News: No Gyms Confirmed? Introducing Alola’s Island Challenge
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εcho.
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I'm really excited that they're changing things up! I don't mind the 8 gym model but it's definitely exciting to have new sorts of challenges to look forward to.
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Why would you want to go to the gym at a vacation spot? Pssst, that's just absurd and silly.
To me, it feels like a twist with the elite four. I hope the Captains have like Battle Maison AI's to go up against your team. I don't want them to be mindless huuur-duuuuurh with their mono-type teams. I want them to be competitively interesting.
I don't want to run through their Pokemon team like the previous gym sacks in the past.
To me, it feels like a twist with the elite four. I hope the Captains have like Battle Maison AI's to go up against your team. I don't want them to be mindless huuur-duuuuurh with their mono-type teams. I want them to be competitively interesting.
I don't want to run through their Pokemon team like the previous gym sacks in the past.
Denrew
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What will happen with badges and the mechanics for Pokemon's Obedience
if ever GF chooses to remove the gyms. Just wondering...
if ever GF chooses to remove the gyms. Just wondering...
I don't think I've seen anyone mention it, so I'm going to put it out there that island trials and the activity density that we've noted within single islands reminds me of the way that Star Fox Adventures (a game very dear to me that I enjoyed immensely).
In SFA, when you unlocked a new geographical area on Sauria, there were repeating story elements you'd know you had to complete. You'd need to look for a spell stone, you'd be completing various fetch quests for the local reptiles, your staff would gain a new ability, there would be a big dungeon with a boss fight - but beyond that, in Rare's signature way, the path to each spell stone was littered with unique mini games, story elements, hilarious dialogue.
Island trials give Pokémon that same opportunity. The trailer has me pumped. And if the structure seems too rigid to leave room for real plot development, I'd invite you to revisit SFA to see how the idea of localized trials can be used as a strong plot engine.
In SFA, when you unlocked a new geographical area on Sauria, there were repeating story elements you'd know you had to complete. You'd need to look for a spell stone, you'd be completing various fetch quests for the local reptiles, your staff would gain a new ability, there would be a big dungeon with a boss fight - but beyond that, in Rare's signature way, the path to each spell stone was littered with unique mini games, story elements, hilarious dialogue.
Island trials give Pokémon that same opportunity. The trailer has me pumped. And if the structure seems too rigid to leave room for real plot development, I'd invite you to revisit SFA to see how the idea of localized trials can be used as a strong plot engine.
Now, this is the one thing I am bummed about with Sun and Moon. No gyms is really disappointing to me. I see what they are doing with this Island Challenge formula, but it is still a bummer for me. Idk.
I can appreciate them changing the formula a bit though.
I can appreciate them changing the formula a bit though.
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I'm pretty content with this. I loved Black and White's gym leaders, since they each played active roles in the progression of the story, but to this day it's hard for me to even remember all of the X and Y leaders. Only a couple of them ever left their gyms or had significant dialogue. It's hard for me to get invested in a character or location when the only interaction they offer is "fight the boss, then leave." I think the captains and kahunas have a lot more potential to participate in the story, and it seems they'll be interacting with the player in more ways than just standard battles.
It's hard to say whether or not this will be a permanent change for the series, though. The "Island Trials" concept is clearly very tied to Alola. We certainly won't be seeing the same exact system in any future generation. Not to mention, we see Gyms in the Pokemon world's equivalents of Japan, New York, and France - this suggests that Pokemon Leagues exist worldwide, across all kinds of regions. But I guess it's possible that new regions in the future could have their own unique challenge systems, like Alola does. If we do go back to having Gyms sometime in the future, they may need to be overhauled to keep players interested in them, now that Sun and Moon have strayed from the formula.
It's hard to say whether or not this will be a permanent change for the series, though. The "Island Trials" concept is clearly very tied to Alola. We certainly won't be seeing the same exact system in any future generation. Not to mention, we see Gyms in the Pokemon world's equivalents of Japan, New York, and France - this suggests that Pokemon Leagues exist worldwide, across all kinds of regions. But I guess it's possible that new regions in the future could have their own unique challenge systems, like Alola does. If we do go back to having Gyms sometime in the future, they may need to be overhauled to keep players interested in them, now that Sun and Moon have strayed from the formula.
Iceshadow3317
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It is possible that there are still more than 4 captains. Right now only 4 have been confirmed and shown.
A lot of the map has yet to be shown, and two of the Captains are possibly on the same island.
We have 4 Captains, 4 Kahunas, and 4 Totem Pokemon.
I am thinking there has to be something beyond these. We still have the artificial island and possibly a Southern Island that is below the rest of the islands. As one Hawaiin Island is still missing and I am doubting they would use all, but 1 island.
There needs to be something greater that would require all people to be defeated. I have not read anywhere where it confirms that there is more than 1 Captain per Island though, even though I think Big Island and possibly Waterfall pool island may have 2 Captains each.
But just beating the Kahuna just feels like it is underwhelming content. Is there a group that is over the islands still? Will there be a tournament that we enter at the end of the game? There is still a lot we don't know.
A lot of the map has yet to be shown, and two of the Captains are possibly on the same island.
We have 4 Captains, 4 Kahunas, and 4 Totem Pokemon.
I am thinking there has to be something beyond these. We still have the artificial island and possibly a Southern Island that is below the rest of the islands. As one Hawaiin Island is still missing and I am doubting they would use all, but 1 island.
There needs to be something greater that would require all people to be defeated. I have not read anywhere where it confirms that there is more than 1 Captain per Island though, even though I think Big Island and possibly Waterfall pool island may have 2 Captains each.
But just beating the Kahuna just feels like it is underwhelming content. Is there a group that is over the islands still? Will there be a tournament that we enter at the end of the game? There is still a lot we don't know.
Iceshadow3317
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But where was it confirmed? I have been unable to find confirmation on anything. I can't really understand what the Japanese site says because google translate doesn't know how to translate to correct grammar and I do not recall the English site saying there was more than 4.
Originally I thought Serebi said there was only 4, but it now says there is over 4. So can someone please point me in the correct direction? It might also be because I missed it in the video. Maybe I should rewatch both.
Z25
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Interesting. I don't think it was in the trailer video itself, but it's on the site. I guess that naturally means we're to assume there will be 8 and that they'll be the equivalent of the gym leaders while the kahunas will be like the Elite Four. I hope it won't be so similar as that, but at least the captains will have different challenges.
Iceshadow3317
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That would explain why I couldn't find it. If the dang Translator translated right on google I would have seen it.
I am glad that there are more than just 4. Will have a bit more diversity that way.
With it being confirmed that there are more than 4 captains, I am going to guess 4 more captains will be Flying, Dark, Ice and Ground, would should cover the basic types of natural nature. There might be a Steel one if they are on the Artificial Island.
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All four of the ones they announced are on the same island.
The site says there are kahunas and trials on each island though.
The site says there are kahunas and trials on each island though.
Z25
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All four of the ones they announced are on the same island.
The site says there are kahunas and trials on each island though.
I didn't know that, thanks!
Then how many could be on the 1st and 4th island? Maybe even the man made island? I could see 1 or 2 on the first and 4th island. This would give us a minimal of 10 if the 3rd island has 4 as well.
I wonder if they will stick with 8 or switch it up...
Desert Stream~
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A bit disappointed at first since there looks to be no dark type gym, but as long as the battles are somewhat challenging, I'm fine with it.
clbgolden
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Seems right for the most part, but then where is the Electric-type specialist Captain (can't remember his name)?All four of the ones they announced are on the same island.
Lapis
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I'm honestly kind of excited about this. It really changes the formula game which is pretty refreshing imo.
Z25
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In another image of this I saw, someone placed him within the gray rectangle building, at the base of the volcano and east of the Grass one on the farm.
Which actually makes a lot of sense. The building fits his background and he covers the south part of the island.