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

Be it a core franchise title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch switches from male to female characters, with dark and violet hair. Occasionally their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this long-running series (and among the most fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're limited to the assorted academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved across releases, some cosmetic, others significant. But at their core, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokemon through and through. The developers uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to innovate upon it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every version, the core gameplay loop of capturing and fighting with charming creatures has stayed steady for nearly the same duration as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes into that framework. It's set completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are meant to coexist alongside people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only glimpsed previously.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the series' near-perfect core cycle experiences its most significant evolution yet, replacing methodical turn-based fights for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for another turn-based entry. Although these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to join her team of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner 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 from earlier titles. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: An Innovative Approach

Character fights occur during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, since everything happens in real time. Moves function with cooldown timers, meaning both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to initially. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel that there is plenty to learn in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to designated spots to perform attacks (some are long-range, while others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences through moves in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of chances to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on feedback after using an attack, and that data remains visible on the display in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because taking your eyes off your opponent will result in certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, taking flight as you approach similar to actual pigeons getting in my way when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna cling to trees.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. While I haven't been to Paris, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet take place on a court with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual battle locales overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I