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

Be it a main series game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Glitch alternates from male to female characters, featuring dark and violet hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running franchise (and one of the most fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're confined to the assorted school uniform styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Titles

Much like my characters, the Pokémon games have transformed across releases, with certain superficial, others significant. But at their core, they remain identical; they're always Pokemon to the core. The developers uncovered an almost flawless gameplay formula some 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to evolve on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Across all iteration, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and battling with charming creatures has remained steady for nearly as long as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes to that formula. It takes place entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of earlier games. Pokemon are meant to coexist alongside people, trainers and civilians, in ways we have merely glimpsed previously.

Even more radical than that Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. It's here the series' almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution to date, swapping methodical sequential bouts for more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, despite I feel eager for a new traditional entry. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to become part of her team of battlers. You're gifted a creature from them as your starter and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. But here, you battle a handful of trainers to earn 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 Frontier

Character fights occur during nighttime, and sneaking around the assigned combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm always trying to surprise an opponent and unleash a free attack, because all actions occur instantaneously. Moves function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to get used to at first. Even after playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a major role during combat as your Pokémon will trail behind you or go to designated spots to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to pause during Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights depend on response post-move execution, and that data is still present on the display within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Occasionally, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your adversary will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Far into the adventure, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way when walking through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna cling to trees.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You might discover an alley you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. Although I haven't been to Paris, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights in Sword & Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Championship, along with subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I