Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: Game Review
Game Freak brought Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon to tie up with their Sun and Moon games. The way these games were delivered contrasts most titles since Pokemon games first came in threes with Yellow coming after the release of Red and Blue. The tradition continued to the metal era, with Crystal completing the trio alongside Gold and Silver.
It was not until Game Freak propelled the idea of releasing two separate titles that fans were exposed to the change through the release of Black 2 and White 2. Another concept that Black 2 and White 2 popularized but was adapted by Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon was the concept of fusion.
Before you pick up a copy of Ultra Sun and Moon, here are the pros, cons, and summary.
Pros
New Pokemon and New Pokemon Forms
Like previous Pokemon games, the expanded Pokedex returns with around 100 more species confirmed to reside in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
The new games became more forgiving for players who had trouble tracking down the rare encounter rate Pokemon in Sun and Moon.
Looking at the Ultra Beasts, they equally contribute to the dex count with ones like Poipole strengthening the connection between Ultra Beast and Pokemon due to its capability of evolving.
One of the things I appreciate the most when playing a new copy of the game is discovering the new species scattered across the region. Without a clue on what lies ahead, the thrill of finding new Pokemon be it from the tall grass, or surfing uncharted waters makes fans like me ecstatic to continue on my journey across the islands.
With changes to the Totem Pokeomn, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon caters not only to new players but also to old fans.
New Events
Pokemon is an interesting title in the way that the new games often shed light on certain species that were not given much credit in previous games. One example is the topic on Necrozma who had less screen-time during the advent of Sun and Moon.
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon expanded on the lore of Necrozma, which then gave rise to the Ultra Recon Squad, a group that holds the key to unlocking the mystery of this Prism Pokemon.
The added content does not stop on the main story, as “Episode RR” focused on the emergence of Team Rainbow Rocket and the return of the past games’ villains. These characters serve as the last boss fights of the installment, a feature that was lacking in Sun and Moon.
Optional Sidequests abound across the Alola Region with new collectibles like the Totem Stickers to complete, and challenges to explore.
Main Story Difficulty Changed
Players who had an easy time finishing the Island Kahuna Grand Trials of the past games should not think of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon’s counterparts as merely pushovers. Although these trials have retained their previous names, players need to strive hard to overcome the more complicated challenges that these games offer.
To overcome the challenges, players cannot rely on skipping opportunities to raise their Pokemon’s level. Moreover, players who were able to pass the previous games without resorting to type matchups as much should think twice before partaking of these new challenges.
Cons
Main story is largely the same
It is no question that Game Freak took us by surprise by showing a more Necrozma-centric game and introducing a new group to the mix, however they neglected to change much of the story content and stuck with some recycled events. If you are a player who expects a significant overhaul to the main story, this game is not for you.
Same region, more difficult game
Game Freak hands down did a pretty good job in changing much of the game’s difficulty to suit fans who enjoy a more challenging installment. However, in exchange the game might be too hard for certain age groups to finish because of the jump in the difficulty curve.
Despite the high difficulty curve, some elements of the game appeal to children too. For example, the Ultra Wormhole Adventure utilizes the gyro sensor which takes the player’s gaming experience to a whole new level.
Summary
Players used to a more lax Pokemon game should expect Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon to require more effort to finish.
Fans of the franchise who have moderate knowledge of the Pokemon games should find the game to be a good challenge. In contrast, if you plan on picking up a copy of this game as your first Pokemon game, it may require some patience to get past the first trial because of the difficulty.
Those who appreciate a tough challenge should continue to the post-game story to find familiar faces in “Episode RR.”
Main Story aside, new features like “Mantine Surf” and “Alola Photo Club” are present for players who wish to appreciate the game for its outside-battle elements, or those who want to take a break from battling.
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