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I'm not sure exactly how the tradition started, but I always name all my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Be it a main series game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction alternates between male and female avatars, with dark and violet hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this enduring series (and among the most fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're limited to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Games

Similar to my characters, the Pokémon games have evolved between installments, some superficial, some significant. But at their core, they stay identical; they're always Pokemon through and through. The developers uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to innovate upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Throughout every version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and battling alongside adorable monsters has remained steady for almost as long as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple changes to that formula. It takes place entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of earlier titles. Pokémon are intended to live together with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely glimpsed previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest evolution to date, replacing methodical turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel eager for another traditional release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; the male guide if female) to become part of their squad of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and are sent into the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Win and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Character fights take place during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to surprise a rival and unleash a free attack, since all actions occur instantaneously. Moves operate on cooldown timers, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's much to adjust to at first. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I still feel that there is much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in methods that complement each other. Positioning also plays a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to designated spots to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself 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 opportunities to become swamped. Creature fights depend on feedback post-move execution, and that data is still present on the display within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it since diverting attention from your opponent will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near like the real-life city birds getting in my way when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Even so, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon a passage you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where every district are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield occur in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will invite you to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Championship, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I