🔗 Share this article

I'm not sure exactly how the custom started, but I always name all my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

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 avatars, with dark and violet locks. Occasionally their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the long-running series (and among the most style-conscious releases). Other times they're limited to the assorted academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Games

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed between releases, some cosmetic, others substantial. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to innovate on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every version, the core mechanics cycle of capturing and fighting alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its absence of gyms and focus on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes to that framework. It's set entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are intended to coexist with people, battlers and civilians, in ways we've only glimpsed before.

Far more radical than that Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the series' almost ideal core cycle experiences its biggest evolution yet, swapping methodical turn-based fights for more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, even as I feel eager for another turn-based release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula 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

When first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar had as a tourist are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide for female characters) to become part of her team of battlers. You receive a creature from them as your starter and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. However here, you battle several trainers to earn the chance to participate in an advancement bout. Win and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the assigned combat areas is very entertaining. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch an unopposed move, because all actions occur instantaneously. Moves function with recharge periods, meaning you and your opponent can sometimes attack each other concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to at first. Despite 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 as your Pokémon will trail behind you or move to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on feedback 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 adversary will result in certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering unseen stores and elevated areas to visit. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like 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 becomes rote over time. You might discover a passage you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. While I haven't been to the French capital, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

In which the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight 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 strikes a middle ground between the two. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Championship, as well as quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I