Pokémon Chronicles: Z-A - An Innovative Transformation While Remaining True to Its Origins

I'm not sure precisely when the custom started, however I always name all my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction alternates from male to female avatars, with black and purple locks. Occasionally their style is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the long-running series (and among the more fashion-focused releases). Other times they're confined to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Titles

Much like my characters, the Pokémon games have transformed across installments, with certain superficial, some significant. But at their core, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokemon through and through. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless mechanics system some 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to innovate upon it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar faces peril). Throughout every iteration, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and fighting alongside adorable monsters has stayed steady for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes to that framework. It takes place entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive journeys of earlier titles. Pokemon are meant to live together alongside people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Far more radical than that Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the series' near-perfect core cycle experiences its biggest transformation to date, replacing deliberate turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, even as I feel ready for a new traditional release. Though these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they create an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; 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 Royale.

The Royale is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you fight several opponents to gain the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of reaching rank A.

Live-Action Combat: A New Approach

Character fights take place at night, and sneaking around the designated combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm always trying to get a jump on an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, since all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks function with cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to adjust to initially. Even after playing for nearly thirty hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that work together synergistically. Positioning also plays a major role in battles as your Pokémon will trail behind you or move to designated spots to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others need to be up close and personal).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I often repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles rely on response after using an attack, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your adversary will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to visit. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna cling to trees.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You might discover an alley you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths offer little variety. While I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks are the same, and all are vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights within Sword and Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing while they eat. A fancy battle society will invite you 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 base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality missing in the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Routine

Throughout the Championship, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I