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I'm not sure precisely when the custom started, but I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Be it a core franchise game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Glitch alternates from male to female characters, with black and purple hair. Occasionally their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the long-running franchise (and one of the more fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're limited to the assorted academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved across releases, with certain superficial, others substantial. However at their heart, they stay identical; they're always Pokémon through and through. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately three decades back, and has only truly attempted to innovate upon it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every iteration, the core mechanics cycle of capturing and battling with adorable monsters has stayed consistent for nearly as long as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations into that framework. It takes place completely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning adventures of previous games. Pokemon are meant to live together alongside humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely glimpsed before.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its biggest transformation to date, swapping deliberate sequential bouts for something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself ready for another turn-based entry. Although these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they create a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

When initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to become part of their squad of trainers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Championship is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. However here, you battle a handful of trainers to earn the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Character fights take place at night, while navigating stealthily the assigned combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on a rival and launch an unopposed move, because all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks function with cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other at once). It's a lot to get used to at first. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a major role in battles as your Pokémon will trail behind you or go to designated spots 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 repeating sequences through moves in identical patterns, even when this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles rely on response after using an attack, and that data is still present on the display in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it since diverting attention from your opponent will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose City

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and insect creatures such as Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and sewer paths offer little variety. While I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and they're all 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

In which the city really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights within Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, giving them real weight and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet and Violet take place on a court with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You will fight in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will invite you to a tournament, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

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