Pokémon Legends: Z-A - An Innovative Transformation While Staying True to Its Roots

I don't recall exactly how the custom began, however I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction alternates from male to female characters, with black and purple hair. Occasionally their fashion is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in the enduring series (and one of the most style-conscious entries). At other moments they're limited to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my characters, the Pokémon games have transformed across installments, with certain cosmetic, some substantial. But at their core, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. The developers discovered an almost flawless gameplay formula approximately three decades back, and has only seriously tried to innovate upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Throughout all version, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting alongside adorable monsters has stayed consistent for nearly as long as I've been alive.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations to that formula. It's set completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning adventures of earlier titles. Pokémon are intended to coexist with humans, battlers and civilians, in manners we've only glimpsed before.

Far more radical is Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the series' almost ideal core cycle undergoes its most significant evolution yet, replacing deliberate turn-based fights for something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself eager for a new turn-based entry. Though these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to join their squad of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement from earlier titles. But here, you battle a handful of opponents to earn the opportunity to compete in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Combat: A New Approach

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm always attempting to surprise a rival and unleash an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Attacks operate on cooldown timers, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to get used to initially. Even after playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Placement also factors as a major role during combat since your creatures will follow you around or move to specific locations to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I find myself repeating sequences through moves in the same order, even when this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and plenty of chances to become swamped. Creature fights depend on response post-move execution, and that information is still present on the display within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your opponent will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the vision of creatures and humans coexisting. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I haven't been to Paris, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and they're all 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 Really Excels

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword & Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Championship, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I