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I don't recall precisely when the custom started, however I always name every one of my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction switches between male and female avatars, with black and purple hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this long-running series (and one of the most fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're confined to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed across releases, some superficial, others significant. However at their heart, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokémon through and through. The developers uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system some 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to innovate on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Throughout every iteration, the core mechanics cycle of catching and fighting alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring lack of arenas and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations to that framework. It takes place entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the expansive adventures of earlier titles. Pokémon are meant to coexist with people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed before.

Far more radical is Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the series' almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its most significant evolution to date, replacing methodical sequential bouts with more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel ready for another traditional release. Although these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula seem like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain if female) to join her team of battlers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and are sent into the Z-A Royale.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. But here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the opportunity to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you'll be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of reaching rank A.

Live-Action Battles: A New Frontier

Character fights take place at night, and navigating stealthily the designated battle zones is very entertaining. I'm constantly trying to surprise an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Moves function with recharge periods, indicating both combatants can sometimes attack each other concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's much to get used to initially. Even after playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in methods that work together synergistically. Positioning also plays a significant part during combat since your creatures will follow you around or move to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast 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 breathe in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on response post-move execution, and that data is still present on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your adversary will spell certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I continue to find new shops and rooftops to explore. It is also rich with character, and perfectly captures the vision of creatures and humans coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near similar to actual city birds getting in my way when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna cling to trees.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. 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 the city, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where every district differs, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where the city really shines, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. An elite combat club will invite you to a competition, and you'll battle on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality missing in the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, along with subduing wild powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I