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I'm not sure exactly how the custom began, however I always name all my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Be it a core franchise game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Glitch switches from male to female characters, with dark and violet locks. Sometimes their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the long-running series (and one of the most style-conscious entries). At other moments they're confined to the assorted academic attire designs of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokémon games have transformed across installments, with certain superficial, others substantial. But at their core, they stay identical; they're consistently Pokemon through and through. The developers discovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula some 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve on it with games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout all iteration, the core gameplay loop of capturing and fighting alongside adorable monsters has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations into that formula. It's set completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive adventures of previous titles. Pokemon are meant to coexist with humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only glimpsed previously.

Even more radical than that Z-A's real-time battle system. This is where the franchise's almost ideal core cycle undergoes its biggest transformation to date, replacing methodical sequential bouts with more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I find myself ready for another turn-based release. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokemon recipe seem like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon initially reaching at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're promptly recruited by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain for female characters) to join her team of trainers. You're gifted one of her Pokémon as your first partner and are sent to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Championship is the epicenter of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" advancement from earlier titles. However here, you battle several trainers to earn the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching rank A.

Real-Time Battles: A New Frontier

Character fights occur during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, since everything happens in real time. Moves operate on cooldown timers, indicating both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and knock each other out at once). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Despite gaming for almost thirty hours, I still feel that there is much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Positioning also plays a significant part in battles since your creatures will follow you around or go to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in the same order, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to become swamped. Creature fights depend on response after using an attack, and that information is still present on the display in Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your opponent will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Deep into the game, I'm still discovering new shops and rooftops to visit. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the vision of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight when you get near like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for the franchise, and a positive change. 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 many elevated areas and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. Although I never visited the French capital, the inspiration for the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where no two blocks differs, and they're all vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

The Areas Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved how Pokémon battles within Sword & Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them genuine significance and importance. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet take place in a field with two random people watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between both extremes. You will fight in eateries with diners observing as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you 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 headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct battle locales brim with character missing in the larger city as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Royale, along with quelling rogue powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I