Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Review
Summary: Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon offers fans a much more engaging and entertaining experience than the previous game
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Gotta catch ‘em all!
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is the swan song of this franchise on the Nintendo 3DS as the developers GameFreak tweak the previous game Pokémon Sun and Moon with improved mechanics and other features to make the experience a much more enjoyable one. So if you missed the original game, this is the perfect time to jump on board, however if you own Pokémon Sun and Moon, I would probably pass unless you’re a diehard fan. Given that, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is like an upgrade, until you start seeing some of the newer enemies which does give you a challenge.
Like previous Pokémon games, it is up to the player and along with their Pokémon to prevent Team Skull from unleashing their terror on the world and needless to say, it’s going to be an interesting right. The whole story feels like an anime for children which really suits the over the top nature of the Pokémon franchise. Sure, its clichéd and at times a little embarrassing but somehow it works, especially with the backdrop of the islands in Alola and the great supporting cast.
At its core, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon feature a strong campaign mode as you explore the lands in search of the mysterious Pokémon as you battle and collect these mythical gaming creatures. Sure, the title does require a healthy amount of grinding but exploring the beautiful and diverse islands of Alola is quite an enjoyable experience and it definitely channels Hawaii into creation. It also looks great on the 3DS!
To make things a little more surprising for players while you fight, wild Pokémon can also summon allies which definitely requires you to tweak your battle strategies as it’s two against one. Add in Z-moves which greatly increase your attacks and the battle system of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is not only diverse but quite enjoyable and helps move slightly away from the grind. There’s also an area where you can buy and trade items, including engaging other players with up to four trainers in the Battle Royal mode to help keep things fresh.
Interestingly there are no gyms available to the player which has been a Pokémon staple for a long time. Rather, the player must engage in Island Trials and upon visiting one of the captains, they will give you tasks which are required to be completed. The final challenge has the player going up against a Totem Pokémon which is your classic Pokémon battle as you attempt to outwit your opponent.
As a result, the move away from the gym creates a much more dynamic experience and once you defeat the leader of the island called the Kahuna and their Pokémon, this allows you to access the next island which gives you the motivation needed to continue exploring and powering up. Needless to say, there’s plenty to see and do in Alola but in classic Pokémon fashion.
Graphically, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is a visual treat on the 3DS which certainly creates one of the best games to date. The Pokémon and character designs look great as are the beautiful tropical islands of Alola, not to mention the great cutscenes that help progress the story. Add in the perfect soundtrack which suits the game perfectly and all the sound effects of these living breathing islands plus the noises of the Pokémon and all in all, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon tick the right boxes for a good looking and sounding Pokémon title… more importantly, quite playable!
Final Thoughts?
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is a far superior version than Pokémon Sun and Moon with improved mechanics and some fun features plus new enemies to keep you invested. It’s definitely a title for fans but is also one that is accessible by newcomers, especially if you want to know what the Pokémon craze is all about. At the end of the day, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon takes this franchise to new heights with fun gameplay and decent graphics.
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