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I don't recall precisely when the tradition started, however I always name every one of my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Be it a core franchise title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction switches from male to female characters, featuring black and purple hair. Sometimes their fashion is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this enduring series (and among the most fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're limited to the various school uniform styles of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokémon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, some cosmetic, others substantial. But at their core, they remain identical; they're always Pokémon to the core. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and has only truly attempted to innovate upon it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar faces peril). Across every iteration, the core gameplay loop of capturing and battling with adorable monsters has stayed steady for nearly the same duration as my lifetime.

Breaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its absence of gyms and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes to that framework. It's set entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are intended to live together alongside humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only seen glimpses of before.

Even more drastic is Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the series' near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution to date, swapping deliberate turn-based bouts for something more chaotic. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, even as I feel eager for a new turn-based release. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they form an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're immediately enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to become part of their squad of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" progression of past games. But here, you battle a handful of trainers to gain the chance to participate in a promotion match. Win and you'll be promoted to the next rank, with the final objective of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: An Innovative Approach

Character fights take place at night, while sneaking around the assigned battle zones is quite enjoyable. I'm always attempting to get a jump on a rival and launch an unopposed move, since everything happens in real time. Attacks operate on recharge periods, indicating both combatants can sometimes strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's much to adjust to at first. Despite gaming for almost thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is plenty to learn regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Positioning also plays a major role during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or move to specific locations to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be up close and personal).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I often repeating sequences through moves in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles depend on response post-move execution, and that data is still present on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Occasionally, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Away from combat, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although densely packed. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of creatures and humans coexisting. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach similar to actual city birds getting in my way while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna cling to trees.

An emphasis on urban life is a new direction for the franchise, and a positive change. Even so, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You might discover a passage you never visited, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where every district are the same, and they're all alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features beige structures topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Really Excels

In which Lumiose City really shines, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, providing them real weight and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with few spectators observing. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with patrons watching 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. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Various individual battle locales brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Royale, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I