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I don't recall precisely when the tradition began, however I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a main series title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Glitch alternates between male and female avatars, with black and purple locks. Occasionally their style is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in the long-running series (and among the most style-conscious releases). Other times they're limited to the assorted school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokémon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed between releases, some superficial, some significant. However at their core, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. The developers discovered an almost flawless gameplay formula some 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to innovate on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar faces peril). Across every version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and battling with adorable monsters has stayed steady for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations into that framework. It takes place completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive adventures of previous games. Pokemon are intended to live together with humans, battlers and civilians, in ways we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Even more radical is Z-A's real-time battle system. This is where the franchise's almost ideal core cycle undergoes its biggest evolution yet, replacing methodical sequential fights for something more chaotic. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself eager for a new traditional entry. Though these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain if female) to become part of their squad 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 in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you battle a handful of trainers to earn the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while sneaking around the assigned combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on a rival and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Attacks function with cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes attack each other at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to adjust to initially. Even after playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Positioning also plays a major role during combat since your creatures will follow you around or move to designated spots to perform attacks (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, despite this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on feedback post-move execution, and that data remains visible on screen in Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose City

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and rooftops to visit. It's also rich with character, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach like the real-life pigeons getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes provide minimal diversity. While I never visited Paris, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a city where every district are the same, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Really Excels

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights in Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with diners observing while they eat. A fancy battle society will invite you to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

Throughout the Championship, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I