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I don't recall exactly how the custom began, but I always name all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Glitch switches from male to female characters, with dark and violet locks. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in this long-running franchise (and one of the more style-conscious entries). Other times they're confined to the various academic attire designs of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed between installments, some cosmetic, some significant. But at their heart, they stay identical; they're always Pokémon to the core. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Across all version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and battling alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly as long as my lifetime.

Breaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations to that framework. It's set completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive adventures of earlier games. Pokémon are intended to live together with humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only glimpsed previously.

Even more radical than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's almost ideal core cycle experiences its biggest evolution yet, replacing methodical sequential fights for something more chaotic. And it's immensely fun, even as I find myself ready for a new traditional entry. Though these changes to the classic Pokémon formula seem like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain if female) to join her team of trainers. You're gifted a creature from them as your starter and are sent into the Z-A Royale.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: An Innovative Approach

Character fights take place at night, and navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on an opponent and unleash a free attack, because all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks operate on recharge periods, indicating both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to get used to at first. Even after playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is plenty to learn in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Placement also factors as a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others must be up close and personal).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, despite this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on feedback post-move execution, and that information remains visible on screen in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your adversary will result in certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose City

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near like the real-life city birds obstructing my path while strolling through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote eventually. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. 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 model behind Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It has tan buildings with blue or red 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 arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching while they eat. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual battle locales brim with character that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Championship, along with quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I