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I'm not sure exactly how the custom began, however I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise game or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction switches between male and female avatars, with black and purple locks. Occasionally their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in the enduring franchise (and one of the more style-conscious releases). Other times they're confined to the various academic attire styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Games

Similar to my characters, the Pokémon games have evolved across releases, some cosmetic, some substantial. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokemon to the core. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless gameplay formula some 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to innovate on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Across every iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and battling alongside charming creatures has remained steady for nearly as long as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations to that framework. It takes place entirely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning adventures of earlier titles. Pokemon are intended to live together alongside humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely glimpsed previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the series' near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its biggest evolution yet, replacing methodical turn-based bouts for something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for a new turn-based entry. Though these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide if female) to become part of their squad of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you battle several trainers to gain the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Win and you'll be promoted to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles occur at night, while navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm always attempting to get a jump on a rival and launch a free attack, since everything happens in real time. Moves function with recharge periods, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's much to adjust to initially. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I still feel that there is much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to designated spots to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, even when this results in a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles rely on feedback post-move execution, and that data is still present on screen within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although densely packed. Far into the adventure, I continue to find new shops and rooftops to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach similar to actual pigeons getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna cling on branches.

A focus on city living is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, exploring Lumiose becomes rote eventually. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. While I never visited Paris, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which the city really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Various individual combat settings brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Comfort of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the creature index, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I