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I'm not sure precisely when the custom began, but I always name every one of my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a core franchise game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Glitch switches from male to female avatars, featuring black and purple hair. Sometimes their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this enduring franchise (and among the most fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're limited to the assorted school uniform styles from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Games

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed between releases, some superficial, some substantial. But at their heart, they remain identical; they're always Pokémon to the core. The developers discovered an almost flawless gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to innovate upon it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Across all iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and fighting alongside charming creatures has remained consistent for almost as long as I've been alive.

Shaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes to that formula. It's set entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are intended to live together alongside humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Even more drastic is Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the series' almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its biggest evolution yet, replacing deliberate sequential fights with something more chaotic. And it is immensely fun, despite I feel eager for a new traditional entry. Although these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; the male guide if female) to join her team of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched into the Z-A Royale.

The Championship is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. But here, you fight a handful of opponents to gain the chance to compete in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving rank A.

Real-Time Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, and sneaking around the assigned combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Attacks operate on cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other at once). It's much to adjust to at first. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I still feel that there is much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Placement also factors as a significant part during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or move to specific locations to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves in identical patterns, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to pause during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on response after using an attack, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your adversary will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to visit. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans coexisting. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, taking flight when you get near like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Even so, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You might discover an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I haven't been to Paris, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where no two blocks are the same, 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 Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights within Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, giving them real weight and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with two random people observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You will fight in eateries 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 Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base 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

Throughout the Championship, as well as quelling rogue powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I