Pokemon Legends: Z-A - An Innovative Evolution While Staying Faithful to Its Origins

I'm not sure exactly how the tradition began, but I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a core franchise title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction switches from male to female avatars, with dark and violet hair. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in the enduring franchise (and one of the most fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted academic attire styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed between installments, some cosmetic, others substantial. However at their heart, they remain identical; they're always Pokémon through and through. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately three decades back, and just recently truly attempted to innovate on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Throughout every iteration, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting with charming creatures has remained consistent for nearly as long as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations to that formula. It's set completely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of previous titles. Pokemon are intended to live together alongside people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Far more radical is Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the series' near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest evolution to date, swapping methodical turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel ready for another turn-based entry. Although these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly recruited by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to join their squad 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 from earlier titles. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: A New Frontier

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is very entertaining. I'm constantly trying to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, since everything happens in real time. Moves function with recharge periods, indicating both combatants can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's much to get used to initially. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Placement also plays a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will trail behind you or move to specific locations to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, despite this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles rely on response after using an attack, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and rooftops to explore. It is also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. While I never visited Paris, the inspiration for the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and all are vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them genuine significance and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation 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 elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings brim with character that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Royale, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I