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I don't recall exactly how the custom began, but I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Be it a core franchise title or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction alternates from male to female avatars, with dark and violet hair. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running series (and one of the most style-conscious entries). At other moments they're limited to the various school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved between releases, some cosmetic, some substantial. However at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokemon through and through. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve on it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character faces peril). Across every version, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and fighting alongside adorable monsters has stayed consistent for almost as long as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its absence of gyms and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes into that formula. It takes place completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive adventures of previous titles. Pokémon are meant to coexist with people, battlers and civilians, in manners we have merely glimpsed previously.

Even more drastic is Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. It's here the series' near-perfect core cycle experiences its biggest evolution to date, replacing methodical turn-based fights with something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel ready for another traditional release. Though these changes to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your custom avatar planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; the male guide for female characters) to become part of her team of trainers. You receive a creature from them as your starter and you're dispatched into the Z-A Championship.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. However here, you fight a handful of trainers to earn the opportunity to compete 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 Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the assigned combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on a rival and unleash a free attack, because everything happens in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to initially. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel that there is much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Positioning also factors as a major role during combat since your creatures will follow you around or move to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights progress so quickly that I often repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and numerous chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on response post-move execution, and that information is still present on screen in Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Occasionally, you cannot process it because taking your eyes off your adversary 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 new shops and rooftops to visit. It's also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach like the real-life city birds getting in my way when walking through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture lacks character, and many elevated areas and sewer paths offer little variety. While I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City lacks that quality. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet take place on a court with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. An elite combat club will invite you to a tournament, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Several distinct battle locales brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Repetition

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