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

Whether it's a core franchise title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction switches from male to female avatars, featuring dark and violet locks. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest addition in this enduring franchise (and one of the more fashion-focused releases). At other moments they're limited to the assorted academic attire styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Titles

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have transformed across releases, with certain cosmetic, some substantial. But at their heart, they remain identical; they're consistently Pokemon to the core. Game Freak discovered an almost flawless mechanics system some 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to evolve upon it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your avatar faces peril). Across all iteration, the core mechanics cycle of catching and fighting with adorable monsters has remained steady for almost the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, featuring absence of gyms and focus on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several deviations into that formula. It's set entirely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City of Pokémon X & Y, ditching the expansive journeys of previous games. Pokémon are intended to coexist with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only glimpsed before.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's real-time battle system. This is where the franchise's almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its biggest evolution to date, swapping deliberate sequential fights for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I feel eager for another turn-based release. Though these changes to the traditional Pokémon formula seem like they create a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as any other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Adventure: The Z-A Royale

Upon first arriving in Lumiose City, whatever plans your created character planned as a visitor are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by Taunie (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to become part of her team of trainers. You receive a creature from them 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 similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" progression from earlier titles. However here, you battle several trainers to earn the chance to participate in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be elevated to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: A New Approach

Character fights occur during nighttime, and sneaking around the assigned battle zones is quite enjoyable. I'm always trying to get a jump on an opponent and unleash an unopposed move, since all actions occur instantaneously. Moves function with recharge periods, meaning both combatants may occasionally attack each other at the same time (and defeat each other simultaneously). It's much to adjust to at first. Even after gaming for almost thirty hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master regarding employing my creatures' attacks in ways that work together synergistically. Placement also plays a major role during combat as your Pokémon will trail behind you or go to designated spots to execute moves (certain ones are distant, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There's no time to breathe during Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights rely on response post-move execution, and that information remains visible on the display in Z-A, but whips by quickly. Occasionally, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your opponent will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose City

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to visit. It is also full of charm, and perfectly captures the vision of creatures and humans living together. Pidgey inhabit its pathways, flying away as you approach similar to actual city birds getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna cling on branches.

A focus on city living is a new direction for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote over time. You might discover an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and sewer paths provide minimal diversity. While I haven't been to Paris, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where every district are the same, and they're all vibrant with differences that provide character. Lumiose City doesn't have that. It features tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where The Metropolis Truly Shines

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I loved the way creature fights within Sword & Shield take place in arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and importance. Conversely, battles in Scarlet and Violet take place in a field with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A finds a balance between the two. You will fight in restaurants with patrons watching as they dine. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not Chandelure) suspended overhead. My favorite location is the elegantly decorated base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the larger city in general.

The Comfort of Routine

Throughout the Championship, as well as quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the creature index, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I