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I'm not sure exactly how the tradition started, but I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise title or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction switches from male to female avatars, featuring black and purple locks. Sometimes their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in this enduring series (and among the most fashion-focused releases). Other times they're limited to the assorted academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokemon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved between releases, some superficial, others substantial. However at their heart, they remain identical; they're always Pokemon to the core. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to evolve on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar faces peril). Throughout all version, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and battling with charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several deviations to that framework. It's set completely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose Metropolis from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning adventures of previous games. Pokémon are intended to coexist with people, trainers and civilians, in ways we've only glimpsed previously.

Far more drastic is Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the franchise's almost ideal core cycle experiences its biggest transformation to date, replacing methodical sequential fights for something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel eager for a new turn-based release. Although these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe sound like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to join her team of battlers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. But here, you fight a handful of trainers to gain the chance to compete in a promotion match. Win and you'll be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: A New Frontier

Character fights occur during nighttime, while sneaking around the designated combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch an unopposed move, because all actions occur instantaneously. Moves function with recharge periods, meaning both combatants can sometimes strike simultaneously concurrently (and knock each other out at once). It's much to get used to initially. Even after playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a major role during combat since your creatures will follow you around or go to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others need to be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I often sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, even when this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on response post-move execution, and that information remains visible on screen in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your adversary will spell certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose City

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way when walking in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The building design lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes provide minimal diversity. Although I haven't been to Paris, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where every district are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights within Sword and Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with few spectators observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis in general.

The Comfort of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I