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I'm not sure exactly how the custom began, but I always name every one of my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Whether it's a main series game or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction switches from male to female avatars, featuring dark and violet locks. Occasionally their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the enduring franchise (and among the most style-conscious entries). Other times they're confined to the assorted school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, with certain cosmetic, some substantial. But at their core, they stay identical; they're consistently Pokémon to the core. The developers discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some three decades back, and just recently truly attempted to innovate on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Throughout all version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and fighting alongside adorable monsters has remained steady for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its absence of gyms and emphasis on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes to that formula. It's set entirely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of earlier games. Pokemon are intended to coexist alongside people, battlers and civilians, in ways we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Even more radical than that Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the series' almost ideal core cycle experiences its biggest transformation to date, replacing deliberate turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for another traditional release. Though these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe sound like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar had as a tourist get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to become part of her team of trainers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. But here, you battle several trainers to gain the chance to participate in a promotion match. Win and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Live-Action Combat: A New Frontier

Character fights take place during nighttime, while sneaking around the designated combat areas is very entertaining. I'm always attempting to get a jump on a rival and unleash an unopposed move, since everything happens instantaneously. Moves operate on cooldown timers, indicating both combatants can sometimes strike simultaneously concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to get used to initially. Even after playing for nearly thirty hours, I still feel that there is plenty to learn regarding employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a significant part in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or go to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on feedback after using an attack, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because 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 continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach similar to actual city birds getting in my way when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive 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 underground routes provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited the French capital, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where every district differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where The Metropolis Really Excels

Where the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights within Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings brim with character that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Repetition

Throughout the Royale, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I