Because this game is so expansive, this review will only address my experience with the story segments of the game.
So to start things off; my game was the Sun edition. So when I played it, it was mostly night time, as I did so after work. But you didn’t want to know that. . . *cough*
The game is very quick to get you into the world of Alola (basically Hawaii). You’ll quickly meet up with a colourful cast, one of which is the surfer dude Professor Kukui. Overall the cast of characters in the game are impressive. Would even state, I haven’t seen such a diverse and interesting cast in the Pokémon series. They interact enough to stick with you, feeling less like progression tools but more as people, even key Pokémon fill this role as well. All coming to a meaningful remembrance.
Even now, I really hope Lillie visits my character to bring that bubbly charm.
It’s also worth noting they’ve modernised a few key mechanics-
1)The grid base movement in previous games is gone. And the world angles has changed to give you an overall better view of the distance. It’s a lot like Monster Hunter from a perspective standpoint, with a locked camera. only issue I found, is parts of the world look as if they are built with grid movement in mind. Perhaps the game had huge changes during development. . .
2) HMs are replaced with a quick select Pokémon like tool, one of which you don’t even own. It just appears when you want it after completing a reasonable amount of the game. It essentially removes the restrictions on the team you are currently using entirely.
3) The moving of Pokémon from Box to Team has also been simplified to the point you needn’t worry about running to a Pokémon Centre. It can be handled after you catch any creature.
4) Z-Moves work a lot like Mega Evolutions. Except they attach themselves on a move your Pokémon currently has. It's a novel fifth move. And one I'd recommend you give to your physically weakest Pokémon to give them a little advantage.
Now with that out the way. Music. Which is simply excellent! You get many beats, however the ones that grabbed me the most had a very cultural feel to the inspired land of Hawaii. Though you'll find many to fit you palette. If you like retro hip hop? You're in for a treat.
Now going back. The graphical improvement from X and Y is something you notice after a session or two, but you will notice it. Pokémon X and Y saw a huge change, bringing us a game that uses its 3DS hardware well, finally giving Pokémon the polygon treatment. Yet you’ll be far more impressed with the world of Alola than that of Kalos, or even remade Hoenn. As this really pushes the 3DS to its limit.
Most noticeably removes the chibi artstyle. Making each character feel more unique and grounded. Even the Alola locales have more diversity, and at times move around the world seamlessly like real people, which hasn’t been done in the series before. Each new face is more expressive and goes with the excitement of visiting new characters. And while that's often shown through cliché expressions, it gives the NPCs a personality and style they lacked before.
Now let’s get to the bread and butter of these games. The Pokémon. Some of the moves and monsters have been re-tweaked but it’s really the new Pokémon that’ll grab your attention. And for the most case, I really liked them, personally wished for more in a certain typing. . . Yet for what the region is, I think they did a fantastic job. It's still a turned based battle-system, much as what it was in X/Y. Now however the new forms, abilities, and power-ups bring a far more in-depth journey.
The games' main theme(s) is that of nature, spiritual connection to the Islands, and a conflict which cannot be avoided. It starts very tribal and goes into some interesting settings I’d rather not spoil. Cut scenes are less tacked on, feeling like character development and setting the next event ment something.
You get your usual Team bad. . And your protagonist will bump-heads with them all the time. However, to prevent repetivity, as you found with Team Flare. Team Skull is almost entirely parody and that’s a very welcome change, even having some of the most interesting characters in the game.
It's up to you to use your Pokémon to stop the hip-hop team in the usual set-up of past games. But at times they come in when you’ve just done one of the trails (think Gyms but different). It's superficial and cheesy, but that's always entertaining. For adults, the level of humor in the dialogue is pretty good, while a child can approach it from a neutral stance. It's approachable for the youngest among us, but contains a sense of subtext for us 'older crowd'.
Got my Pokémon copy early. So don’t threat about the game being easy, or a short experience. The ride of playing through Sun without any guides was pretty straight forward. The new Rotom Pokédex makes sure you always know where to go. As it constantly maps the right path. Which is very helpful for the exploring types (like me) that get lost. . .
And yet the game had quite a few difficult battles that kept me on my toes, and made me think as if I was facing a player who was considering his/her options. So if you wanted more kick in your Pokémon game? This'll satisfy that itch.
Pokémon Sun (and Moon) is without doubt the best game The Pokémon Company has put into the public's hands. Not only is it the best Pokémon game. It’s questionably one of the best RPG games in years!
So now that I’m at the Battle Tree. I’ll be viewing the game more from a mechanical point-of-view. And will get myself using the Festival Plaza (finally).
It’s amazing how despite me finishing the story section of this game. My experience seems mocked, for all the secrets I’ve yet to discover. I hope to look into them at a later date. But for now, I just want to get trading, and battling players across the world.
Enjoy. This game is amazing!