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I'm not sure exactly how the custom started, but I consistently call all my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Be it a core franchise game or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker always stays the same. Glitch alternates from male to female characters, featuring dark and violet locks. Sometimes their fashion is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this long-running series (and one of the most style-conscious entries). Other times they're confined to the assorted school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Games

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved between installments, some cosmetic, others significant. But at their core, they stay identical; they're always Pokémon through and through. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some three decades back, and has only truly attempted to innovate on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Across every iteration, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and fighting alongside charming creatures has stayed steady for almost the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, with its absence of gyms and emphasis on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes to that formula. It's set entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are intended to live together with humans, trainers and civilians, in manners we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. It's here the series' near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its most significant transformation to date, replacing methodical turn-based bouts with more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel eager for another turn-based release. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they create an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to join her team of battlers. You're gifted a creature from them as your starter and are sent into the Z-A Championship.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. But here, you fight several opponents to gain the opportunity to compete in a promotion match. Succeed and you'll be elevated to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Live-Action Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the assigned combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm always trying to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to adjust to initially. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I still feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in ways that complement each other. Placement also plays a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, even when this results in a suboptimal strategy. There's no time to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of chances to become swamped. 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 cannot process it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to visit. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near similar to actual city birds obstructing my path while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Even so, navigating the city becomes rote eventually. You might discover an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The building design lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. While I never visited the French capital, the model behind Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a metropolis where no two blocks are the same, and they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them real weight and meaning. Conversely, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with two random people observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in eateries with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will invite you to a competition, and you'll battle in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not Chandelure) hanging above. My favorite location is the beautifully designed base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Various individual battle locales brim with character that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Repetition

During the Championship, along with subduing wild powered-up creatures and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I