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I'm not sure exactly how the custom started, but I consistently call every one of my Pokemon characters Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Malfunction alternates between male and female avatars, with dark and violet locks. Sometimes their style is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in this long-running series (and one of the more fashion-focused releases). Other times they're limited to the assorted academic attire styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my trainers, the Pokémon games have evolved across installments, some cosmetic, some significant. But at their heart, they stay identical; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. The developers uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula some 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar faces peril). Across every iteration, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and battling alongside adorable monsters has stayed steady for almost as long as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and focus on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes into that formula. It takes place entirely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive adventures of earlier games. Pokémon are intended to live together alongside humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed before.

Even more radical than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its biggest evolution yet, replacing methodical turn-based bouts with something more chaotic. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself ready for a new traditional release. Although these changes to the traditional Pokemon recipe sound like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain if female) to join their squad of trainers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Championship is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement from earlier titles. But here, you fight several trainers to gain the chance to compete in a promotion match. Win and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Battles: A New Frontier

Character fights occur at night, and sneaking around the designated combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to surprise an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, since everything happens in real time. Attacks operate on cooldown timers, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to get used to at first. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is plenty to learn in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Placement also factors as a major role in battles since your creatures will follow you around or move to designated spots to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, even when this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to pause during Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights depend on response post-move execution, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your opponent will spell immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering unseen stores and rooftops to explore. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the vision of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose grows repetitive eventually. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. While I haven't been to Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and all are vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It has tan buildings with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

In which the city really shines, surprisingly, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword and Shield occur in arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You will fight in restaurants with patrons watching while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales brim with character missing in the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Royale, along with quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable feeling of, {"I