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I'm not sure precisely when the custom began, but I always name all my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction switches between male and female characters, with black and purple locks. Occasionally their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this long-running series (and among the most fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're limited to the assorted academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokemon Games

Similar to my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved across installments, some superficial, others significant. But at their heart, they remain identical; they're always Pokemon to the core. The developers uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system some three decades back, and just recently truly attempted to evolve upon it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Across every version, the core mechanics cycle of catching and battling alongside adorable monsters has stayed steady for almost as long as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple changes into that framework. It takes place entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are meant to coexist alongside humans, trainers and civilians, in manners we've only seen glimpses of before.

Even more radical than that Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the franchise's almost ideal core cycle undergoes its biggest transformation yet, swapping deliberate sequential fights with something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for a new turn-based entry. Though these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon first arriving in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain if female) to become part of their squad of trainers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and are sent into the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement of past games. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Combat: An Innovative Approach

Character fights take place at night, and navigating stealthily the designated battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm always attempting to surprise an opponent and unleash a free attack, because everything happens instantaneously. Attacks function with cooldown timers, meaning both combatants can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's much to adjust to initially. Even after gaming for almost 30 hours, I still feel like there's much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Positioning also factors as a significant part in battles 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 live combat causes fights progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences through moves in the same order, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to become swamped. Creature fights depend on feedback post-move execution, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your adversary will spell certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to explore. It is also rich with character, and perfectly captures the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near similar to actual city birds getting in my way when walking in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang on streetlights, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

A focus on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I haven't been to the French capital, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City really shines, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword & Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Various individual battle locales overflow with personality that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Championship, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I