🔗 Share this article

I'm not sure precisely when the tradition started, however I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Be it a core franchise title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction alternates between male and female avatars, featuring black and purple locks. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the long-running series (and one of the more fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're confined to the various academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed across installments, with certain superficial, others significant. However at their heart, they remain the same; they're always Pokemon through and through. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar faces peril). Throughout every iteration, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting alongside adorable monsters has remained consistent for almost as long as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations to that framework. It's set entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of previous games. Pokémon are meant to live together alongside people, trainers and civilians, in ways we've only glimpsed before.

Even more radical than that Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest evolution to date, replacing methodical sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself ready for a new turn-based release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to become part of her team of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and are sent into the Z-A Royale.

The Championship is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. But here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Succeed and you'll be elevated to the next rank, with the final objective of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while sneaking around the designated battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm always trying to get a jump on a rival and unleash an unopposed move, because everything happens in real time. Attacks function with cooldown timers, indicating both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to adjust to at first. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Positioning also factors as a significant part in battles since your creatures will follow you around or go to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I often repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to pause during Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on response post-move execution, and that data is still present on screen within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to explore. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna cling to trees.

An emphasis on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Even so, 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 underground routes offer little variety. Although I never visited Paris, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where every district differs, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet take place in a field with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Championship, along with subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I