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I don't recall exactly how the tradition began, however I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Be it a main series title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch alternates between male and female avatars, with black and purple locks. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this enduring series (and one of the more style-conscious entries). Other times they're limited to the various school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed between installments, with certain cosmetic, others substantial. But at their heart, they stay identical; they're consistently Pokemon through and through. The developers discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout all version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and battling alongside adorable monsters has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations to that formula. It's set entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are meant to live together alongside people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely seen glimpses of before.

Even more radical than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. It's here the franchise's near-perfect core cycle undergoes its biggest transformation to date, swapping methodical turn-based fights with something more chaotic. And it's immensely fun, despite I feel eager for another turn-based release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

When first arriving in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to become part of their squad of battlers. You're gifted a creature from them as your starter and are sent into the Z-A Championship.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. But here, you fight a handful of trainers to earn the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Battles: A New Frontier

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, and sneaking around the designated combat areas is very entertaining. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on a rival and unleash an unopposed move, because everything happens in real time. Attacks function with recharge periods, meaning both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to get used to at first. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Positioning also plays a major role 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 in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I often repeating sequences through moves in the same order, even when this results in a suboptimal strategy. There's no time to pause during Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on response after using an attack, and that data remains visible on the display within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your adversary will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to explore. It's also full of charm, and perfectly captures the vision of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach like the real-life city birds obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna cling to trees.

A focus on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I never visited Paris, the inspiration for the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where every district differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where the city really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword and Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the beautifully designed base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct battle locales brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis in general.

The Comfort of Routine

Throughout the Royale, along with quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I