🔗 Share this article

I'm not sure precisely when the custom began, however I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a main series title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction alternates from male to female avatars, featuring dark and violet hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this long-running series (and one of the more fashion-focused releases). Other times they're confined to the assorted school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed between installments, with certain superficial, some substantial. But at their heart, they stay identical; they're always Pokémon to the core. Game Freak uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Throughout all iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and fighting with charming creatures has stayed steady for nearly as long as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes to that framework. It's set entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of earlier titles. Pokémon are intended to live together alongside people, battlers and civilians, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Even more radical is Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its most significant transformation yet, replacing methodical sequential bouts for more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself eager for a new turn-based entry. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula seem like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to become part of their squad of battlers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to gain the opportunity to compete in an advancement bout. Succeed and you'll be promoted to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Real-Time Combat: A New Approach

Character fights take place during nighttime, and sneaking around the assigned battle zones is quite enjoyable. I'm always trying to get a jump on a rival and launch an unopposed move, since everything happens instantaneously. Attacks function with recharge periods, meaning both combatants can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to get used to initially. Despite gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Positioning also factors as a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to specific locations to perform attacks (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 repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on response post-move execution, and that data remains visible 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 spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to visit. It is also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near like the real-life city birds getting in my way when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna cling on branches.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote eventually. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I haven't been to the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where every district are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Really Excels

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights in Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You will fight in restaurants with patrons watching 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. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings brim with character missing in the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Championship, along with subduing wild powered-up creatures and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I