🔗 Share this article

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

Whether it's a main series title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch switches between male and female avatars, with dark and violet locks. Sometimes their fashion is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this enduring franchise (and among the more fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted school uniform styles from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Games

Much like my characters, the Pokémon games have transformed across installments, with certain cosmetic, some significant. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon through and through. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to evolve upon it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Across all version, the core gameplay loop of capturing and battling with charming creatures has stayed steady for almost as long as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations to that formula. It takes place entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of previous games. Pokemon are intended to coexist alongside people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed previously.

Even more radical is Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. It's here the series' near-perfect core cycle experiences its most significant transformation to date, replacing deliberate sequential bouts for more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, despite I feel ready for a new traditional release. Though these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula seem like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving in Lumiose City, whatever plans 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 trainers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched into the Z-A Royale.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the assigned combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to surprise a rival and unleash an unopposed move, since everything happens in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, indicating both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to at first. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel like there's much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will trail behind you or go to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others need to be up close and personal).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on feedback post-move execution, and that information is still present on the display in Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your opponent will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and rooftops to visit. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path while strolling through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

A focus on city living is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. Although I never visited Paris, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a city where every district are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights in Sword & Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with two random people observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Royale, along with subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I