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I don't recall precisely when the custom started, however I always name every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Be it a main series title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction switches from male to female characters, featuring black and purple hair. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in this enduring franchise (and one of the more fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted academic attire designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed between installments, with certain cosmetic, others substantial. But at their heart, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokémon 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 avatar faces peril). Throughout every iteration, the core gameplay loop of capturing and battling with charming creatures has stayed steady for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, featuring lack of arenas and focus on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes to that formula. It's set entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of previous titles. Pokémon are intended to coexist alongside humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely glimpsed before.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the series' almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its biggest transformation to date, replacing methodical turn-based bouts for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel ready for a new traditional release. Although these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they create a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your custom avatar had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly recruited by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to become part of her team of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner and you're dispatched into the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. However here, you fight a handful of trainers to earn the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Win and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving rank A.

Real-Time Battles: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while sneaking around the assigned battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to surprise an opponent and unleash a free attack, because all actions occur in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to adjust to at first. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel that there is much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Placement also plays a major role in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or go to specific locations to perform attacks (some are long-range, while others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I often repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles rely on response after using an attack, and that data is still present on the display within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because diverting attention from your opponent will spell certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering new shops 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 while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on urban life is a new direction for the franchise, and a welcome one. Even so, navigating the city becomes rote eventually. You might discover an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes provide minimal diversity. While I never visited the French capital, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It has beige structures topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights within Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, giving them real weight and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with two random people 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. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. 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 overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Championship, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I