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I don't recall exactly how the custom began, however I always name every one of my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a core franchise title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Malfunction switches from male to female avatars, featuring black and purple locks. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the long-running series (and among the most fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're confined to the various school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed between releases, some cosmetic, others significant. However at their core, they remain the same; they're always Pokemon to the core. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless mechanics system some 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar faces peril). Across every iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and fighting with adorable monsters has remained steady for almost as long as my lifetime.

Breaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations to that formula. It takes place completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the region-spanning adventures of earlier titles. Pokémon are intended to coexist with people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only glimpsed previously.

Even more drastic is Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the series' near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its most significant transformation yet, swapping deliberate sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I find myself eager for another traditional entry. Although these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe sound like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon first arriving in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; the male guide if female) to join her team of battlers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent into the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" progression of past games. But here, you battle several opponents to gain the chance to compete in a promotion match. Win and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the final objective of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Character fights take place at night, while navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to surprise a rival and unleash a free attack, because all actions occur in real time. Moves function with recharge periods, meaning both combatants may occasionally attack each other concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Placement also plays a major role during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or go to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, even when this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on feedback after using an attack, and that information remains visible on screen in Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Occasionally, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to visit. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way when walking through NYC. The monkey trio gleefully hang from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. Although I haven't been to the French capital, the model behind Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks are the same, and they're all alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where the city really shines, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, giving them real weight and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. 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 on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings brim with character missing in the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Championship, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I