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I don't recall exactly how the custom began, but I always name every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a spinoff such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Malfunction switches between male and female characters, with dark and violet locks. Sometimes their style is flawless, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this long-running franchise (and one of the more fashion-focused releases). Other times they're confined to the various school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokémon Games

Much like my characters, the Pokémon games have transformed across releases, with certain superficial, others significant. But at their heart, they remain the same; they're always Pokemon through and through. The developers uncovered an almost flawless mechanics system some three decades back, and has only seriously tried to evolve upon it with entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar faces peril). Across every version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and fighting with charming creatures has remained consistent for almost the same duration as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several deviations into that formula. It takes place entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of previous titles. Pokemon are intended to live together with people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Even more radical than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. It's here the series' near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its most significant transformation yet, replacing deliberate turn-based bouts for something more chaotic. And it is immensely fun, even as I find myself ready for a new traditional entry. Although these changes to the classic Pokemon recipe seem like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to join her team of trainers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement of past games. However here, you fight several trainers to earn the chance to participate in a promotion match. Win and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: A New Frontier

Character fights occur during nighttime, and sneaking around the designated combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm always trying to surprise an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, since everything happens in real time. Moves operate on recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's much to adjust to initially. Even after gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master in terms of using my Pokémon's moves in methods that complement each other. Placement also factors as a major role in battles as your Pokémon will trail behind you or go to designated spots 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 find myself repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, despite this results in a suboptimal strategy. There's no time to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of chances to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on response after using an attack, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Sometimes, you can't even read it since diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find new shops and rooftops to visit. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight as you approach similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Even so, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I haven't been to Paris, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

The Areas Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

In which the city really shines, surprisingly, is indoors. I adored how Pokémon battles in Sword & Shield occur in arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and meaning. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet and Violet happen on a court with two random people watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground 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 will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Several distinct combat settings brim with character that's absent from the larger city as a whole.

The Comfort of Routine

During the Championship, along with subduing wild powered-up creatures and filling the creature index, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I