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I'm not sure precisely when the custom started, but I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Be it a main series title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction switches between male and female avatars, featuring dark and violet hair. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running series (and one of the most fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're limited to the various school uniform styles of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Games

Similar to my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved across releases, some cosmetic, some significant. But at their core, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. The developers discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately three decades back, and just recently truly attempted to evolve upon it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Across all version, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and battling alongside charming creatures has stayed steady for almost as long as I've been alive.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring absence of gyms and focus on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations into that framework. It's set entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive adventures of earlier games. Pokémon are meant to coexist with people, trainers and civilians, in manners we have merely seen glimpses of before.

Far more drastic is Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the series' near-perfect core cycle experiences its biggest transformation to date, replacing methodical sequential bouts for something more chaotic. And it is immensely fun, even as I feel ready for a new traditional release. Though these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

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

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. However here, you battle a handful of opponents to gain the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Real-Time Combat: A New Frontier

Character fights take place at night, while sneaking around the assigned battle zones is very entertaining. I'm always attempting to get a jump on a rival and unleash an unopposed move, because everything happens instantaneously. Attacks operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Despite gaming for almost thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn regarding employing my creatures' attacks in methods that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will trail behind you or move to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on feedback after using an attack, and that data remains visible on the display in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your adversary will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and elevated areas to visit. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

A focus on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. Although I never visited Paris, the model behind Lumiose, 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 give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation 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 brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Comfort of Repetition

Throughout the Royale, along with subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I