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I don't recall precisely when the custom began, however I always name 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 always stays the same. Glitch alternates between male and female avatars, with black and purple locks. Occasionally their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in the enduring series (and among the most style-conscious releases). At other moments they're confined to the various school uniform styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Games

Similar to my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved across installments, with certain superficial, others substantial. But at their heart, they stay identical; they're consistently Pokemon through and through. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to evolve upon it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Throughout all version, the core mechanics cycle of catching and battling alongside charming creatures has remained consistent for almost as long as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations to that framework. It's set entirely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the region-spanning adventures of earlier titles. Pokemon are meant to coexist with people, battlers and civilians, in manners we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the series' near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution to date, replacing deliberate turn-based bouts for something more chaotic. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel ready for a new traditional release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula seem like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar had as a tourist are discarded; you're promptly recruited by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to become part of their squad of battlers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your first partner and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Championship is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. But here, you fight several trainers to earn the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Win and you'll be promoted to a higher tier, with the final objective of reaching the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Approach

Character fights occur during nighttime, and sneaking around the assigned combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to surprise an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, because everything happens in real time. Attacks operate on cooldown timers, indicating both combatants can sometimes attack each other concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to at first. Even after playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel like there's much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a significant part during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or move to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be up close and personal).

The live combat causes fights progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights rely on feedback post-move execution, and that information remains visible on the display within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and rooftops to visit. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight as you approach similar to actual pigeons getting in my way while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote eventually. You might discover an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I haven't been to Paris, the inspiration for Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Really Excels

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved 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 take place on a court with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of a certain faction with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings brim with character that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Repetition

During the Championship, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I