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I don't recall exactly how the custom began, 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 and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction switches between male and female avatars, with black and purple hair. Sometimes their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this enduring series (and among the most fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the various academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed across installments, some cosmetic, others significant. However at their core, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokémon to the core. The developers discovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula some three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to innovate on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout all version, the core mechanics cycle of catching and fighting alongside charming creatures has remained consistent for nearly the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations into that formula. It takes place completely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the expansive adventures of earlier games. Pokémon are meant to coexist with humans, trainers and civilians, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of before.

Even more radical than that Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its biggest evolution to date, replacing methodical sequential fights with something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself eager for a new turn-based release. Although these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they create a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to join their squad of trainers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your first partner and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. But here, you battle several opponents to earn the opportunity to compete in an advancement bout. Succeed and you'll be promoted to a higher tier, with the final objective of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm always attempting to surprise a rival and launch a free attack, because everything happens in real time. Moves function with recharge periods, indicating both combatants may occasionally attack each other concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's a lot to get used to initially. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that work together synergistically. 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, while others need to be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I often sometimes cycling through moves in identical patterns, despite this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There's no time to pause during Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on feedback post-move execution, and that information is still present on the display in Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Occasionally, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your opponent will result in certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering unseen stores and elevated areas to visit. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach similar to actual city birds obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, exploring Lumiose becomes rote eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I haven't been to Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual battle locales overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Championship, along with subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I