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I don't recall exactly how the custom started, but I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a main series title or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Glitch alternates between male and female avatars, with black and purple hair. Occasionally their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this long-running franchise (and among the more fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted academic attire designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed between installments, with certain cosmetic, others substantial. But at their heart, they remain identical; they're consistently Pokémon through and through. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some three decades back, and has only truly attempted to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Throughout all version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and fighting alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for almost the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its absence of gyms and focus on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes to that formula. It's set completely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of earlier titles. Pokemon are intended to live together alongside humans, battlers and civilians, in ways we have merely glimpsed previously.

Far more drastic is Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. It's here the series' almost ideal gameplay loop undergoes its most significant transformation to date, swapping deliberate sequential fights with more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, even as I feel ready for another traditional entry. Though these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe sound like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide for female characters) to become part of her team of trainers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and are sent into the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. But here, you fight several opponents to gain the chance to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you'll be promoted to the next rank, with the final objective of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: A New Approach

Character fights occur at night, while sneaking around the assigned combat areas is very entertaining. I'm constantly attempting to surprise a rival and launch a free attack, because everything happens in real time. Moves operate on cooldown timers, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's much to adjust to initially. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I still feel that there is much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in methods that complement each other. Placement also factors as a major role in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat makes battles go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, even when this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles rely on feedback after using an attack, and that data is still present on the display within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because diverting attention from your adversary will result in certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to visit. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, 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 from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna cling to trees.

A focus on urban life represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes provide minimal diversity. While I never visited the French capital, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

In which Lumiose City really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you will combat in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual battle locales brim with character that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Routine

Throughout the Royale, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I