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I'm not sure exactly how the tradition started, however I consistently call every one of my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a core franchise game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction alternates between male and female avatars, with dark and violet hair. Sometimes their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in the long-running series (and one of the more style-conscious releases). Other times they're limited to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed between releases, with certain superficial, others substantial. However at their core, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to innovate upon it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every version, the core gameplay loop of catching and battling alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for almost the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple changes into that formula. It's set completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of previous games. Pokemon are meant to live together with humans, battlers and civilians, in manners we've only seen glimpses of before.

Even more radical is Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution to date, swapping deliberate turn-based fights for more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, even as I feel eager for a new traditional release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they create a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to join her team of trainers. You receive a creature from them as your first partner and are sent into the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you fight several trainers to gain the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Succeed and you'll be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: A New Approach

Character fights occur at night, while navigating stealthily the designated battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm always trying to get a jump on a rival and launch a free attack, because all actions occur instantaneously. Moves operate on cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes attack each other concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's much to adjust to at first. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is plenty to learn in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Positioning also factors as a significant part in battles since your creatures will follow you around or move to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action causes fights progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences through moves in the same order, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on feedback post-move execution, and that information is still present on the display in Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your opponent will spell certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering 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, flying away when you get near similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes provide minimal diversity. While I haven't been to the French capital, the inspiration for the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and they're all vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights in Sword and Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Various individual battle locales brim with character missing in the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, along with subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I