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I don't recall exactly how the custom began, however I always name every one of my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Be it a core franchise title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Glitch alternates from male to female avatars, featuring black and purple hair. Occasionally their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this long-running franchise (and among the more fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, some cosmetic, others significant. But at their core, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some three decades back, and has only truly attempted to innovate on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Across all version, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and fighting alongside adorable monsters has remained steady for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its absence of gyms and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several deviations to that formula. It's set completely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of earlier games. Pokemon are intended to coexist with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed before.

Far more radical is Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. It's here the series' almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its biggest transformation to date, swapping methodical sequential fights with something more chaotic. And it's immensely fun, even as I feel ready for a new turn-based entry. Though these changes to the classic Pokémon formula seem like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your custom avatar had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to join her team of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. But here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, and sneaking around the assigned battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm always trying to get a jump on a rival and unleash an unopposed move, since all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks operate on recharge periods, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's much to adjust to at first. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Placement also plays a significant part in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or go to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I often repeating sequences through moves in the same order, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on response post-move execution, and that information is still present on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Occasionally, you cannot process it because taking your eyes off your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to visit. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans coexisting. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach similar to actual pigeons getting in my way while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on urban life is a new direction for the franchise, and a positive change. Even so, navigating the city becomes rote eventually. You might discover an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. While I never visited Paris, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where every district differs, and they're all vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has beige structures topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where the city really shines, oddly enough, is indoors. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet take place in a field with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales brim with character missing in the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Repetition

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