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I don't recall precisely when the tradition started, but I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise game or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction switches between male and female avatars, with black and purple locks. Sometimes their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in the long-running franchise (and one of the most style-conscious entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokemon Games

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed between installments, some cosmetic, some substantial. However at their heart, they stay identical; they're consistently Pokemon through and through. The developers discovered an almost flawless mechanics system some 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to evolve on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout all iteration, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting alongside charming creatures has stayed steady for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations into that framework. It takes place entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are meant to live together with humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely seen glimpses of before.

Even more radical than that Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the franchise's almost ideal core cycle undergoes its biggest transformation to date, replacing deliberate sequential bouts with something more chaotic. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself ready for another traditional release. Though these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar had as a tourist are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain if female) to join their squad of trainers. You receive a creature from them as your first partner and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression of past games. But here, you fight a handful of trainers to gain the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm always trying to get a jump on a rival and launch a free attack, since everything happens in real time. Attacks operate on recharge periods, meaning both combatants can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will trail behind you or move to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves in identical patterns, even when this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to pause during Z-A, and plenty of chances to become swamped. Pokémon battles rely on feedback after using an attack, and that information remains visible on the display in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and rooftops to visit. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach similar to actual city birds obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You might discover an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I haven't been to Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where no two blocks are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which the city really shines, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights within Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a tournament, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct battle locales brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Championship, along with quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I