Pokémon Ultra Sun: Was It Needed?
When Nintendo and Game Freak announced Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon in 2017 lots of fans got excited. Also confused. All, Pokémon Sun and Moon had come out just one year before. Unlike before when there were sequels like Black 2 and White 2 Ultra Sun* and Ultra Moon seemed like updated versions of games people had already played. This makes us wonder: Was Pokémon Ultra Sun really needed?
The Case Against Ultra Sun
The problem with Ultra Sun is that it feels really familiar. The game has the same story as Sun and Moon uses the same place and goes back to most of the same spots. For players who had already spent a lot of time playing the games it could feel like they were doing the same thing again.
Many fans wanted a sequel that would show what happened in Alola after *Sun and Moon*. Instead they got a version with some changes and more things to do. Some thought it should have been something you could download or a big addition, not a game.
The timing wasn't great either. The Nintendo Switch had just come out. Lots of players were waiting for a brand new Pokémon game on the new system. Releasing another updated 3DS game seemed like a step
The Case For Ultra Sun
with these problems *Ultra Sun* had a lot more changes than people thought. The game added more to Alolas story with the Ultra Recon Squad and focused more on the Ultra Beasts and the legendary Pokémon Necrozma.
The game also had a lot of stuff:
- More Pokémon that weren't in the games.
- More side. Games.
- New. Story encounters.
- The Ultra Warp Ride feature.
- Harder. Tougher bosses.
- The Team Rainbow Rocket story after you finish the game.
For players who compete the games also had a complete package, with new strategies, Pokémon and features that kept the game fresh.
A Better Version of Alola
One thing about Ultra Sun is that it's the best version of Alola. The original Sun and Moon started it while Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon made parts of the game better and added more content.
For people who never played the games *Ultra Sun* was probably the better choice. It had everything from *Sun and Moon* and added new features and story parts.
The Verdict
Was Pokémon Ultra Sun needed?
The answer depends on who you ask.
For players who had already finished Sun and Moon the game often felt too similar to buy. The lack of a sequel was disappointing for fans who wanted to see Alola change.
However for players and Pokémon fans Ultra Sun gave a richer version of the Alola adventure. It added more to the story had things to do after you finish the game and offered one of the best Pokémon experiences, on the Nintendo 3DS.
In the end Pokémon Ultra Sun wasn't really necessary. It became the best version of Generation VII. Whether that was enough depends on how players valued getting better over getting something new.