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I don't recall precisely when the tradition started, but I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a main series game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction switches between male and female characters, featuring black and purple locks. Sometimes their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the long-running series (and one of the more fashion-focused entries). Other times they're confined to the various academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokémon Games

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved between releases, with certain cosmetic, some significant. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokemon through and through. The developers discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately three decades back, and just recently truly attempted to evolve upon it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Throughout all version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and battling alongside adorable monsters has stayed consistent for almost as long as I've been alive.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its absence of gyms and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several deviations to that framework. It takes place entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the expansive adventures of previous titles. Pokémon are meant to live together alongside humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Even more radical is Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the franchise's almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its biggest transformation yet, replacing methodical sequential bouts for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself eager for a new turn-based release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to join her team of trainers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched into the Z-A Championship.

The Championship is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. But here, you fight a handful of trainers to earn the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles take place at night, and sneaking around the designated combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm always trying to surprise an opponent and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, meaning both combatants may occasionally attack each other concurrently (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to initially. Despite gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel like there's much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a significant part during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or go to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be up close and personal).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, even when this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on feedback after using an attack, and that information remains visible on the display in Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because taking your eyes off your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose City

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. 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 concept of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach like the real-life city birds obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Even so, navigating the city 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 underground routes provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited the French capital, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It has beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Really Excels

In which Lumiose City really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights within Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, providing them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing while they eat. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings brim with character missing in the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Royale, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I