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I don't recall precisely when the tradition started, however I always name all my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Be it a core franchise game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction switches between male and female characters, with black and purple hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in the enduring franchise (and one of the most style-conscious entries). At other moments they're limited to the various school uniform styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokémon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed between installments, with certain superficial, others significant. However at their core, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula some three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to innovate upon it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Throughout every version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and fighting with charming creatures has remained consistent for nearly as long as my lifetime.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations to that formula. It's set completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the region-spanning adventures of previous titles. Pokemon are meant to live together alongside people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed before.

Even more radical is Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its most significant evolution to date, swapping methodical sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I find myself eager for another turn-based entry. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to become part of their squad of trainers. You receive a creature from them as your starter 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 from earlier titles. However here, you battle a handful of opponents to earn the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Succeed and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles take place at night, while sneaking around the designated battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm always trying to surprise an opponent and launch a free attack, because everything happens instantaneously. Attacks function with recharge periods, meaning both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to initially. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Positioning also plays a major role in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or go to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights depend on feedback post-move execution, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your adversary will result in certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Far into the adventure, I continue to find new shops and rooftops to explore. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight as you approach like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna cling on branches.

A focus on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You might discover an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops and sewer paths offer little variety. While I never visited Paris, the inspiration for Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where every district differs, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored how Pokémon battles within Sword & Shield occur in arena-like venues, giving them real weight and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet take place in a field with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed base of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual battle locales overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Royale, as well as quelling rogue powered-up creatures and completing the creature index, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I