News: Sun and Moon region revealed: The Alola Region

[Esper]

I'm hoping boats will serve as a means to get around for most of the game and that Surf-required routes and areas will be few and later on, or that they'll be areas only meant to be accessed in the late/post game. I mean, people in Hawaii don't normally swim to other islands. Like the Sevii islands, you didn't surf among them, you took a boat.

 

[OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire]

With the Region being so heavily water based, I'm starting to think that we may be able to swim across the waters without the use of Surf as a HM. Surf could be changed into a TM and some sort of new swimming mechanic could replace it. Soar was a step in the right direction, for me it took away the need for Fly which is one way they could do this. If the Gyms are located on separate islands, then surely that would mean we would be travelling to different islands at early stages which wouldn't be when we would have access to Surf. It would make more sense for all Water-type Pokemon to have the ability or learn how to swim, this would eliminate the need to wait until half way through the game to access Surf for water routes.

We'll probably be using boats like we did with the Sevii islands. I bet there will be strong currents. Perhaps a new HM will be made to over come them.

 

[Phyromatical]

Loving the idea. I mean tropical parts of regions are always nice, but now they are going skyrocket. Awesome graphic, nice structure of the island (as I can see from the region picture) and a tropical feeling. Feeling the hype <3

 

[Entermaid]

The best thing about this region is the fact that the overworld is set more to the ground from the perspective of the protagonist. In that way it actually feels like we will be exploring this region as if we are in the anime rather than being an overhead spectator. So far the visual lay out, detail, and immersive atmosphere are only giving me positive expectations on what is to come.

 

[OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire]

I wonder how Pokéhonolulu will be like when we're actually within it.

 

[KillerMapper]

I wonder how Pokéhonolulu will be like when we're actually within it.

The island we see in the trailer is based on the one where Honolulu is, so I guess the town we see on it is supposed to be the Honolulu equivalent. And we already have a view of it in the trailer at 1:09 (when we see the player walking in the street).

It's already a big town for the Pokémon universe, when you consider most of the towns in Pokémon games are just small villages with 2-3 houses.

To be confirmed, of course.

Also I really want to know if vehicles will have a use in this game...

 

[t3mmie]

So from the looks of it (the name, the area) the region is based around Hawaii almost definitely. How do you feel about this? Would've you preferred Spain (as people predicted?) Do you like the name? What do you think we can expect in this region knowing it's most likely like, 99% based on Hawaii now?

I love that it is based off Hawaii. I've always wanted a purely tropical region!

 

[TCB]

Getting Hoenn vibes, but seeing where the inspiration for Alola is its not surprising. Yeah the way the camera is positioned gives the perspective of this world a much fresher vibe, one of exploration that wasn't really there in previous two generations with the top down view. Funny how a shift in perspective can open up your eyes so much more in a series like Pokemon but there you go.

Seeing how the main island of the adventure is set on Honolulu and the source behind this new region there may be more of a focus on exploration this time around. I just know that's not the whole region we saw in the trailer. Since Hawaii's geography includes many different islands I hope we get an island hopping adventure this time around. From that concept art of vehicles (one of which we saw in the trailer) here's hoping travel across the water routes (eat your heart out IGN) isn't just restricted to the near consensus of being ever-so-outdated-HMs system.

 

[OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire]

I knew that was Honolulu, but missed the bottom picture. Looks nice, especially the beach.

The island we see in the trailer is based on the one where Honolulu is, so I guess the town we see on it is supposed to be the Honolulu equivalent. And we already have a view of it in the trailer at 1:09 (when we see the player walking in the street).

It's already a big town for the Pokémon universe, when you consider most of the towns in Pokémon games are just small villages with 2-3 houses.

To be confirmed, of course.

Also I really want to know if vehicles will have a use in this game...

 

[MarinoKadame]

One thing that is odd in the Japanese trailer is that the Japanese boy clearly has a Japanese New 3DS playing Pokemon Green and later he get to play an US Pokemon game from an Hawaii game store. Did he bought another New 3DS just for the game or the game is region free ?

 

[Hikamaru]

One thing that is odd in the Japanese trailer is that the Japanese boy clearly has a Japanese New 3DS playing Pokemon Green and later he get to play an US Pokemon game from an Hawaii game store. Did he bought another New 3DS just for the game or the game is region free ?

3DS is a region-locked system so that's probably unlikely.

 

[She_Delphox]

I really like the setting of the new Alola region! It's really something else to play in a tropical region for once ^_^ Looking forward to it! Also, I secretly hope that we are able to travel to Kalos (by train?) as well, for example to catch all ''Zygarde formes'' there possibly and catch new Pokemon after completing the main story (like Generation 2). Wouldn't it be awesome if multiple regions would make a comeback, this would be the right time imo. :)

 

[PkmnTrainerElio]

For all you snow fans, don't worry! Hawaii DOES get snow, so we might be able to trudge through snow.

 

[MarinoKadame]

I could see coral reefs surrounding the region.

 

[Mark Kamill]

The first island is insanely dense and organic looking, holy crap. Really hope the rest of the islands lpok this good, cause by the time we get to the 8th gym there will likely be so mamy places to explore.

 

[blue]

I'd love to see different islands with different environments. Sure it's quite far fetched, but a snowy island, rocky island, tropical island and so on would be a great variety. Each island could also have a specialised Gym type that represents the environment it is located on.

 

[MarinoKadame]

I could see the fire gym being on an island with an active volcano constantly producing lava going into the ocean.

 

[Z25]

One thing that is odd in the Japanese trailer is that the Japanese boy clearly has a Japanese New 3DS playing Pokemon Green and later he get to play an US Pokemon game from an Hawaii game store. Did he bought another New 3DS just for the game or the game is region free ?

He actually has a Japanese version. The other boy who is based on the rival and named hoku had the English version and shows him it.


Also calling it now, helicopters are a main source of travel. As this is a big attraction and travel method in Hawaii.

 

[Teddy Squirts]

The world looks so huge in these games! It makes me wonder how much is really going to be in these. I bet the Pokemon Company is going to push the 3DS capabilities as much as they can.

 

[OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire]

The snowy area will likely be on the big island, having the tallest peak out of them.