We've been getting a lot of posts concerned about Game Freak recently and I would like to remind people that only last year they shipped a whole new generation of Pokemon that went far beyond the ambitions and innovations of any other game in the series. Yes, they released some iterative titles this year with Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon but they're also hard at work on Gen 8 for Switch. If you don't want US/UM then don't buy them. They still offer more than say Yellow/Crystal/Emerald/Platinum ever did.
Anyway rant over, here are the highlights of Sun and Moon:
1. Gyms were replaced with Island Trials
The structure of any Pokemon RPG is to go around the region battling 8 gym leaders all whilst saving the world inbetween, right? Well Sun and Moon actually completely did away with gyms and instead had you completing varied and distinctive island tasks that went far beyond the typical gym formula. They even culminate in a boss battle of sorts against Totem Pokemon which gives each one an epic flare.
2. Pokemon were further integrated into the world
The Alola region has better world building than any other Pokemon location. The humans and pocket monsters truly reside together and this is showcased right from the get go with your family's pet Meowth. Then as you walk outside you'll see Wingulls flapping in the distance. In towns you'll see Pokemon roaming around with their trainers and you'll even see them labouring together. Pokemon has always been a series about the relationship between Pokemon and their trainers and never has this been highlighted more than with Sun and Moon.
3. HM's are completely gone
We've all had a team of 5 strong Pokemon and one weak HM slave who knows Cut. Don't deny it. It seems Game Freak were fully aware of that and they found a far more elegant solution: Poké Ride. At any moment you can instantly call a Lapras to surf on, a Charizard to fly, a Machamp to use strength...you get the idea. These creatures aren't yours to use in battle but rather they're assistance Pokemon - so they don't take up any spots in your party. The HM system was somewhat flawed from conception and forced you to carry around certain Pokemon regardless if you actually wanted them in your team.
4. The series went further with 3D space
X and Y took baby steps into the third dimension but we were still limited to an 8 directional plane when walking around. In Sun and Moon not only can you walk around freely but the approach to level design has been completely overhauled to fit its new 3D environments. Areas are way more open than before and you may also notice the art style has drastically changed from the chibi look of X and Y. This full 3D setting allows for some beautiful cinematic swoops and while the camera is still fixed, it rarely resembles the top down of previous games.
5. It introduced Ultra Beasts
Most of Sun and Moon's refinements are in the overworld but here they made a pretty big change to the fundamentals of Pokemon. Ultra Beasts are basically legendary Pokemon but from another dimension. Some may look pretty wacky but it creates a new feeling of wonder. You never quite know what the Ultra Beasts are going to be and it makes their battles more exciting than your typical Legendary Pokemon. They also took Sun and Moon's story in interesting places.
This is really just scratching the surface. Feel free to share your favourite aspects of Pokemon Sun and Moon and what you appreciate about them. Maybe you didn't like some of the changes they made? Let that be heard too!
Anyway rant over, here are the highlights of Sun and Moon:
1. Gyms were replaced with Island Trials
The structure of any Pokemon RPG is to go around the region battling 8 gym leaders all whilst saving the world inbetween, right? Well Sun and Moon actually completely did away with gyms and instead had you completing varied and distinctive island tasks that went far beyond the typical gym formula. They even culminate in a boss battle of sorts against Totem Pokemon which gives each one an epic flare.
2. Pokemon were further integrated into the world
The Alola region has better world building than any other Pokemon location. The humans and pocket monsters truly reside together and this is showcased right from the get go with your family's pet Meowth. Then as you walk outside you'll see Wingulls flapping in the distance. In towns you'll see Pokemon roaming around with their trainers and you'll even see them labouring together. Pokemon has always been a series about the relationship between Pokemon and their trainers and never has this been highlighted more than with Sun and Moon.
3. HM's are completely gone
We've all had a team of 5 strong Pokemon and one weak HM slave who knows Cut. Don't deny it. It seems Game Freak were fully aware of that and they found a far more elegant solution: Poké Ride. At any moment you can instantly call a Lapras to surf on, a Charizard to fly, a Machamp to use strength...you get the idea. These creatures aren't yours to use in battle but rather they're assistance Pokemon - so they don't take up any spots in your party. The HM system was somewhat flawed from conception and forced you to carry around certain Pokemon regardless if you actually wanted them in your team.
4. The series went further with 3D space
X and Y took baby steps into the third dimension but we were still limited to an 8 directional plane when walking around. In Sun and Moon not only can you walk around freely but the approach to level design has been completely overhauled to fit its new 3D environments. Areas are way more open than before and you may also notice the art style has drastically changed from the chibi look of X and Y. This full 3D setting allows for some beautiful cinematic swoops and while the camera is still fixed, it rarely resembles the top down of previous games.
5. It introduced Ultra Beasts
Most of Sun and Moon's refinements are in the overworld but here they made a pretty big change to the fundamentals of Pokemon. Ultra Beasts are basically legendary Pokemon but from another dimension. Some may look pretty wacky but it creates a new feeling of wonder. You never quite know what the Ultra Beasts are going to be and it makes their battles more exciting than your typical Legendary Pokemon. They also took Sun and Moon's story in interesting places.
This is really just scratching the surface. Feel free to share your favourite aspects of Pokemon Sun and Moon and what you appreciate about them. Maybe you didn't like some of the changes they made? Let that be heard too!
