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I don't recall exactly how the tradition started, however I consistently call every one of my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Be it a main series game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch switches between male and female characters, with dark and violet hair. Occasionally their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in this enduring series (and among the more fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're limited to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved across releases, with certain superficial, others substantial. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon through and through. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula some 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to evolve on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character faces peril). Across all version, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and battling alongside charming creatures has remained steady for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple changes into that formula. It's set completely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive adventures of previous titles. Pokemon are meant to coexist alongside humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely glimpsed previously.

Far more drastic is Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the franchise's almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its biggest transformation to date, replacing methodical sequential bouts for something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, even as I find myself ready for a new traditional entry. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to become part of their squad of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. But here, you fight several trainers to earn the chance to compete in a promotion match. Succeed and you'll be promoted to a higher tier, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Battles: A New Frontier

Character fights take place at night, while sneaking around the assigned battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch a free attack, because everything happens in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, meaning you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to adjust to initially. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn regarding employing my creatures' attacks in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a significant part in battles as your Pokémon 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 makes battles 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 pause during Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Pokémon battles rely on response after using an attack, and that data remains visible on the display in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach like the real-life city birds obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The monkey trio gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and sewer paths offer little variety. While I haven't been to the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights in Sword & Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will invite you to a tournament, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) hanging above. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Royale, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I