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I'm not sure precisely when the custom began, but I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Be it a main series game or a spinoff such as 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. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the long-running franchise (and among the more fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the various academic attire styles of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed across releases, some cosmetic, some substantial. However at their heart, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. The developers discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to innovate on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar faces peril). Throughout every version, the core gameplay loop of capturing and battling alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations into that framework. It takes place completely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the region-spanning adventures of previous games. Pokemon are meant to coexist with humans, battlers and civilians, in manners we've only glimpsed before.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the series' near-perfect core cycle undergoes its most significant evolution yet, swapping methodical turn-based bouts with something more chaotic. And it's immensely fun, despite I feel eager for a new traditional entry. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they create an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving in Lumiose City, whatever plans your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're promptly recruited by the female guide (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to become part of her team of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Championship is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. But here, you battle a handful of trainers to gain the opportunity to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Approach

Character fights occur during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on a rival and launch an unopposed move, because all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to adjust to initially. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Positioning also factors as a significant part during combat since your creatures will follow you around or go to specific locations to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others must be in close proximity).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and numerous chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on response after using an attack, and that data is still present on screen in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Occasionally, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your adversary will result in certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose City

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though tightly filled. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It's also full of charm, and perfectly captures the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach similar to actual pigeons getting in my way when walking in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang on streetlights, and insect creatures such as Kakuna cling on branches.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote eventually. You might discover an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield occur in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you'll battle on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings brim with character that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Royale, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I