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

Whether it's a core franchise title or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name never changes. Malfunction switches from male to female characters, with dark and violet locks. Occasionally their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the long-running franchise (and among the more fashion-focused entries). Other times they're limited to the assorted school uniform styles from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yet they remain Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Titles

Similar to my characters, the Pokemon titles have evolved between installments, with certain cosmetic, some significant. However at their heart, they remain the same; they're consistently Pokémon to the core. Game Freak discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some 30 years ago, and has only seriously tried to evolve upon it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your character is now in danger). Across all version, the fundamental mechanics cycle of catching and fighting alongside adorable monsters has remained steady for almost as long as my lifetime.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus previously, with its lack of arenas and focus on compiling a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces multiple deviations into that formula. It's set entirely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of previous titles. Pokémon are intended to live together with people, trainers and civilians, in ways we've only seen glimpses of previously.

Far more drastic than that Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. It's here the franchise's near-perfect gameplay loop experiences its biggest transformation yet, replacing methodical turn-based fights with more frenetic action. And it is thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself eager for a new traditional release. Although these alterations to the classic Pokemon recipe 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 Championship

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're promptly recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; Urbain for female characters) to become part of her team of battlers. You're gifted a creature from them as your first partner and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Championship.

The Championship is the epicenter in 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 chance to compete in an advancement bout. Succeed and you will be promoted to a higher tier, with the final objective of achieving the top rank.

Real-Time Battles: A New Approach

Character fights occur during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the assigned battle zones is quite entertaining. I'm constantly trying to surprise a rival and launch an unopposed move, because all actions occur instantaneously. Attacks function with recharge periods, indicating you and your opponent can sometimes strike simultaneously concurrently (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to adjust to at first. Even after playing for nearly thirty hours, I continue to feel like there's much to master regarding using my Pokémon's moves in ways that work together synergistically. Placement also factors as a major role in battles as your Pokémon will follow you around or go to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others need to be in close proximity).

The real-time action causes fights progress so quickly that I find myself sometimes cycling through moves in the same order, even when this amounts to a suboptimal strategy. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and plenty of chances to become swamped. Creature fights rely on feedback post-move execution, and that data remains visible on the display within Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Sometimes, you cannot process it because taking your eyes off your adversary will spell certain doom.

Exploring Lumiose City

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, though tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I continue to find new shops and elevated areas to explore. It's also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of creatures and humans living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons obstructing my path while strolling in New York City. The monkey trio gleefully hang on streetlights, and insect creatures like Kakuna cling on branches.

An emphasis on urban life is a new direction for Pokémon, and a positive change. Even so, navigating the city becomes rote over time. You may stumble upon an alley you haven't been to, but you wouldn't know it. The architecture lacks character, and most rooftops and sewer paths offer little variety. While I haven't been to the French capital, the model behind Lumiose, I reside in New York for nearly a decade. It's a city where every district are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features beige structures with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

Where the city really shines, oddly enough, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights within Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and importance. On the flipside, fights within Scarlet & Violet take place on a court with few spectators watching. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching while they eat. A fancy battle society will invite you to a tournament, and you'll battle on its penthouse court with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed base of the Rust Syndicate with its moody lighting and magenta walls. Several distinct battle locales overflow with personality missing in the overall metropolis in general.

The Familiarity of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, along with quelling rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I