🔗 Share this article

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

Be it a core franchise title or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Glitch switches from male to female characters, with black and purple hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running franchise (and one of the most fashion-focused releases). Other times they're limited to the various school uniform styles from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my characters, the Pokémon games have transformed between releases, some superficial, some significant. But at their core, they stay identical; they're consistently Pokémon to the core. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to evolve on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every iteration, the core gameplay loop of capturing and fighting with adorable monsters has remained consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring absence of gyms and focus on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes to that framework. It's set entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the expansive adventures of earlier games. Pokémon are intended to coexist alongside humans, trainers and civilians, in manners we've only glimpsed previously.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. It's here the series' almost ideal core cycle experiences its biggest transformation yet, swapping deliberate sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, even as I feel ready for a new turn-based entry. Although these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to join their squad of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent into the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. However here, you fight several trainers to gain the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you'll be promoted to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: A New Frontier

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm always attempting to surprise an opponent and unleash a free attack, since all actions occur in real time. Attacks function with cooldown timers, indicating both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to adjust to initially. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I still feel that there is much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in methods that complement each other. Placement also factors as a major role during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or go to designated spots to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others need to be up close and personal).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, even when this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe during Z-A, and plenty of chances to become swamped. Creature fights rely on feedback post-move execution, and that data is still present on the display in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your opponent will result in certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to explore. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. While I never visited the French capital, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where the city really shines, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and meaning. Conversely, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching while they eat. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. My favorite location is the beautifully designed base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I