🔗 Share this article

I don't recall precisely when the tradition began, but I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Malfunction switches from male to female characters, with black and purple hair. Occasionally their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in this enduring franchise (and one of the more fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're confined to the various academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Titles

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed across releases, with certain cosmetic, others significant. But at their heart, they remain identical; they're consistently Pokémon to the core. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula some three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to evolve on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and battling with adorable monsters has stayed steady for nearly the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and focus on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes into that framework. It takes place completely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive journeys of previous titles. Pokémon are intended to live together with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed previously.

Far more radical is Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the franchise's near-perfect core cycle undergoes its biggest transformation yet, replacing deliberate turn-based fights for something more chaotic. And it's immensely fun, even as I find myself ready for another traditional entry. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to join their squad of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched into the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. But here, you fight several opponents to gain the opportunity to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: A New Approach

Character fights occur at night, while navigating stealthily the designated battle zones is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on an opponent and launch an unopposed move, because everything happens in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to adjust to at first. Even after playing for nearly thirty hours, I still feel that there is plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a major role in battles since your creatures will follow you around or go to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I often sometimes cycling through moves in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights depend on feedback post-move execution, and that data is still present on screen in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your adversary will result in certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and rooftops to visit. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach like the real-life pigeons getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I never visited Paris, the inspiration for Lumiose, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where every district differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It features beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Really Excels

In which the city really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, providing them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet take place in a field with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. An elite combat club will invite you to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Royale, as well as quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I