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I don't recall exactly how the tradition started, but I always name every one of my Pokemon characters 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 between male and female avatars, with black and purple locks. Sometimes their style is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this long-running franchise (and one of the more fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're confined to the assorted academic attire designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Games

Similar to my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, some superficial, some substantial. But at their core, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokémon to the core. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless mechanics system approximately 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to innovate on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character faces peril). Across all iteration, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and fighting alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, 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 Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X & Y, ditching the expansive journeys of earlier games. Pokémon are meant to live together with humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Far more drastic is Z-A's real-time battle system. This is where the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its most significant transformation yet, swapping deliberate turn-based fights with more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, even as I find myself ready for a new traditional entry. Though these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they create an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar had as a tourist get abandoned; you're promptly enlisted by the female guide (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to become part of their squad of battlers. You receive a creature from them as your starter and you're dispatched into the Z-A Championship.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. However here, you fight several opponents to earn the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Win and you'll be elevated to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: An Innovative Frontier

Trainer battles take place during nighttime, while sneaking around the designated combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm always attempting to surprise a rival and unleash a free attack, because all actions occur instantaneously. Moves operate on recharge periods, indicating both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously at the same time (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to get used to initially. Despite playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in ways that complement each other. Placement also plays a major role in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to specific locations to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be up close and personal).

The live combat causes fights progress so quickly that I often sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, despite this results in a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to get overwhelmed. Pokémon battles rely on feedback post-move execution, and that information remains visible on the display within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you cannot process it since taking your eyes off your opponent will spell certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose City

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering new shops and rooftops to explore. It is also full of charm, and fully realizes the vision of creatures and humans coexisting. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, taking flight as you approach like the real-life pigeons getting in my way when walking in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures like Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, navigating the city becomes rote eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I haven't been to the French capital, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and they're all vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features beige structures topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

In which Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights within Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them real weight and meaning. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with few spectators watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales brim with character missing in the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Championship, along with quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I