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I don't recall exactly how the tradition began, but I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Be it a main series title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction alternates from male to female characters, with dark and violet locks. Sometimes their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this long-running series (and among the most fashion-focused releases). Other times they're limited to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokémon Games

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, some cosmetic, some significant. But at their heart, they remain identical; they're always Pokemon through and through. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately three decades back, and has only truly attempted to innovate on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Across all iteration, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and battling alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes into that framework. It takes place completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of previous titles. Pokémon are meant to live together alongside humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the series' almost ideal core cycle experiences its biggest evolution yet, replacing deliberate turn-based bouts for something more chaotic. And it's immensely fun, even as I find myself eager for another traditional entry. Though these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe sound like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to become part of her team of trainers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and you're dispatched into the Z-A Championship.

The Championship is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you battle several opponents to earn the chance to participate in a promotion match. Win and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Combat: An Innovative Approach

Character fights occur at night, and navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is very entertaining. I'm always trying to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Attacks function with recharge periods, meaning you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's a lot to adjust to initially. Even after playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel that there is much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that work together synergistically. Positioning also factors as a significant part during combat since your creatures will follow you around or go to designated spots to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on feedback post-move execution, and that data remains visible on the display within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Occasionally, you cannot process it because diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near like the real-life city birds getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You might discover an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I never visited the French capital, the model behind Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where every district are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where The Metropolis Really Excels

In which the city truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights within Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will invite you to a competition, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales brim with character missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Championship, along with subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I