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I don't recall exactly how the custom began, however I consistently call every one of my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Whether it's a core franchise title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch alternates between male and female avatars, with dark and violet locks. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in the long-running franchise (and one of the more style-conscious releases). At other moments they're limited to the various academic attire styles of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Games

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed across installments, with certain cosmetic, others substantial. But at their heart, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon to the core. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless gameplay formula some three decades back, and has only truly attempted to evolve on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character faces peril). Throughout all version, the core gameplay loop of catching and battling alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions with Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus before it, featuring lack of arenas and focus on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple changes to that formula. It takes place completely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of previous games. Pokemon are meant to coexist alongside people, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely glimpsed previously.

Even more drastic is Z-A's live-action battle system. This is where the franchise's almost ideal core cycle experiences its most significant transformation yet, swapping methodical sequential bouts for more frenetic action. And it's immensely fun, despite I find myself eager for a new turn-based release. Though these alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they create an entirely fresh adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor get abandoned; you're immediately recruited by the female guide (if playing as a male character; the male guide if female) to join her team of trainers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Royale is the epicenter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "gym badges to Elite Four" progression from earlier titles. However here, you fight several trainers to gain the opportunity to participate in a promotion match. Succeed 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 take place during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm always trying to surprise an opponent and launch an unopposed move, since all actions occur instantaneously. Moves function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's a lot to adjust to initially. Despite gaming for almost 30 hours, I continue to feel like there's plenty to learn in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in methods that complement each other. Placement also plays a major role during combat since your creatures will trail behind you or move to specific locations to execute moves (some are long-range, whereas others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat makes battles go so fast that I often repeating sequences of attacks in the same order, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe in Z-A, and plenty of opportunities to become swamped. Pokémon battles rely on response after using an attack, and that information remains visible on the display in Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Occasionally, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, although tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I'm still discovering new shops and elevated areas to explore. It is also rich with character, and fully realizes the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon populate its sidewalks, flying away when you get near similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path when walking through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna attach themselves to trees.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote eventually. You might discover a passage you never visited, but it feels identical. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I never visited Paris, the inspiration for the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where every district are the same, and all are vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It has beige structures with blue or red roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where the city really shines, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights within Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, providing them genuine significance and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You will fight in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Several distinct battle locales brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Routine

During the Championship, along with subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I