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I'm not sure exactly how the custom began, however I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Be it a core franchise title or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction switches between male and female avatars, featuring dark and violet locks. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this enduring series (and one of the most fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're confined to the various academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Titles

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed across releases, some cosmetic, some substantial. However at their heart, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokémon through and through. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless mechanics system some three decades back, and has only seriously tried to innovate on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character faces peril). Across all version, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and battling with charming creatures has remained steady for almost as long as my lifetime.

Breaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes to that formula. It takes place entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning adventures of earlier games. Pokemon are meant to live together with people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely seen glimpses of before.

Far more radical is Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the franchise's near-perfect core cycle experiences its most significant evolution yet, replacing deliberate sequential bouts for more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel eager for another turn-based release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're promptly recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to become part of her team of battlers. You receive a creature from them as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. However here, you battle several opponents to gain the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: A New Approach

Character fights occur at night, while navigating stealthily the designated battle zones is very entertaining. I'm always trying to get a jump on a rival and launch an unopposed move, since everything happens in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, indicating both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to get used to at first. Even after gaming for almost 30 hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Positioning also plays a significant part in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or move to designated spots to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others need to be up close and personal).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I find myself repeating sequences through moves in the same order, even when this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on response post-move execution, and that data remains visible on the display within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your opponent will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The monkey trio joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

A focus on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You might discover a passage you never visited, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and sewer paths offer little variety. Although I never visited Paris, the inspiration for Lumiose, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where no two blocks are the same, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It has beige structures with blue or red roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, providing them genuine significance and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet & Violet take place on a court with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

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