Alongside Pokemon GO, many long time fans have also been eagerly waiting for the release of the next installment in the long running Pokemon Main Games, Pokemon Sun and Moon. All throughout the year Nintendo has been slowly showing off some of the new additions to the game’s ever expanding list of Pokemon, including the cuddly but deadly Bewear and the cowardly Wimpod. However, with the new additions comes something never seen before in a Pokemon game, redesigns of Generation 1 Pokemon (aka Pokemon from the original 150) called Alolan Forms, after the region the game takes place in.

Both games take place in the Alola Region, based on the islands of Hawaii, where the player takes the role of an 11 year old kid moving from the Kanto Region with his mother. Your cousin just so happens to also live there and also so happens to be a Pokemon Professor who encourages you to take on the Island Challenge. The Island Challenge is a substitute for the classic crusade of gyms for gym badges that was present in past games. Along with your choice of starter, you must travel to all 4 islands that make up the Alola region, and become a Pokemon Master!

“This whole game was simultaneously a love letter to old fans, and a greeting letter to the new fans,” senior James Maxwell said. “The innovation gives the franchise new blood, and the Alolan forms tell only  fans that they still have something to look forward to as the franchise moves forward. I personally can’t wait to see what great things Nintendo has in store for the next few games.”

Pokemon Sun and Moon’s new features, and re-visioning of old ones, has kept it interesting through my own play through. Discovering all the new types of Pokemon, and seeing how they can fit in my team and play style, has really brought me back to when I first started playing Pokemon all together.

Some claim however, that the game has too few new additions and overall just seems lack luster compared to old ones. Sun and Moon definitely feels shorter than say Diamond and Pearl, and the post game is bare bones, but I still highly recommend Pokemon Sun and Moon. It’s pros far outmatch it’s cons in terms of enjoyment value, and with its improved multiplayer mode, you can challenge your friends like never before.