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I'm not sure precisely when the custom started, however I always name all my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Be it a core franchise game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Malfunction switches between male and female characters, with dark and violet hair. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running series (and among the most style-conscious entries). At other moments they're limited to the assorted school uniform styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed across releases, with certain cosmetic, others significant. But at their core, they remain identical; they're always Pokémon through and through. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately three decades back, and has only truly attempted to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Across all iteration, the core mechanics cycle of catching and fighting with adorable monsters has stayed consistent for almost as long as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes into that formula. It takes place completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the region-spanning adventures of earlier titles. Pokémon are intended to coexist alongside humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only glimpsed before.

Even more drastic is Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the franchise's near-perfect core cycle undergoes its biggest transformation yet, swapping methodical turn-based bouts for more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, even as I find myself eager for a new turn-based release. Though these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe sound like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor are discarded; you're promptly recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to join her team of battlers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement from earlier titles. But here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the chance to participate in a promotion match. Win and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles occur at night, while sneaking around the designated battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on a rival and launch a free attack, because everything happens in real time. Attacks operate on recharge periods, meaning both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in methods that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a significant part in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or move to specific locations to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, despite this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles rely on feedback after using an attack, and that data is still present on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because taking your eyes off your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering new shops and rooftops to explore. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach similar to actual pigeons getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon a passage you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I haven't been to Paris, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and they're all alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights in Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will invite you to a tournament, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings brim with character missing in the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Championship, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I