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I'm not sure exactly how the tradition began, however I consistently call every one of my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction switches between male and female avatars, featuring dark and violet hair. Sometimes their fashion is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in this long-running franchise (and one of the most fashion-focused releases). Other times they're confined to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed between releases, with certain cosmetic, others substantial. But at their heart, they remain the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. The developers discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to innovate upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Across all iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and fighting with charming creatures has remained steady for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes into that framework. It's set completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of previous titles. Pokemon are meant to coexist alongside people, trainers and civilians, in ways we have merely glimpsed before.

Far more radical is Z-A's real-time battle system. This is where the series' near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest transformation to date, swapping deliberate sequential bouts with more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, despite I find myself ready for another traditional release. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide for female characters) to become part of her team of battlers. 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 of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement of past games. However here, you battle several opponents to earn the chance to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: A New Frontier

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on a rival and unleash an unopposed move, because all actions occur in real time. Moves function with cooldown timers, indicating both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other at once). It's much to adjust to initially. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel that there is plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a significant part in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or move to specific locations to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Creature fights rely on response after using an attack, and that information remains visible on screen in Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and perfectly captures the vision of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths offer little variety. Although 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 all are vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights in Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Various individual battle locales overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Championship, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I