Pokémon Chronicles: Z-A - An Innovative Evolution While Staying Faithful to Its Origins

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

Whether it's a core franchise game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch switches from male to female characters, with black and purple locks. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this long-running franchise (and among the more style-conscious releases). At other moments they're confined to the various academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they're always Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Games

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed between releases, with certain cosmetic, some significant. However at their core, they remain identical; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. The developers uncovered an almost flawless gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to innovate upon it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Throughout every version, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and battling with charming creatures has remained consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, with its absence of gyms and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations into that formula. It takes place entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are meant to live together alongside people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of before.

Even more radical is Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the series' almost ideal core cycle experiences its biggest transformation to date, swapping methodical turn-based fights for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for another traditional entry. Although these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by Taunie (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to become part of her team of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Championship is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. But here, you fight several opponents to gain the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: A New Approach

Character fights occur during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm always trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch a free attack, because all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks function with recharge periods, indicating both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to adjust to initially. Despite gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel that there is much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Positioning also plays a significant part during combat since your creatures 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 through moves in the same order, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe during Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights rely on feedback post-move execution, and that information is still present on screen within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Occasionally, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your opponent will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to visit. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the vision of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You might discover an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I never visited Paris, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed terraces.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where the city truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. An elite combat club will invite you to a tournament, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of a certain faction with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

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