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I'm not sure exactly how the tradition began, but I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Glitch switches from male to female avatars, with dark and violet hair. Sometimes their style is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this long-running series (and among the more style-conscious entries). Other times they're confined to the assorted academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my characters, the Pokémon games have evolved between installments, some superficial, some substantial. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokemon through and through. The developers discovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula some 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to innovate upon it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and battling with charming creatures has remained steady for almost as long as I've been alive.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple changes to that framework. It's set entirely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of earlier titles. Pokemon are meant to coexist with people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Far more drastic is Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's almost ideal core cycle undergoes its most significant transformation to date, replacing methodical turn-based bouts for something more chaotic. And it is immensely fun, even as I feel eager for another traditional entry. Although these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain if female) to become part of their squad of trainers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. However here, you battle several trainers to gain the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Succeed and you'll be promoted to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: A New Approach

Trainer battles take place at night, while sneaking around the assigned battle zones is very entertaining. I'm always attempting to get a jump on a rival and unleash an unopposed move, because everything happens in real time. Attacks operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to get used to at first. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Placement also factors as a significant part in battles as your Pokémon will trail behind you or go to specific locations to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, even when this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to pause during Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on feedback after using an attack, and that information remains visible on screen in Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Occasionally, you cannot process it because taking your eyes off your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. Although I haven't been to Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where every district are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed terraces.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights within Sword & Shield take place 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 a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Several distinct battle locales brim with character missing in the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Royale, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I