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I'm not sure precisely when the custom started, however I consistently call every one of my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a core franchise title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch switches from male to female avatars, with dark and violet locks. Occasionally their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in the enduring series (and one of the most style-conscious releases). At other moments they're confined to the various academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokemon Titles

Much like my characters, the Pokémon games have evolved across releases, with certain superficial, others significant. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokemon through and through. The developers uncovered an almost flawless gameplay formula some three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to evolve on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character faces peril). Throughout all version, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and fighting with charming creatures has remained steady for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations into that framework. It's set completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive adventures of previous titles. Pokemon are intended to live together alongside humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the series' almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its most significant transformation yet, swapping methodical turn-based fights for more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, even as I find myself eager for another turn-based entry. Although these changes to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by Taunie (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to become part of her team of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched into the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" progression of past games. But here, you fight a handful of trainers to gain the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Combat: A New Approach

Character fights take place during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to surprise an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, because all actions occur in real time. Attacks operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to adjust to initially. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I still feel that there is plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a major role in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or move to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, while others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences through moves in identical patterns, even when this results in a suboptimal strategy. There's no time to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on response after using an attack, and that information remains visible on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you cannot process it since diverting attention from your adversary will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to explore. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of creatures and humans coexisting. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near similar to actual city birds getting in my way while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

A focus on urban life represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You might discover a passage you never visited, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and underground routes provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where The Metropolis Really Excels

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet take place in a field with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) hanging above. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Royale, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I