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I don't recall exactly how the tradition began, but I always name all my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Whether it's a main series game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Malfunction alternates between male and female characters, with dark and violet hair. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in this long-running franchise (and among the more style-conscious releases). Other times they're confined to the assorted academic attire styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Games

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed across releases, with certain superficial, some significant. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. The developers discovered an almost flawless gameplay formula some 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to innovate on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Across all version, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and battling with adorable monsters has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, featuring lack of arenas and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes into that framework. It takes place completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive adventures of earlier titles. Pokémon are meant to coexist alongside humans, trainers and civilians, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of before.

Even more radical than that Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the franchise's almost ideal core cycle experiences its most significant evolution to date, swapping deliberate sequential bouts with more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, even as I find myself ready for another turn-based entry. Although these changes to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character had as a tourist are discarded; 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 are sent into the Z-A Royale.

The Championship is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. But here, you fight a handful of trainers to gain the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Win and you'll be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: A New Frontier

Trainer battles occur at night, while sneaking around the assigned battle zones is quite enjoyable. I'm always trying to get a jump on a rival and unleash an unopposed move, because everything happens in real time. Moves operate on cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much 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 complement each other. Positioning also plays a significant part during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or go to designated spots to execute moves (some are long-range, while others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles rely on response post-move execution, and that data is still present on screen within Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your adversary will result in certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose City

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It's also full of charm, and perfectly captures the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, taking flight when you get near like the real-life city birds getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna cling to trees.

A focus on urban life represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You might discover an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Really Excels

Where the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet and Violet take place on a court with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Comfort of Repetition

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