Pokemon fans are notoriously hard to please. You've probably seen the shouting matches on Reddit or Twitter. When Pokemon series Sun and Moon first dropped on the 3DS back in 2016, it felt like a total fever dream for anyone used to the "eight gyms and an Elite Four" grind. Honestly, it was the first time Game Freak actually tried to kill the formula.
It worked. Sorta.
The Alola region replaced cold, structured gyms with Island Challenges. It traded the standard "Gotta Catch 'Em All" vibe for a story that felt more like a JRPG than a monster collector. Some people loved the tan lines and the tropical Z-Moves. Others absolutely hated the hand-holding. Whether you're a veteran player or just curious why your kid is obsessed with a literal pile of sand (looking at you, Palossand), understanding why this specific generation is so polarizing is key to understanding where the franchise is heading in 2026.
The Alolan Experiment: More Than Just Tropical Skins
People forget how weird things got. For twenty years, we knew what a Vulpix looked like. Then, suddenly, it’s white and breathes ice. This wasn't just a cosmetic change; it was a lore-heavy pivot toward "regional variants."
The Pokemon series Sun and Moon games introduced the idea that environment dictates biology. It sounds simple, but it changed the competitive meta forever. It also grounded the world. Alola felt like a living ecosystem where Alolan Exeggutor grew massive necks because of the intense sunlight, rather than just being a weird digital asset.
No Gyms, No Master?
The removal of Gym Leaders was the biggest gamble. Instead, we got Totem Pokemon—massive, buffed-up versions of regular monsters that could call for help. If you weren't prepared for that Lurantis on Akala Island, you were going to get wiped. It was actually hard. Most modern Pokemon games get flak for being too easy, but those Totem fights required actual strategy.
The Trial Captains—Mallow, Lana, Kiawe—weren't just bosses standing in a room waiting for you to walk in. They had lives. They had houses you could visit. It made the Alola region feel like a community rather than a gauntlet of obstacles.
Why the Story Actually Matters This Time
Let’s be real: Pokemon stories are usually paper-thin. You get a starter, you beat a team of goofy villains, you become the champ. Simple. But Sun and Moon went dark. Really dark.
The narrative centered on the Aether Foundation and a family dynamic that was genuinely uncomfortable. Lusamine wasn't just a villain; she was a traumatized, obsessive mother. Lillie’s character arc from a terrified girl hiding a "Nebby" in her bag to a confident trainer is arguably the best writing Game Freak has ever put out.
The Ultra Beast Problem
Then things got sci-fi. Ultra Beasts are basically aliens from another dimension (Ultra Space). They don't look like Pokemon. They look like glass, or paper, or massive muscular mosquitoes. This shift was jarring for some. It felt less like Pokemon and more like Shin Megami Tensei.
But that was the point. Alola was meant to be an intrusion of the weird into the familiar. The stakes felt higher because the threat wasn't just a guy in a suit wanting to expand the ocean; it was interdimensional predators threatening the fabric of reality.
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The "Hand-holding" Controversy
We have to talk about the Rotom Dex. It never stops talking. Never.
The biggest criticism leveled against the Pokemon series Sun and Moon is the pacing. The tutorials are relentless. You can’t walk ten feet in the first five hours without a cutscene stopping you to explain how a door works. It’s frustrating. For long-time players who just wanted to get to the tall grass, Alola felt like a guided tour where the guide wouldn't let go of your hand.
Yet, there’s a flip side. This accessibility brought in a whole new generation of fans. By slowing down, the game allowed players to actually absorb the culture of the islands. You weren't just rushing to the finish line; you were living there.
Z-Moves vs. Mega Evolution
Mega Evolution was the darling of Generation 6. It was cool, it was sleek, and it gave old Pokemon new life. When Sun and Moon shifted focus to Z-Moves—once-per-battle "nukes" with long animations—the competitive community was split.
- Z-Moves allowed almost any Pokemon to be viable for one turn.
- Mega Evolutions were restricted to a small pool of favorites.
Z-Moves felt a bit "Power Rangers," but they added a layer of unpredictability. You didn't know if that Eevee was about to hit you with "Extreme Evoboost" and become a god, or if that Pikachu was going to drop a "10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt" on your head. It was chaotic. It was fun. It was very, very Alolan.
The Legacy of the Alola Region in 2026
Looking back from the perspective of modern titles like Scarlet and Violet, you can see the DNA of Sun and Moon everywhere. The open-zone experiments started here. The focus on deep, character-driven narratives started here. Even the way we interact with Pokemon through "Pokemon Refresh" evolved into the picnics and camps we see today.
The game wasn't perfect. The framerate on the original 3DS chugged during double battles. The linear paths felt restrictive compared to the open worlds we have now. But the soul of the game—that warm, "Aloha" spirit mixed with existential dread from beyond the stars—is something the series hasn't quite replicated since.
What to Do if You’re Playing Now
If you’re digging out your 3DS to revisit the Pokemon series Sun and Moon (or the "Ultra" versions), keep these things in mind to actually enjoy it:
- Don't rush Melemele Island. The first island is one giant tutorial. Accept it. If you fight it, you'll be miserable.
- Pay attention to the NPCs. The flavor text in Alola is some of the best in the series. There are side quests involving haunted schools and lonely old men that are genuinely moving.
- Try the "Ultra" versions for gameplay, but the originals for story. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have more content and better boss fights (looking at you, Ultra Necrozma), but they actually mess up the pacing of the original Lusamine storyline.
- Turn off the battle animations if you're grinding. Z-Moves are cool the first five times. The hundredth time? Not so much.
- Experiment with Regional Variants. Don't just stick to the classics. Using an Alolan Muk or Marowak changes how you approach typing entirely.
The Pokemon series Sun and Moon remains a high-water mark for creativity in a franchise that is often accused of playing it safe. It’s bright, it’s weird, and it’s surprisingly emotional. If you can get past the chatty Pokedex, you’ll find one of the most cohesive and atmospheric worlds Nintendo has ever built.
To get the most out of your Alolan journey, start by focusing on building a team that utilizes the "SOS Battle" mechanic to find Pokemon with Hidden Abilities. This is where the real depth of the 7th generation lies. Once you master the chaining system, the game's difficulty curve becomes a playground for optimization. Then, head to the Battle Tree to test your mettle against legends like Red and Blue—a fitting tribute to the history this generation worked so hard to redefine.