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I don't recall exactly how the custom began, but I always name all my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Malfunction alternates between male and female avatars, with dark and violet locks. Sometimes their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the enduring series (and among the most style-conscious entries). At other moments they're confined to the assorted academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed between installments, with certain cosmetic, others significant. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokemon to the core. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some three decades back, and has only seriously tried to evolve on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Across all iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and battling alongside adorable monsters has remained steady for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations to that formula. It's set entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning adventures of earlier games. Pokémon are meant to coexist with people, trainers and civilians, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the series' near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its biggest transformation to date, swapping methodical sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, even as I find myself eager for another traditional entry. Though these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're promptly recruited by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to join their squad of battlers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Championship.

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 several opponents to earn the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Win and you'll be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of reaching rank A.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the designated battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on an opponent and unleash a free attack, since everything happens instantaneously. Moves function with recharge periods, indicating both combatants can sometimes strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's a lot to get used to at first. Even after playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will trail behind you or move to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others need to 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 amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles rely on feedback after using an attack, and that information is still present on screen within Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because diverting attention from your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose City

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering new shops and rooftops to explore. It's also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna cling to trees.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon a passage you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. While I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where every district differs, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct combat settings brim with character that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I