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I don't recall precisely when the custom began, but I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a core franchise title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Glitch switches from male to female characters, featuring dark and violet hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the enduring franchise (and among the more style-conscious entries). Other times they're limited to the various school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed across releases, some cosmetic, some significant. But at their core, they stay the same; they're always Pokemon to the core. The developers discovered an almost flawless gameplay formula some three decades back, and has only truly attempted to innovate on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Throughout every version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and fighting alongside charming creatures has remained consistent for almost as long as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes to that framework. It's set entirely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive journeys of previous games. Pokémon are intended to coexist alongside people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely glimpsed previously.

Far more drastic is Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the series' almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its biggest transformation to date, replacing methodical turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, even as I find myself ready for a new traditional release. Although these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to become part of her team of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression of past games. But here, you battle several opponents to earn the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Combat: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles occur at night, and sneaking around the assigned combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm always attempting to surprise a rival and unleash an unopposed move, since all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks function with cooldown timers, meaning both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to at first. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Positioning also plays a significant part in battles since your creatures will follow you around or go to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others need to be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, despite this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on feedback post-move execution, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna cling on branches.

A focus on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You might discover an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and many elevated areas and sewer paths offer little variety. Although 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 are the same, and they're all alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where the city really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Royale, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I