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They also work well with the strong roster of new Pokemon that features interesting type combinations with some pretty good stat spread options, and I’m excited to see how they work their way into the competitive scene. The Alola forms of first-generation Pokemon, like the more colorful Grimer and the infamously tall Exeggutor, for example, are smart changes that are in sync with the ecology of the islands. It doesn’t feel out of place, though, since it’s where the new horse Pokemon, Mudsdale, is kept for riders looking to traverse rocky trails - which I’d need later on.Īmong the surprises, there are a lot of details in Alola that nail the tropical theme and fit well.
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I definitely didn’t think I’d find myself in an Old West-style ranch town, for example, and was delighted as I walked through it. Alola is based on Hawaii, and from the smaller, quieter island you call home to another with a luxurious resort and a volcano, each of the four main islands has its own feel. Instead of just looking for items or places to grind, I was taught to expect the unexpected. They’re kind of cool to have as a panic button in a tough battle, so I’m interested to see if they’ll be allowed in official competitive matches and how they might shake things up.Īlola is the most inspired region in Pokemon so far, and that made exploring it fun and rewarding.
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I didn’t really need to use these Z-Moves during my Island Challenge (though part of that was wanting a bit more flexibility with difficulty, which Pokemon has always been good at granting by making these things optional). It’s Alola’s take on Mega Evolutions, designed to add something to the familiar mix of battle, and I have yet to see past its novelty.
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The reward for completing a trial is a Z-Crystal, an item which allows the Pokemon holding it to attack with an extra-strong ultimate move once per battle. After two trials, I was as fully invested in the new region as I was with my familiar quest to become the champion. The trials are a good way to get to know the charming captains that run them and learn about the history and traditions of Alola - even on the first island, I’d heard bits and pieces about the elusive “guardian Deity” Pokemon and come to understand the trials’ purpose in the local legends surrounding them. It’s similar enough to previous Pokemon games to avoid alienating veterans but also an inventive take on the formula that fits with and plays off of the island setting beautifully. One trial sent me on a hunt for ingredients so we could attract a local Pokemon with a traditional meal, while another involved memorizing luau-esque dances atop a volcano.
#Pokemon x and y anime review the whole series#
Instead of taking on a series of gyms as we’ve done many times before, you embark on a variety of battles and non-combat challenges, such as scavenger hunts and quizzes, that culminate in a fight against a stronger foe. With equal attention given to roleplaying (my first obsession) and battle (my more recent interest), Sun and Moon both honor the 20-year legacy of Pokemon and improve upon it in a number of ways, making for a surprising and engaging tropical adventure that is as much about the journey as it is the destination.Īrguably the biggest and most important change in Pokemon Sun and Moon is the Island Challenge in its new setting, Alola. Like re-reading a favorite book in an unfamiliar place, Pokemon Sun and Moon combine a lot of my favorite things about Pokemon into an adventure that reminded me why I fell in love with this RPG series in the first place without simply repeating what came before. Update: Pokemon Sun and Moon has been nominated for IGN's 2016 Game of the Year.