Pokémon Chronicles: Z-A - A Fresh Evolution Yet Remaining True to Its Origins

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

Whether it's a core franchise title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Glitch switches from male to female characters, with dark and violet hair. Occasionally their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the long-running series (and one of the more style-conscious entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved across installments, some cosmetic, some substantial. However at their heart, they remain identical; they're always Pokémon through and through. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Throughout every version, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and battling with adorable monsters has stayed steady for almost as long as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes to that formula. It takes place completely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of previous titles. Pokémon are intended to live together with people, trainers and civilians, in manners we've only seen glimpses of before.

Even more radical is Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the series' almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution yet, swapping methodical sequential bouts for something more chaotic. And it's immensely fun, even as I feel eager for a new turn-based entry. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; the male guide if female) to join her team of battlers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Championship is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. But here, you fight a handful of trainers to earn the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Win and you'll be promoted to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: A New Frontier

Trainer battles take place at night, and navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to surprise a rival and unleash an unopposed move, because all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks operate on recharge periods, meaning both combatants can sometimes attack each other concurrently (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to initially. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Placement also factors as a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights depend on feedback after using an attack, and that information is still present on the display in Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Occasionally, you cannot process it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to explore. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of creatures and humans coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near similar to actual city birds getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I never visited the French capital, the model behind Lumiose, 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 City lacks that quality. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights within Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground 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 will combat in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales brim with character missing in the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Routine

Throughout the Championship, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I