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I'm not sure precisely when the tradition started, however I always name every one of 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 name never changes. Malfunction alternates between male and female characters, with dark and violet hair. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the enduring franchise (and one of the more style-conscious entries). At other moments they're confined to the various school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they're always Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved across installments, with certain cosmetic, others substantial. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokemon through and through. The developers discovered an almost flawless gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve upon it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Across every version, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting with charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly as long as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several deviations into that formula. It takes place entirely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive journeys of earlier titles. Pokemon are meant to coexist with people, battlers and civilians, in manners we've only glimpsed previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the series' almost ideal core cycle undergoes its biggest transformation to date, replacing methodical turn-based bouts for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel eager for a new traditional entry. Though these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they create an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar had as a tourist are discarded; you're immediately recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to become part of her team of trainers. You receive a creature from them 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 classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. However here, you battle several opponents to earn the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Win and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: A New Approach

Trainer battles occur at night, while navigating stealthily the designated battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm constantly attempting to surprise a rival and unleash a free attack, because all actions occur in real time. Attacks function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to adjust to at first. Even after gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Placement also plays a major role during combat since your creatures will follow you around or go to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be up close and personal).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe during Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on response after using an attack, and that data is still present on screen in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Far into the adventure, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to visit. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna cling to trees.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Even so, exploring Lumiose becomes rote eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. While I never visited Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where every district differs, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where The Metropolis Really Excels

Where the city really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a tournament, and you will combat in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the beautifully designed base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis in general.

The Comfort of Repetition

During the Championship, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and filling the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I