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I don't recall exactly how the tradition began, but I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Be it a main series title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Glitch alternates between male and female avatars, with black and purple hair. Occasionally their fashion is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the enduring franchise (and one of the more fashion-focused entries). At other moments they're confined to the assorted academic attire designs of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, with certain superficial, some significant. But at their core, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately three decades back, and has only truly attempted to evolve on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Across every version, the core gameplay loop of capturing and battling alongside charming creatures has stayed steady for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several deviations to that framework. It's set completely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of previous games. Pokemon are intended to coexist with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed previously.

Far more radical is Z-A's real-time battle system. It's here the franchise's almost ideal core cycle undergoes its most significant evolution yet, replacing deliberate turn-based bouts with something more chaotic. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel ready for a new turn-based release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula seem like they create a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

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

The Championship serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. But here, you fight a handful of opponents to gain the chance to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the final objective of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Combat: A New Frontier

Character fights take place at night, and navigating stealthily the assigned combat areas is very entertaining. I'm always trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur instantaneously. Moves function with cooldown timers, meaning you and your opponent can sometimes attack each other concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a significant part during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or move to specific locations to perform attacks (some are long-range, while others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat makes battles progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to pause in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles depend on feedback after using an attack, and that information remains visible on the display in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your opponent will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, though tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and rooftops to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away when you get near similar to actual city birds obstructing my path while strolling through NYC. The monkey trio gleefully hang from lampposts, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You might discover an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I never visited 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 they're all alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Various individual battle locales brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis in general.

The Comfort of Repetition

Throughout the Royale, along with quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the creature index, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I