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

Whether it's a main series title or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Glitch switches between male and female characters, with dark and violet locks. Occasionally their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this long-running series (and among the more fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're confined to the various school uniform styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved across releases, with certain cosmetic, others substantial. However at their heart, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokémon through and through. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to innovate on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Throughout every iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and battling with adorable monsters has stayed steady for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes into that formula. It takes place completely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the expansive journeys of previous games. Pokemon are meant to live together alongside humans, trainers and civilians, in ways we've only seen glimpses of before.

Even more drastic is Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. It's here the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest transformation to date, swapping methodical turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, despite I feel eager for another traditional release. Although these changes to the classic Pokémon formula seem like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're promptly enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to join her team of battlers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your starter and are sent 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" advancement of past games. But here, you fight several trainers to gain the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Win and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: A New Approach

Character fights occur during nighttime, and sneaking around the designated battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, because all actions occur instantaneously. Moves function with cooldown timers, indicating both combatants can sometimes attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to at first. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel that there is plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will trail behind you or move to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on response post-move execution, and that information is still present on screen in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach like the real-life city birds obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You might discover an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes provide minimal diversity. While I haven't been to the French capital, the inspiration for the city, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where the city really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights within Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. An elite combat club will invite you to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) hanging above. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, along with subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I