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I don't recall precisely when the custom started, but I always name every one of my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Be it a main series game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Glitch switches from male to female characters, featuring black and purple hair. Occasionally their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this long-running series (and one of the more fashion-focused releases). Other times they're limited to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they're always Malfunction.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed between installments, some superficial, some substantial. But at their heart, they stay identical; they're always Pokémon through and through. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar faces peril). Throughout all iteration, the core mechanics cycle of capturing and fighting alongside adorable monsters 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 lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes into that framework. It's set completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the region-spanning adventures of previous titles. Pokémon are intended to coexist with humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely seen glimpses of before.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's real-time battle system. This is where the series' almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its most significant transformation yet, replacing methodical turn-based bouts for more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, despite I find myself eager for a new turn-based release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're promptly recruited by the female guide (for male avatars; the male guide for female characters) to join their squad of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Championship is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. But here, you battle several opponents to earn the opportunity to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you'll be promoted to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles occur at night, while sneaking around the assigned combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm always trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Attacks function with cooldown timers, meaning both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Even after playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel that there is much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a major role during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I often sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, even when this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles rely on response post-move execution, and that data is still present on the display within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you cannot process it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near like the real-life city birds obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You might discover a passage you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes provide minimal diversity. Although I haven't been to Paris, the model behind Lumiose, 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 provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I loved how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings brim with character missing in the overall metropolis in general.

The Comfort of Repetition

During the Royale, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I