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I don't recall exactly how the custom started, but I always name every one of my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Be it a main series game or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction alternates from male to female avatars, featuring dark and violet locks. Occasionally their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in the enduring franchise (and one of the most fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted academic attire styles of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved across releases, some cosmetic, others significant. However at their core, they remain identical; they're consistently Pokemon through and through. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately three decades back, and has only truly attempted to evolve upon it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character faces peril). Across every iteration, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting with adorable monsters has stayed steady for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations into that framework. It's set entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of previous games. Pokemon are meant to coexist with people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed before.

Far more radical is Z-A's real-time battle system. This is where the series' almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its biggest evolution yet, replacing methodical turn-based bouts with something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself eager for another traditional entry. Although these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to become part of her team of trainers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your starter and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Championship 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 battle several opponents to gain the opportunity to compete in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles occur at night, and sneaking around the assigned combat areas is very entertaining. I'm constantly attempting to surprise an opponent and launch a free attack, because all actions occur instantaneously. Moves operate on recharge periods, indicating both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Even after playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Placement also plays a major role in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or go to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I often sometimes cycling through moves in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There's no time to breathe during Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on response post-move execution, and that information remains visible on screen within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your adversary will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near like the real-life city birds getting in my way while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna cling on branches.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes provide minimal diversity. While I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where every district differs, and all are vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and simply designed terraces.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

In which the city truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching while they eat. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed base of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct battle locales brim with character that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Championship, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I