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I'm not sure precisely when the custom began, but I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a core franchise title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction switches from male to female avatars, with black and purple hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the enduring series (and among the more fashion-focused releases). Other times they're limited to the various academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Games

Similar to my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed across releases, with certain superficial, others substantial. But at their core, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokémon through and through. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to innovate upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar is now in danger). Across every iteration, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and battling alongside adorable monsters has stayed consistent for almost as long as my lifetime.

Breaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, with its absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations to that framework. It's set entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of previous games. Pokémon are meant to live together alongside humans, trainers and civilians, in manners we've only seen glimpses of before.

Even more drastic is Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the series' near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution yet, swapping deliberate turn-based fights with more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, even as I feel eager for a new turn-based entry. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula seem like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain if female) to become part of her team of battlers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

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 earn the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the final objective of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: A New Frontier

Trainer battles occur at night, while sneaking around the designated battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, since everything happens in real time. Attacks function with cooldown timers, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to get used to at first. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a significant part during combat since your creatures will follow you around or move to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and numerous chances to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on feedback after using an attack, and that information is still present on the display within Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to visit. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach like the real-life city birds getting in my way when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on urban life is a new direction for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote eventually. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I never visited Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where every district differs, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It has beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City really shines, surprisingly, is indoors. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, giving them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales brim with character missing in the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Royale, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I