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I don't recall precisely when the custom started, however I always name all my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Be it a core franchise game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction switches between male and female avatars, with black and purple hair. Occasionally their style is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running series (and among the most fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the various school uniform styles of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Titles

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed across installments, with certain superficial, some significant. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're consistently Pokémon through and through. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to innovate on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every version, the core mechanics cycle of capturing and fighting alongside charming creatures has remained consistent for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple changes to that formula. It takes place entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive adventures of earlier games. Pokemon are meant to coexist with humans, trainers and civilians, in ways we have merely glimpsed previously.

Far more drastic is Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the series' almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its most significant evolution to date, replacing deliberate turn-based fights for more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, despite I feel ready for a new turn-based release. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to join their squad of trainers. You're gifted 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 classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. But here, you fight a handful of opponents to gain the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you'll be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Battles: A New Frontier

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while sneaking around the designated combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to surprise an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Moves function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's much to adjust to initially. Even after gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a major role during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or go to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others must be up close and personal).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to pause during Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to become swamped. Creature fights depend on response after using an attack, and that information remains visible on screen in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you cannot process it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It is also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way when walking through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on city living is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The building design lacks character, 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 nearly a decade. It's a city where every district are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where The Metropolis Really Excels

In which the city truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet and Violet take place on a court with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Championship, as well as quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I