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

Be it a core franchise game or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the name always stays the same. Glitch switches from male to female avatars, with black and purple hair. Occasionally their style is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest installment in the enduring series (and among the most fashion-focused entries). Other times they're confined to the assorted school uniform designs of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they're always Glitch.

The Ever-Evolving Realm of Pokémon Titles

Much like my characters, the Pokémon games have evolved across releases, with certain cosmetic, others substantial. However at their heart, they remain identical; they're always Pokemon to the core. The developers discovered a nearly perfect mechanics system approximately three decades back, and just recently truly attempted to evolve on it with games such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Throughout every iteration, the fundamental mechanics cycle of capturing and battling alongside charming creatures has stayed consistent for nearly as long as my lifetime.

Breaking the Mold in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its absence of gyms and emphasis on compiling a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes into that formula. It takes place completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, ditching the expansive journeys of previous titles. Pokémon are meant to coexist with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only glimpsed before.

Even more drastic than that Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. This is where the franchise's almost ideal gameplay loop experiences its most significant evolution to date, replacing methodical sequential fights for something more chaotic. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, despite I find myself eager for a new turn-based entry. Though these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they form an entirely fresh experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokemon game.

The Heart of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your custom avatar had as a tourist are discarded; you're immediately enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide if female) to join her team of battlers. You receive a creature from them as your starter and are sent into the Z-A Championship.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's comparable to the classic "gym badges to Elite Four" progression of past games. But here, you fight a handful of trainers to gain the chance to compete in an advancement bout. Win and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching the top rank.

Real-Time Combat: An Innovative Approach

Trainer battles take place at night, while sneaking around the assigned combat areas is very entertaining. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on a rival and launch a free attack, since everything happens instantaneously. Moves operate on cooldown timers, meaning both combatants may occasionally strike simultaneously concurrently (and knock each other out simultaneously). It's much to get used to initially. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I still 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 in battles 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 real-time action makes battles go so fast that I find myself sometimes cycling of attacks in identical patterns, even when this amounts to a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to get overwhelmed. Creature fights depend on response post-move execution, and that information is still present on the display within Z-A, but flashes past quickly. Occasionally, you cannot process it because diverting attention from your adversary will result in certain doom.

Navigating Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you'll explore Lumiose Metropolis. It's relatively small, though densely packed. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and rooftops to explore. It's also rich with character, and fully realizes the vision of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, flying away as you approach like the real-life pigeons obstructing my path when walking in New York City. The monkey trio joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon like Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

A focus on city living represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city becomes rote eventually. You might discover an alley you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design lacks character, and many elevated areas and underground routes provide minimal diversity. While I haven't been to Paris, the inspiration for Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for almost ten years. It's a city where no two blocks are the same, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It features tan buildings with blue or red roofs and flatly rendered balconies.

Where The Metropolis Really Excels

Where Lumiose City truly stands out, oddly enough, is inside buildings. I adored the way creature fights in Sword and Shield take place in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and importance. On the flipside, battles in Scarlet and Violet take place on a court with two random people observing. It's very disappointing. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will invite you to a tournament, and you will combat on its penthouse court under a lighting fixture (not the Pokemon) suspended overhead. The most memorable spot is the beautifully designed base of a certain faction with its moody lighting and purple partitions. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Comfort of Repetition

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