Pokémon Legends: Z-A - A Fresh Transformation Yet Staying Faithful to Its Roots

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

Whether it's a core franchise title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Glitch alternates from male to female characters, featuring dark and violet locks. Sometimes their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in this enduring franchise (and one of the more style-conscious entries). At other moments they're confined to the assorted school uniform styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed across installments, some cosmetic, others significant. However at their heart, they stay identical; they're consistently Pokémon through and through. The developers discovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to evolve on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar faces peril). Across every version, the core gameplay loop of capturing and fighting alongside adorable monsters has remained steady for nearly as long as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes into that formula. It's set entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive adventures of previous titles. Pokémon are meant to live together with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely glimpsed previously.

Far more radical is Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the series' almost ideal core cycle experiences its most significant transformation to date, replacing deliberate sequential bouts with more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I find myself eager for another turn-based release. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to join their squad of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. But here, you battle several opponents to gain the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: A New Approach

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, and sneaking around the assigned combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm always attempting to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks operate on cooldown timers, meaning both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to adjust to at first. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel that there is much to master in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Positioning also plays a major role in battles since your creatures will follow you around or go 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 sometimes cycling through moves in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles rely on feedback post-move execution, and that information is still present on the display in Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to explore. It's also full of charm, and perfectly captures the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach similar to actual city birds getting in my way while strolling through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You might discover a passage you never visited, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I never visited Paris, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where every district differs, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and simply designed terraces.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries 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 under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings brim with character missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

Throughout the Royale, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I