often repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on response post-move execution, and that information is still present on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to visit. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near like the real-life pigeons getting in my way when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and sewer paths offer little variety. While I haven't been to the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. An elite combat club will invite you to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct combat settings brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Championship, along with subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I