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I'm not sure precisely when the tradition started, but I consistently call every one of my Pokémon trainers Glitch.

Whether it's a main series game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch alternates between male and female characters, with black and purple hair. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, like in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in the enduring series (and among the most style-conscious entries). Other times they're limited to the various academic attire designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokemon Games

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, with certain superficial, others significant. But at their heart, they remain the same; they're always Pokémon through and through. The developers discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some 30 years ago, and just recently seriously tried to evolve on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout all version, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and battling with charming creatures has stayed steady for almost as long as I've been alive.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings multiple deviations into that formula. It takes place completely in one place, the French capital-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X & Y, ditching the region-spanning journeys of earlier titles. Pokemon are meant to live together alongside humans, battlers and non-trainers alike, in ways we've only seen glimpses of before.

Even more drastic is Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop undergoes its biggest evolution to date, swapping deliberate sequential fights with more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, even as I find myself ready for a new traditional entry. Though these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula seem like they create a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokémon title.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Royale

Upon initially reaching in Lumiose City, any intentions your custom avatar had as a tourist are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; Urbain if female) to become part of her team of battlers. You receive one of her Pokémon as your first partner 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 traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. But here, you fight a handful of opponents to gain the chance to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you'll be elevated to the next rank, with the final objective of achieving rank A.

Real-Time Battles: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while sneaking around the designated combat areas is very enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch a free attack, because all actions occur in real time. Attacks operate on recharge periods, meaning both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's a lot to adjust to initially. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in methods that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a major role during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to designated spots to perform attacks (some are long-range, while others must be in close proximity).

The real-time action makes battles go so fast that I often sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, despite this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to pause in Z-A, and plenty of chances to become swamped. Creature fights depend on feedback post-move execution, and that data remains visible on screen within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, though tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to explore. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people coexisting. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight when you get near similar to actual city birds obstructing my path while strolling through NYC. The Pan Trio monkeys gleefully hang on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna cling on branches.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for the franchise, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive over time. You might discover a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I haven't been to Paris, the model behind the city, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where every district differs, and they're all vibrant with differences that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It has beige structures topped with colored roofs and simply designed terraces.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I loved the way creature fights in Sword & Shield occur in arena-like venues, providing them genuine significance and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the beautifully designed headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales brim with character that's absent from the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, as well as subduing wild powered-up creatures and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable sense that, {"I