Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: A Review
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, released in late 2017, presented a compelling enhancement to the already popular Sun and Moon games. These enhanced versions offered a refined experience, building upon the foundation laid by their predecessors. The additions weren’t merely cosmetic; they significantly impacted gameplay, story, and overall immersion. This review will dissect the key improvements and explore whether these games truly justify a second visit to Alola.
Gameplay Enhancements: Beyond the Surface
One of the most noticeable improvements in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon lies in the refined gameplay mechanics. The battle system, while retaining its core mechanics, felt more fluid and intuitive. The addition of new Z-Moves and improved AI opponents offered a more challenging and rewarding experience for veteran players. Even minor adjustments, such as smoother navigation and quicker menu access, contributed to a more polished and enjoyable gameplay loop. The streamlined interface made even repetitive tasks less tedious.
Improved AI and Challenging Battles
The upgraded AI opponents presented a significantly more challenging experience. They utilized more strategic approaches, adapting their battle strategies to counter the player’s team composition. This was particularly noticeable in post-game content where encountering powerful trainers felt genuinely threatening. The increased difficulty encouraged players to experiment with team compositions and strategies, adding a new layer of complexity to the already engaging battle system.
New Z-Moves and Expanded Movepool
The introduction of new Z-Moves brought a fresh element to the strategic depth of battles. These powerful one-time-use moves added an exciting dimension to competitive play and provided a satisfying burst of power during key moments. The expansion of the movepool for various Pokémon also introduced more opportunities for experimentation and strategic diversity. Players could now explore different builds and strategies, making each playthrough feel unique.
Story and Narrative: A Deeper Dive into Alola
While the core storyline of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon remains largely consistent with Sun and Moon, the narrative is significantly enhanced through the addition of new characters, expanded lore, and a more compelling overarching plot. The inclusion of Ultra Wormholes and the mysterious Ultra Beasts added a layer of intrigue and suspense, keeping players engaged throughout the adventure. The expanded world felt richer and more vibrant, enhancing the overall experience.
New Characters and Expanded Lore
The introduction of new characters brought fresh perspectives and added depth to the existing narrative. These characters weren’t just plot devices; they felt like integral parts of the Alolan world, contributing to the overall richness of the setting. The expanded lore, revealed through dialogue, exploration, and side quests, added layers of complexity and intrigue to the established mythology. The world felt more lived-in and less like a simplified background for the main plot.
Ultra Wormholes and the Ultra Beasts
The inclusion of Ultra Wormholes and the enigmatic Ultra Beasts served as a central element to the narrative. These mysterious entities introduced a sense of wonder and danger, adding a layer of suspense and excitement to the exploration. The exploration of these wormholes led to engaging encounters and added a significant amount of replayability to the game. The mystery surrounding these creatures kept players engaged and curious throughout the game.
Graphics and Visuals: A Polished Presentation
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon boast improved graphics and visual fidelity compared to their predecessors. While not a graphical revolution, the enhancements are noticeable, contributing to a more immersive and visually appealing experience. The environments feel more detailed and vibrant, and the character models have received a subtle but welcome upgrade. These improvements, while incremental, significantly contribute to the overall presentation.
Enhanced Environments and Character Models
The most noticeable improvement lies in the enhanced detail of the environments. The textures are sharper, the lighting is more dynamic, and the overall visual fidelity is significantly higher. The character models have also received a subtle but noticeable upgrade, lending a more polished and refined look to the characters. These improvements contribute to a more immersive and enjoyable experience.
Improved Lighting and Effects
The improved lighting and effects add depth and vibrancy to the environments. The sunrises and sunsets are particularly striking, showcasing the enhanced visual capabilities of the 3DS hardware. The dynamic lighting system adds a layer of realism, making the world feel more alive and engaging. The overall visual enhancement contributes to a more immersive and enjoyable gaming experience.
Post-Game Content: Extended Playability
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon offer a substantial amount of post-game content, ensuring that players have plenty to do even after completing the main storyline. This includes challenging battles against powerful trainers, the opportunity to catch legendary Pokémon, and the ability to explore Ultra Wormholes further. The extended playtime offered by the post-game content adds significant value to the overall package.
Challenging Post-Game Battles
The post-game battles provide a significant challenge for even experienced players. These battles require strategic thinking and careful team composition, offering a rewarding experience for those seeking a challenge. The high difficulty encourages players to experiment with different team combinations and strategies, adding a new layer of complexity to the gameplay.
Catching Legendary Pokémon
The opportunity to catch various legendary Pokémon adds excitement and replayability to the post-game content. These legendary Pokémon are powerful and highly sought after, providing a rewarding experience for dedicated players. The hunt for these elusive creatures adds a significant amount of replayability to the game.
Overall Impression: A Worthy Upgrade?
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon offer a refined and enhanced experience compared to their predecessors. The improvements, while not revolutionary, are substantial enough to warrant a playthrough, particularly for fans of the original Sun and Moon games. The enhanced gameplay, compelling narrative, and improved visuals combine to create a truly enjoyable and immersive Pokémon adventure. The extended post-game content further enhances the overall value and replayability.
The refined battle system offers more strategic depth. The expanded story provides a more engaging narrative. The enhanced visuals create a more immersive world. The expanded post-game content provides hours of additional gameplay. In conclusion, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon stand as worthy additions to the ever-expanding Pokémon universe.
- Pros: Refined gameplay, compelling narrative, improved visuals, extended post-game content, challenging battles
- Cons: Incremental improvements over Sun and Moon, may not justify a purchase if you already own Sun or Moon
- Recommended for: Fans of the original Sun and Moon games, players seeking a challenging and rewarding Pokémon experience, those who enjoy exploring expanded lore and deeper narratives within the Pokémon universe.
- Not recommended for: Players who have already played Sun or Moon and are looking for a drastically different experience.
