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I don't recall precisely when the tradition began, however I always name every one of my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise game or a side project like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Malfunction alternates from male to female characters, with dark and violet hair. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running franchise (and among the most style-conscious entries). At other moments they're limited to the assorted school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed between installments, some superficial, some significant. But at their core, they remain the same; they're always Pokémon through and through. The developers discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to innovate on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar faces peril). Across all iteration, the core mechanics cycle of capturing and battling alongside adorable monsters has stayed steady for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes into that framework. It's set entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive adventures of previous titles. Pokémon are intended to coexist alongside humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely glimpsed previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's live-action battle system. It's here the series' near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest evolution yet, replacing deliberate sequential bouts with more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel ready for a new traditional entry. Although these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe sound like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

When initially reaching in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (for male avatars; the male guide for female characters) to become part of her team of battlers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched into the Z-A Royale.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement of past games. However here, you fight several opponents to earn the chance to compete in a promotion match. Succeed and you'll be promoted to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Live-Action Combat: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles take place at night, while sneaking around the assigned battle zones is quite enjoyable. I'm always attempting to surprise an opponent and launch an unopposed move, since everything happens instantaneously. Moves operate on cooldown timers, meaning you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's much to get used to at first. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Placement also factors as a major role in battles as your Pokémon will trail behind you or move to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others need to be up close and personal).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I often repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a suboptimal strategy. There's no time to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles rely on response after using an attack, and that data is still present on the display within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because taking your eyes off your opponent will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to visit. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You might discover a passage you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes provide minimal diversity. Although I haven't been to Paris, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and all are vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It has beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you will combat in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Championship, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I