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

Whether it's a core franchise game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction alternates from male to female avatars, with black and purple hair. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the long-running series (and among the most style-conscious entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my characters, the Pokémon games have evolved between installments, with certain cosmetic, others substantial. However at their heart, they stay identical; they're consistently Pokémon to the core. Game Freak uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system some three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to innovate upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Across every version, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and battling with charming creatures has stayed consistent for almost as long as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes into that framework. It takes place completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the expansive journeys of previous titles. Pokémon are meant to live together alongside people, battlers and civilians, in ways we've only glimpsed previously.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. It's here the series' near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its most significant transformation yet, swapping deliberate turn-based fights with something more chaotic. And it is immensely fun, despite I feel ready for a new turn-based release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula seem like they create an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to become part of their squad of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner 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 "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement of past games. But here, you battle several trainers to earn the opportunity to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: An Innovative Frontier

Character fights occur at night, while navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is very entertaining. I'm constantly trying to surprise an opponent and launch a free attack, since everything happens in real time. Attacks operate on recharge periods, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other at once). It's much to adjust to at first. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel that there is plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Positioning also plays a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will trail behind you or go to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, despite this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on response post-move execution, and that information is still present on the display within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Occasionally, you cannot process it because diverting attention from your adversary will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It's also full of charm, and perfectly captures the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near like the real-life city birds obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The building design lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where The Metropolis Really Excels

In which the city truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights within Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, giving them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with two random people observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you 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 base of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings brim with character missing in the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Repetition

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