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I don't recall precisely when the custom started, but I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction alternates from male to female avatars, featuring black and purple hair. Sometimes their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the long-running series (and among the more style-conscious entries). Other times they're confined to the assorted school uniform styles of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving World of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, some superficial, some substantial. However at their core, they remain identical; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. The developers discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to innovate on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar faces peril). Across all iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and fighting alongside charming creatures has stayed steady for nearly the same duration as my lifetime.

Breaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its absence of gyms and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple changes into that formula. It takes place entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are intended to coexist alongside people, battlers and civilians, in ways we've only glimpsed before.

Far more radical is Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the series' near-perfect core cycle undergoes its most significant transformation yet, replacing methodical sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself ready for another turn-based release. Though these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your custom avatar had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly recruited by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to become part of her team of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter 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 "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. But here, you fight several opponents to earn the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Win and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: A New Frontier

Character fights take place during nighttime, while sneaking around the designated combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm always attempting to surprise an opponent and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks operate on cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to at first. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a major role during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or move to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others need to be up close and personal).

The live combat causes fights progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling through moves in identical patterns, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Creature fights depend on feedback post-move execution, and that data is still present on screen within Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your adversary will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on urban life represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You might discover an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. Although I haven't been to the French capital, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where every district differs, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet take place on a court with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing while they eat. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed base of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Comfort of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, along with subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I