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I'm not sure precisely when the tradition began, however I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Be it a main series title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Malfunction alternates between male and female characters, with black and purple hair. Occasionally their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this long-running series (and among the most style-conscious entries). At other moments they're confined to the assorted academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokemon Games

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved between installments, with certain cosmetic, some significant. But at their heart, they remain identical; they're always Pokémon through and through. Game Freak uncovered an almost flawless gameplay formula approximately 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to innovate upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Across every iteration, the core gameplay loop of catching and fighting alongside charming creatures has remained steady for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring absence of gyms and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple changes to that formula. It takes place entirely in a single location, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning adventures of previous games. Pokémon are intended to coexist with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the series' near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution yet, swapping deliberate turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel ready for a new traditional release. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they create an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (if playing as a male character; Urbain if female) to become part of their squad of battlers. You receive a creature from them as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Championship is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. However here, you fight a handful of opponents to earn the chance to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you'll be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Combat: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, and navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm always trying to surprise a rival and launch a free attack, since everything happens instantaneously. Attacks function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's much to adjust to initially. Despite gaming for almost thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Positioning also factors as a major role in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or go to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, while others must be up close and personal).

The real-time action makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself repeating sequences through moves in identical patterns, even when this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and numerous chances to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on feedback post-move execution, and that information remains visible on the display within Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since taking your eyes off your opponent will spell certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to visit. It's also rich with character, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Even so, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive over time. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and sewer paths offer little variety. While I haven't been to the French capital, the inspiration for Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where every district are the same, and all are 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 The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where the city truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet take place on a court with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. My favorite location is the beautifully designed base of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Various individual combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Royale, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I