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I'm not sure exactly how the custom started, however I always name all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Glitch switches between male and female characters, with dark and violet locks. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this long-running franchise (and one of the more style-conscious releases). At other moments they're limited to the assorted academic attire designs of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved across installments, with certain cosmetic, some substantial. But at their core, they stay identical; they're always Pokemon to the core. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately three decades back, and has only seriously tried to evolve upon it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Across every iteration, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting with charming creatures has stayed steady for nearly as long as my lifetime.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations to that formula. It's set completely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of previous titles. Pokémon are meant to coexist alongside people, battlers and civilians, in ways we've only glimpsed previously.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the series' almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its biggest transformation yet, swapping deliberate turn-based fights with something more chaotic. And it's immensely fun, despite I find myself eager for a new turn-based release. Though these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your custom avatar had as a tourist get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; the male guide for female characters) to join her team of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Championship is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. However here, you fight a handful of trainers to earn the chance to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you'll be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: A New Approach

Character fights occur at night, and sneaking around the assigned combat areas is very entertaining. I'm constantly trying to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Moves function with recharge periods, meaning both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other at once). It's much to adjust to at first. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Placement also plays a significant part in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or move to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, while others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause during Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Pokémon battles rely on response post-move execution, and that information remains visible on screen within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your opponent will spell immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to visit. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the vision of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near like the real-life city birds getting in my way when walking through NYC. The monkey trio gleefully hang from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and sewer paths offer little variety. Although I never visited the French capital, the model behind Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will invite you to a competition, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Royale, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I