🔗 Share this article

I'm not sure precisely when the tradition started, however I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Whether it's a main series 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 locks. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running franchise (and among the more fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're limited to the assorted school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Games

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved across releases, with certain superficial, others substantial. But at their core, they remain the same; they're always Pokémon through and through. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character faces peril). Across all version, the core mechanics cycle of catching and fighting with charming creatures has stayed steady for nearly as long as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations into that formula. It's set entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive adventures of previous titles. Pokémon are intended to coexist alongside people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Even more drastic is Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the series' near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest transformation yet, swapping methodical turn-based fights with something more chaotic. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for another traditional release. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your custom avatar planned as a visitor are discarded; you're promptly recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to become part of their squad of trainers. 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 in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. However here, you battle several opponents to earn the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles take place at night, and sneaking around the designated battle zones is very entertaining. I'm always trying to surprise a rival and unleash an unopposed move, since all actions occur instantaneously. Moves function with cooldown timers, meaning both combatants can sometimes attack each other concurrently (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to initially. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel that there is plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a significant part in battles since your creatures will follow you around or move to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, even when this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on feedback post-move execution, and that information remains visible on the display within Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your opponent will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near similar to actual city birds getting in my way when walking through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna cling to trees.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You might discover an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While 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 alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It has tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where Lumiose City really shines, surprisingly, is indoors. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and meaning. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales brim with character that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Royale, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I