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I don't recall precisely when the tradition started, but I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Be it a core franchise game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction switches from male to female avatars, with black and purple hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the enduring franchise (and one of the most style-conscious releases). At other moments they're limited to the various academic attire designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they're always Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokémon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed across releases, some cosmetic, others substantial. However at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon through and through. The developers discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to evolve on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout all version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and battling alongside charming creatures has stayed steady for almost as long as my lifetime.

Breaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations to that formula. It's set entirely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the region-spanning adventures of previous games. Pokemon are meant to coexist with humans, trainers and civilians, in ways we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Even more radical is Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest transformation yet, replacing methodical turn-based fights for more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself ready for another turn-based entry. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're promptly recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to join her team of trainers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your first partner and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. However here, you battle several opponents to earn the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you'll be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Combat: A New Frontier

Trainer battles take place at night, and navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on a rival and unleash a free attack, because everything happens instantaneously. Moves function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to adjust to initially. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Placement also factors as a significant part in battles since your creatures will follow you around or move to specific locations to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others need to be up close and personal).

The real-time action causes fights progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, despite this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There's no time to pause during Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on response post-move execution, and that data remains visible on the display within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on urban life is a new direction for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon a passage you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops 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 City doesn't have that. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where the city truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield occur in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with diners observing while they eat. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Championship, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I