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I'm not sure exactly how the tradition started, however I always name all my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a main series game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Malfunction alternates between male and female avatars, featuring black and purple locks. Occasionally their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running franchise (and among the most fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're limited to the assorted academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed across releases, some cosmetic, others substantial. However at their core, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokémon to the core. The developers uncovered an almost flawless gameplay formula some 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve upon it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar faces peril). Throughout every version, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting with adorable monsters has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes into that framework. It's set entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive journeys of previous games. Pokémon are intended to live together with humans, trainers and civilians, in ways we've only glimpsed previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest transformation to date, replacing deliberate turn-based fights with something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself ready for another turn-based entry. Although these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula seem 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

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to become part of her team of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner 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 traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. However here, you battle a handful of opponents to gain the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Win and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: An Innovative Approach

Character fights take place at night, while navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, because all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to initially. Even after gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a major role during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or move to designated spots to perform attacks (some are long-range, while others must be up close and personal).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I often sometimes cycling through moves in identical patterns, even when this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on feedback post-move execution, and that information is still present on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your adversary will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It's also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of creatures and humans coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach like the real-life city birds getting in my way while strolling through NYC. The monkey trio gleefully hang on streetlights, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes offer little variety. While I never visited Paris, the inspiration for the city, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where every district are the same, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It has beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen in a field with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality missing in the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Championship, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I