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I'm not sure exactly how the custom began, however I always name every one of my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Malfunction switches from male to female avatars, with dark and violet locks. Sometimes their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this enduring series (and among the more fashion-focused releases). Other times they're confined to the various school uniform styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Games

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, with certain superficial, some substantial. But at their heart, they remain the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Across every iteration, the core mechanics cycle of catching and fighting alongside charming creatures has stayed steady for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes to that framework. It takes place entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of earlier titles. Pokémon are meant to live together alongside people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Far more drastic is Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the franchise's almost ideal core cycle experiences its biggest transformation to date, replacing deliberate turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, even as I find myself ready for another turn-based entry. Though these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe sound like they create a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar had as a tourist are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to become part of her team of trainers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the chance to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you'll be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Real-Time Battles: A New Approach

Trainer battles occur at night, and sneaking around the designated battle zones is very enjoyable. I'm always attempting to get a jump on an opponent and launch a free attack, since all actions occur in real time. Attacks function with cooldown timers, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to get used to at first. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn regarding 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 move to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others need to be up close and personal).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, despite this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to pause during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on response post-move execution, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your adversary will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and rooftops to visit. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach like the real-life city birds getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for the franchise, and a positive change. Even so, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon a passage you never visited, but you wouldn't know it. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. While I haven't been to Paris, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features beige structures topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

Where The Metropolis Really Excels

In which the city really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them genuine significance and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with two random people watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You will fight in eateries with diners observing while they eat. A fancy battle society will invite you to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales brim with character missing in the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Championship, along with subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I