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I'm not sure precisely when the custom began, however I always name all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a core franchise game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction alternates from male to female characters, featuring black and purple hair. Occasionally their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in this long-running series (and among the more fashion-focused releases). Other times they're confined to the assorted academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved across releases, some superficial, some significant. But at their core, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokémon through and through. The developers uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to evolve on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar faces peril). Throughout every iteration, the core gameplay loop of capturing and fighting alongside charming creatures has remained consistent for almost as long as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its absence of gyms and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations to that framework. It takes place entirely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive adventures of earlier games. Pokémon are meant to live together alongside humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Even more drastic is Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. It's here the franchise's almost ideal core cycle experiences its biggest evolution yet, replacing methodical sequential bouts for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself ready for another traditional release. Although these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula seem like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar had as a tourist get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to become part of her team of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece 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. Succeed and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of reaching the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Character fights occur during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Moves function with cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's much to get used to initially. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is plenty to learn regarding employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Positioning also factors as a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to specific locations to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action causes fights progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe during Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights rely on response after using an attack, and that information remains visible on screen in Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your adversary will result in certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach similar to actual pigeons getting in my way while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Even so, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and many elevated areas and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I haven't been to Paris, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where every district differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet take place on a court with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court 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 purple partitions. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality missing in the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I