🔗 Share this article

I'm not sure precisely when the custom started, however I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction switches between male and female characters, featuring dark and violet hair. Sometimes their fashion is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this enduring series (and among the most style-conscious releases). Other times they're limited to the assorted school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved across releases, some cosmetic, others substantial. But at their heart, they remain identical; they're always Pokémon through and through. The developers discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every version, the core mechanics cycle of catching and fighting alongside adorable monsters has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several deviations to that formula. It's set entirely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive adventures of earlier games. Pokemon are meant to live together with people, trainers and civilians, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of before.

Even more radical is Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the series' near-perfect core cycle experiences its biggest evolution to date, swapping methodical sequential fights for something more chaotic. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for a new turn-based release. Though these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula seem 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 Championship

Upon first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to become part of their squad of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Championship is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement of past games. However here, you battle several trainers to gain the chance to compete in a promotion match. Win and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: A New Frontier

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on a rival and launch an unopposed move, because everything happens instantaneously. Attacks function with cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes attack each other concurrently (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Positioning also plays a major role during combat since your creatures will follow you around or move to designated spots to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause during Z-A, and numerous chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles rely on response after using an attack, and that information remains visible on screen in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near like the real-life pigeons getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

A focus on city living is a new direction for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture lacks character, and many elevated areas and sewer paths offer little variety. Although I haven't been to the French capital, the model behind Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield take place in arena-like venues, giving them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet take place on a court with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the beautifully designed base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct combat settings brim with character that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Championship, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I