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I'm not sure exactly how the custom started, however I consistently call every one of my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Be it a core franchise title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Glitch switches from male to female avatars, with dark and violet hair. Occasionally their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this enduring series (and one of the more fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the various school uniform styles from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed across releases, some superficial, others substantial. However at their heart, they remain identical; they're consistently Pokemon through and through. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to evolve on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Across every version, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting with charming creatures has remained steady for almost as long as I've been alive.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes to that formula. It takes place completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of earlier titles. Pokemon are meant to coexist with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only glimpsed before.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the series' almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its biggest evolution to date, replacing deliberate sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel eager for another turn-based release. Although these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they create a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're promptly recruited by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to join her team of battlers. 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 similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. But here, you battle a handful of trainers to gain the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Win and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Combat: A New Frontier

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, while sneaking around the designated battle zones is very entertaining. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on a rival and launch a free attack, since everything happens in real time. Attacks function with recharge periods, indicating both combatants can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's much to get used to at first. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Positioning also plays a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to specific locations to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, even when this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on feedback post-move execution, and that information is still present on screen in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your opponent will result in certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose City

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the vision of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near similar to actual city birds obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You might discover an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I haven't been to the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where every district differs, and they're all vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where The Metropolis Really Excels

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights within Sword & Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet and Violet take place on a court with two random people observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching while they eat. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis in general.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Championship, along with quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I