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I don't recall precisely when the tradition began, however I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Be it a main series game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction alternates from male to female avatars, with black and purple hair. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the enduring franchise (and one of the more fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're confined to the assorted school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved across installments, some cosmetic, others significant. However at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately three decades back, and has only truly attempted to evolve upon it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Across all version, the core mechanics cycle of capturing and fighting with adorable monsters has remained consistent for nearly as long as I've been alive.

Shaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes to that formula. It takes place completely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X & Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of previous games. Pokemon are meant to coexist with humans, battlers and civilians, in manners we've only glimpsed previously.

Even more drastic is Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's almost ideal core cycle undergoes its biggest transformation yet, replacing methodical turn-based fights with more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, even as I find myself ready for another turn-based entry. Although 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 Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

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

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. But here, you battle several opponents to earn the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Win and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Combat: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles take place at night, while navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on a rival and unleash an unopposed move, since everything happens instantaneously. Attacks operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to get used to initially. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Positioning also factors as a major role in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or go to specific locations to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to pause during Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on response post-move execution, and that data remains visible on the display in 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 City

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Far into the adventure, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach like the real-life city birds obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and underground routes provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where every district differs, and they're all alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City really shines, surprisingly, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights in Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet take place on a court with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing while they eat. A fancy battle society will invite you to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality missing in the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Championship, along with subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I