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It’s been awhile since we last saw the official news on the upcoming “Pokemon Sun” and “Pokemon Moon” games. While the brand-new information is brief, it’s enough to bring the hype up again. This time around we learn about who to expect on our adventure, the new Alola region. The box cover legendaries, and an unexpected companion.

The Hero & Heroine and the people they’ll meet

Pick your avatar and start your adventure this November.

Like every Pokemon title since “Pokemon Crystal” (Generation 2’s third installment) the player picks whether to be play as the male or female trainer. In “Pokemon Sun” and “Pokemon Moon” you’ll get the option to pick which character model to play as well (akin to “Pokemon X” and “Pokemon Y,” Generation 6). While there isn’t any information about trainer customization, we could expect to see its return since selecting a character model went in hand with the feature in X & Y (not included in “Pokemon AlphaSapphire” and “Pokemon OmegaRuby” because they wanted to be close to the original Generation 3 games). Along the way from the start of your adventure, you’ll meet some interesting personalities (even though I think the professor takes the cake on this one).

pokemon sun and pokemon moon professor kukui

I don’t think we’ll see another 150 original Pokemon like we did in “Pokemon Black” and “Pokemon White.”.

Professor Kukui is Alola’s regional Pokemon Professor, and unlike some of the other professors who study evolution, Mega Evolution and origins (or just Pokemon in general). Kukui studies Pokemon moves. He is so dedicated to the field. He practically takes hits in the name of science. And “if” you remember the beginning of Pokemon Black & White, or if you have read the Pokedex, or seen the anime (both the main series and the Origins mini-series). Then you would know that this is insane. However, I guess there’s a reason why he has a buff bod.

What’s her story? We won’t know until we play Sun and Moon.

Lillie is said to be a “mysterious” assistant to Professor Kukui though her reasons are personal at the moment. She’s not a big fan of Pokemon battles (some people in the Pokemon world are like that) but being a devoted reader. So I’m sure she has read many books on them. Her role is supposedly important to the games’ story. I think I might call it here: either she has researched the legendaries in the Alola region, or she might have a role similar to Zinnia (Lorekeeper in ORAS’s Delta Episode).

Breaking news! Chickens DO exist in the Pokemon world!

Finally, we have Hau, your buddy the moment you start playing the game. He’s a Pokemon-loving kid, but he has one weakness: malasada (a real-world confection). Since it’s a popular treat in the Alola region, he’ll search out a malasada shop if there’s one in town. However, that leave’s a question about him: is he serious with Pokemon training as his appetite is?

The Alola Region

pokemon sun and pokemon moon alola region

Aloha Alola!)

As we have learned from the initial news, the Alola region will be based on Hawaii. We now have a full map of the region. From the looks of things, we’re going to be surfing a lot. In a previous article I said I hope that we won’t resort to having HM slaves. As we might have a couple of them partying with us. Still though I suppose, it won’t be so bad (as long as we get to ride an actual Pokemon model like in Generation 6). From the looks of the artwork, there are four main island with a few places close to them. But is there anything hidden within the big blue sea between them?

Solgaleo and Lunala: The Sunne and Moone Pokemon

pokemon sun and pokemon moon solgaleo and lunala

Solgaleo and Lunala: Are just as majestic as they are beautiful.

We finally have names for the box cover legendaries: Solgaleo the Sunne Pokemon and Lunala the Moone Pokemon. Solgaleo is referred to as “the beast who devours the sun.” Its signature move, Sunsteel Strike, is an attack that charges at an opponent regardless of abilities. It also has the ability Full Metal Body which prevents any debuffs from Pokemon abilities and moves. Lunala is “the beast who calls the moon.” Its signature move “Moonegist Beam” is much like Sunsteel Strike: it releases an ominous beam at a target regardless of abilities. This Pokemon also gets the ability Shadow Shield which reduces damage from an attack as long as it has a full HP bar prior to being hit. Both these Pokemon have majestic appearances that resemble their nature but there’s something odd with their typing.

Solgaleo is weak against Fire while Lunala is hilariously (not really funny, though) frail against dark with the types Psychic/Steel and Psychic/Ghost respectively. And for Pokémon´s who are supposed to represent the Sun and Moon, it’s weird how they’re weak against the types that are usually aligned with these two. Though I’m sure there’s some reasoning behind it, such as something cool as Solgaleo was forged within a star and Lunala being the spirit of nocturnal Pokemon. That may have been grasping for straws, but there’s certainly going to be some mythology behind these two.

Before I move on to the last bit of news (which was the most exciting thing for me personally) there is another feature that was mentioned on the page. “Pokemon Sun” and “Pokemon Moon” will feature a QR Reader function. It’s not surprising that these games will have a QR-related feature (since Nintendo has been utilizing them from Miis to Fire Emblem Fates castles) though it is interesting on how they’re used. From what I understand by reading a QR code you can get information about certain Pokemon (not an actual entry if I read it correctly) and find its habitat so you can catch it yourself. Supposedly, you can use any QR codes for this. Additionally, you can share a QR code pattern from your game with a friend, and they can have the Pokemon you have in your Pokedex registered to theirs. While this sounds nice, I have a feeling that people will be using the Internet to either post the special codes or look them up, kind of down playing the fun.

The Alola Pokedex

Disclaimer: Pokemon will not pop out your 3DS, for now.

The Pokedex is the electronic encyclopedia to Pokemon and every player who has played the core series has at least tempted to fill the pages up (I managed to get regional done on Black, and I’m working on National on X). So why am I more excited about the Pokedex than anything else (outside the starters)? Well, that’s simple: the Pokedex is now a Pokemon.

pokemon sun and pokemon moon rotom pokedex

You’re not going to have a bad time with this little guy.

While it might not be the companion who some people wanted (I know there were some that wanted to have one like in the anime) I think the Rotom Pokedex is a neat concept. It’s not a random A.I. that you’ll need to familiarize yourself with. This is actually the Plasma Pokemon Rotom, a ghost Pokemon that is known to posses electronic devices and wreak havoc. So this guy is going to have some personality and be fun to have around. And not only will it be a fun in-game friend. Because it will also help you with your adventure by recording Pokedex entries, display maps, and give you advice on what to do during tasks. While it’s not a phantasmal butler, I’m sure it’ll make a great addition to the games.

That is the current update on Pokemon Sun & Moon. I’m sure more information will be available during this year’s E3 (Nintendo can’t have the spotlight on the new Zelda throughout their presentation, now can they?). Train on.

Credit:
Robin Ek – Editor

***Disclaimer***
This is a personal opinion of the writer, and it doesn’t necessarily represent the other writers (nor The Gaming Ground´s) opinions.