🔗 Share this article

I don't recall exactly how the custom began, but I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Be it a core franchise title or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction switches between male and female avatars, featuring black and purple locks. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running series (and among the more style-conscious entries). At other moments they're limited to the various academic attire styles of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Games

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed across installments, with certain superficial, some substantial. However at their core, they remain identical; they're consistently Pokémon to the core. The developers uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system some three decades back, and has only truly attempted to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and battling alongside adorable monsters has remained steady for almost the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several deviations to that formula. It takes place completely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are intended to live together alongside humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Far more radical than that Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. It's here the series' near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its most significant transformation yet, replacing deliberate turn-based bouts with something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel ready for a new turn-based release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula seem like they create an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain if female) to become part of their squad of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement of past games. But here, you fight a handful of opponents to gain the chance to participate in an advancement bout. Win and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving rank A.

Real-Time Battles: A New Frontier

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm constantly attempting to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, because everything happens instantaneously. Attacks function with cooldown timers, indicating both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other at once). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Despite gaming for almost thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn regarding employing my creatures' attacks in methods that complement each other. Placement also factors as a major role during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or move to designated spots to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves 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 depend on response post-move execution, and that data is still present on the display within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your opponent will result in certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It's also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and many elevated areas and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited Paris, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights within Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, giving them real weight and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in restaurants with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will invite you to a competition, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Comfort of Repetition

During the Championship, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I