Pokemon Sun&Moon Review: SPOILER FREE

KEY NOTES:

This review has not been inspired from any other

Minimum photos to avoid spoilers (will be updated later once time has been given)

I know nothing from the game aside from what *I* played

I have not completed the game but feel I have enough experience to write the review

I played on the 2DS, my review will reflect this throughout

Alola! (Okay, that was corny!) welcome to my very long awaited review on Pokemon Sun and Moon! I’m going to get straight into the review here with a little foundation of Pokemon history just to jog some of your memories if you have been away from the game for awhile.

Recently Nintendo has brought a slate of Pokemon games to the 3DS, that being Pokemon X/Y(2013), and Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire(2014). While X/Y did release a new type known as Fairy the franchise also was introduced a major slew of other big changes as far as art style, graphics, combat, that hollow back to the originals but not in the same way, let’s get more into that in the review below.

Gameplay:

Pokemon has used the same algorithm for quite some time, however some changes have been seen along the timeline. In my adventure of Sun/Moon I had searched for nothing so this is based off analysis. Triple battles are no longer, as well as Pokemon hordes. In battle you will use your favorite beast in a new tropical setting, which also triggered something new: alternate pokemon forms known as Alolan Forms. Without getting into spoilers I will use an example of let's say a fire type you were familiar with now being an ice type due to the different tropical environment (Helllooooo slight nod to Darwinism!) catching Pokemon is the same although now made harder when Pokemon “Call for help” which is frustratingly implemented in many wild encounters. When a pokemon uses a call for help, there is a high chance a wild pokemon will enter the battle putting you at 2 VS 1 stakes, you cannot catch that wild Pokemon until only it is on the field. While this does add some life to the battles it becomes increasingly annoying as some encounters a Pokemon will bring help to the field as soon as you defeated the prior help, making some battles (from my experience when I am trying to catch a Pokemon) last 20~ minutes or so. If you really are trying to get a specific type of Pokemon and help keeps arriving, you will know what I mean.

Aside from this, Z moves are introduced, it’s a new mechanic from this game that is a special strong move based on your Pokemon’s type using a Z crystal. The Pokemon has to hold the crystal in order for the move to appear in battle. This can essentially mean your Pokemon can have 5 moves (attacks) in its artillery.

HM’s/Travel

HM’s are no longer as well - now we use additional “riding” Pokemon that are separate from the team and you can pull up in a menu. An example is like summoning Stoutland as an item finder, or a Tauros for breaking rocks and speeding across the land.

Pokemon Refresh System

Something that really intrigued me in Sun/Moon is the new care system, known as Refresh. After some harder battles, your Pokemon may need some caring and treatment (such as poison or burn status infliction) you can now opt into manually caring for them without cost by giving them medicine or cleaning dirt off them with the stylus, petting them and feeding a treat after battle. I have found myself caring more for my Pokemon team than ever before, really feeling attached in some segments especially as in battle the Pokemon can feel affection during battle and show signs of being upset, it really pulls at your heartstrings. Particular Pokemon have held out for me in battle longer enduring some one shot kills because of their affection toward me, making this one of the coolest additions to the game.

The Pokedex

I’ll be damned if we don’t get this out on the table now. I HATE the Rotom-dex. If it’s one thing I will briefly tell you all about, it’s the Pokedex. The Pokedex will not reflect the final score of the review however, word of warning for some, be prepared for an annoying talking Pokedex that will be constantly watching you on the bottom of the screen. At some points he’s funny, but ultimately I found it useless and a waste of my second screen presenting a scruffy map. The map has been slightly of help, but Sun/Moon has now added red flag markers to your next way point, which I found discouraging and too casual for the franchise. It often made me felt rushed which really upset me however based on a poll my friend I ran, and comments to boot I found the dex is not necessarily bothering everyone.

STORY:

35 hours in game and I have yet to beat the game, I have taken my time and this is a good example of getting the most bang for your buck.

Story is something of a unique implementation in the game. While Pokemon has never had story as a strong suite, I have found myself intrigued with some of the new cast, as well as old reappearances. Although my major gripe with the story is how tutorial has been forcibly implemented into it, causing the beginning to go VERY, VERY SLOW. A little bothersome but it does eventually pass, just a word of warning. The story features you on the tropical Pokemon Island of Alola where you are now conquering “Trials” and facing a master of all trials, known as Kahauna’s. The gyms are no longer however as this is a taste preference I will leave it to you whether or not that is a problem. I have heard for the most part that people enjoy the new system, however it does not necessarily feel like a direct Pokemon sequel in some regards…

Graphics:

Sun/Moon is eye candy through and through, aside from the few difficulties mentioned below. Aside from some tech problems, this game has the best up to date graphics for your viewing pleasure regarding the direct lineup of Pokemon. It’s tropical, it’s beautiful, the water is fluent, Pokemon look detailed and the land all around you is springing to life. Wild plants and lush jungle combined with dynamic views can really immerse you into the game, making you feel a part of the experience more than ever. Along with trainers being fully animated next to Pokemon in battles, the whole game is teeming with life.

Technical Difficulties:

A few users including myself have noticed quite an increase of system drag during our adventures in Sun/Moon. For instance, a common issue for me is long loading times during trial battles, choppy frame rates or skipping during harsh segments (ex; a trainer is dancing alongside it’s pokemon and frames begin to struggle while the Zubats wings are flying fast, causing some cutting and slow down) now I have yet to hear any issues on the New 3DS system lineup, but because I consider that an optional upgrade and that this game was released for all units in the 3DS family, it will have to be something worth acknowledging. Some more nitpicking is that on older 3DS originals people have reported to me (I don’t notice it as much) some slight pixel breaking on characters, and trainers. Mostly the detailing in outfits and eyes can look pixelated, a minor note. It hurts me that such small problems could interfere with the experience but when immersion is cut in any game, as a fair reviewer I need to note that. My friend, @Chadexcuse helped break down what system people are playing on, so again this problem is not going to apply to everyone but it is regardless - a problem.

Sound:

Sound is top notch. From hearing tropical Pokemon cries during the day and night, to the ambient and vibe beat of the game's soundtrack, you’ll have a hard time lowering the volume during your adventures in Alola. The soundtrack doesn’t fall short of tropical, with reiterations of the beginning theme being played in towns, or the battle music with tropical bongos, Game Freak did not fall short. Putting headphones on during gameplay can reveal just how much effort was put into the sound of the game. Pokemon cries are outstanding and fun to listen to when checking the Pokemon evaluation, and hearing some old tunes like the Pokecenter being reiterated to a tropics theme is really cool.

Online:

Festival Plaza is the new implementation of playing online with other trainers. Most of this is done in a plaza where friends and random trainers alike will spawn. Festival Plaza can be as big or small as you make it, allowing global trading and wonder trade as well as ranked battles too. It’s relatively easy to meet up with a friend online once you find them and add them to VIP, this being said, I haven’t had any issues at all online. Festival Plaza also allows you to open up shops for yourself where you use points allocated through meeting people and doing little minigame word trails - giving you opportunities to level pokemon with Rare’s Kitchen, or enter a lottery, miscellaneous things of the like.

General:

Character customization is back from X/Y and it is rather fun. You can customize skin, hair, eyes, and clothing. I had noticed a lot of ground travel in this game which is quite fun on your mount. Pokecenters have the marts and cafe’s inside them now (for some wisdom and a nice cup of coffee), new Pokemon are wonderful and fun to evolve, some of them with their own challenges in which the online community has gathered to talk about. Bikes and rollerskating seem nonexistent in Alola. Mega stones seem to have gone missing with no word on them, however when I researched this it appears they will be available after end game. I am a bit concerned on why Z moves over Mega stones since the franchise was building on mega stones for the last two games.

My Experience:

I have been having a blast in Sun/Moon but at certain points I can’t help but feel this is a different game from the direct line of Pokemon. It almost feels like a spin off, but not quite at the same time. The new additions from the game work well for it and can really save a person frustration from the prior games, although other die-hards from the older series may feel slightly deprived from the games new glossy coat of paint. The game has been fun, although slightly easy in my experience with the regards of getting stuck in the beginning on a few trials, nothing note worthy of intensively hard though. Even though I haven’t had much difficulty, as you see the game has still provided me a ton of hours and I still feel like I have a way to go. The best part of the franchise and game alone is that you can decide whether you want to work on the Pokedex or just go through the main story and come back for the dex entries later, how you play is up to you. I find myself spending the most time catching everything new and trying to evolve it then decide whether it will be a good rendition to my team.

I have never had such a fun time before playing this game with friends. Talking about the game everyday so far and asking people where they found certain Pokemon, or how they evolved something in trade for my own information has been such an exciting experience - without relying on a guide. I haven’t seen the online community work together so well in a while, nor have I been in the loop as much as now. I would be sending comparison shots to my friends in return for there’s seeing how our teams are doing and where they found “THAT!!” Pokemon, such a great time. Helping each other trade off Pokemon to complete the Sun/Moon dex is all that more enticing and easy with Nintendo keeping things free to play (something we shouldn’t take for granted)

Summary:

Sun/Moon is still a complete package regardless of the changes Game Freak has made. While tutorial is unforgiving it can be easily overlooked as well as minor graphic issues. This game is a personal challenge to give a fair rating due to hype and having a history of excellence, however I was not impressed with the starters toward final evolution, but this varies as other Pokemon in the game have become easy favorites. Story line is bland but fun for those involved enough to keep tabs on it. For full price, you couldn’t of asked for more as this game definitely delivers. As my reviews do stray from standard ones, with a good rating will definitely be notes on what other players should still look out for in their purchase as some of this minor stuff can hinder the experience on more novel gamers.

Pros-

• Amazing and fun new Pokemon with a teeming new world
• Solid gameplay time at own leisure pace (30+hours main story)
• Fun online community/Festival Plaza
• Gorgeous graphics and soundtrack
• Battle Royal is a fun side mode for trainers to partake in after main game

Cons-

• Graphics can stall and cause loading during battle (older units)
• Reports of edgy pixels in gameplay (older units)
• Pokemon calling for help isn’t favorable
• A different “vibe” than original games may not win over fanbase
• Can be too easy at times (difficulty spikes in trials big time)
• Forced tutorial

FINAL SCORE: 8/10