Pokémon Showdown: Ultra Sun vs. Sun – Which Alola Adventure Reigns Supreme?
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The age-old question: Which Pokémon game reigns supreme? When it comes to the Alola region, the choice boils down to Pokémon Ultra Sun or Pokémon Sun. The definitive answer is: Ultra Sun is the superior choice. While Pokémon Sun offered a fresh and exciting adventure, Ultra Sun builds upon that foundation, delivering a more complete and refined experience. It boasts a richer post-game, a broader selection of Pokémon, quality-of-life improvements, and an expanded storyline that, while arguably less impactful emotionally, provides more content overall. So, if you are choosing between the two games, get Ultra Sun.
Why Ultra Sun Takes the Crown
Ultra Sun is the definitive Alola experience due to a multitude of factors:
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Expanded Content: Ultra Sun offers significantly more to do than Sun. The Mantine Surf minigame provides a fun way to earn Battle Points (BP). Accessing Ultra Wormholes unlocks a wider range of Legendary Pokémon and Ultra Beasts, including the opportunity to obtain Shiny Ultra Beasts exclusive to Ultra Sun/Moon.
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Wider Pokémon Roster: Ultra Sun features a larger selection of Pokémon available to catch throughout the game, including Pokémon that didn’t appear in Sun and Moon. This expanded roster allows for greater team customization and strategic depth.
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Improved Gameplay: While the core mechanics remain the same, Ultra Sun includes various gameplay improvements, such as earlier access to Mt. Lanakila, making the endgame experience more streamlined. The game is also slightly more challenging, offering a more engaging experience for veteran players.
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The Ultra Recon Squad: While the narrative changes in Ultra Sun are debated by fans, the introduction of the Ultra Recon Squad adds a new dimension to the story. This addition may not resonate as deeply as the original narrative of Sun and Moon, but it offers a different perspective and contributes to the overall experience.
Addressing the Storyline Controversy
One of the main criticisms against Ultra Sun is that its altered storyline, particularly concerning Lusamine, is not as impactful or well-executed as in Sun. While this point is valid, the enhanced gameplay, wider Pokémon selection, and overall content outweigh this drawback for most players. Those who prioritize story above all else might find Sun more appealing, but for a more comprehensive and enjoyable Pokémon adventure, Ultra Sun is the clear winner.
Is Ultra Sun the Hardest Pokémon Game?
According to the source article, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are considered to be among the hardest main-series Pokémon games to Nuzlocke. This is largely due to the presence of challenging Totem Pokémon battles with stat boosts, trainers with perfectly trained Pokémon, and the formidable Ultra Necrozma encounter. However, whether Ultra Sun is the absolute hardest is subjective and depends on individual playstyles and strategies.
Mastering Ultra Necrozma: A Cheese Strategy
The Ultra Necrozma fight is notorious for its difficulty. The article mentions a strategy to “cheese” the fight, making it significantly easier. While the specifics aren’t provided, this often involves using strategies like:
- Status conditions: Paralyzing or burning Ultra Necrozma can significantly reduce its effectiveness.
- Type matchups: Exploiting Ultra Necrozma’s weaknesses with strong super-effective moves.
- Held items: Using items like Focus Sash to survive a hit and retaliate.
- Z-Moves: As mentioned in the article, leveraging your own Z-Moves at crucial moments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Ultra Sun the same as Sun?
No, while the core gameplay and graphics are similar, Ultra Sun is not the same as Sun. It features an alternate storyline, new characters (the Ultra Recon Squad), an expanded Pokémon roster, new areas, and various gameplay enhancements.
2. Is Ultra Sun harder than Sun?
Yes, Ultra Sun is generally considered slightly harder than Sun. The Totem Pokémon battles are more challenging, and the overall trainer difficulty is increased.
3. Should I play Sun and Moon before Ultra Sun?
While it’s not necessary to play Sun and Moon before Ultra Sun, doing so can provide context and appreciation for the story changes and additions. However, Ultra Sun is designed to be enjoyable as a standalone experience. As stated in the article, the plot of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is an alternate retelling of the plot of Sun and Moon. It is not a sequel like Black 2 and White 2 were to Black and White, so it can be fully enjoyed without having any knowledge of Sun and Moon.
4. Can Sun trade with Ultra Sun?
Yes, Sun can trade with Ultra Sun. However, certain Pokémon introduced in Ultra Sun (like some Ultra Beasts and Totem Pokémon) cannot be traded back to Sun.
5. Does Ultra Sun have Ultra Beasts?
Yes, Ultra Sun has Ultra Beasts. Most are obtained through exploring Ultra Wormholes, while some (like Blacephalon, Stakataka, and Poipole) are obtained through specific in-game events.
6. Should I get Ultra Sun if I have Sun?
If you enjoyed Sun, Ultra Sun is highly recommended. It offers a richer experience with more content, gameplay improvements, and an expanded Pokémon roster. Even though the main story will be similar, there is enough different content to provide another fulfilling playthrough.
7. Which Pokémon game is the hardest?
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are considered among the most challenging games in the main series, particularly for Nuzlocke challenges.
8. What are the key differences between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon?
The main differences between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the in-game time (Ultra Sun runs in real time, while Ultra Moon is shifted by 12 hours), exclusive Pokémon, and certain story events.
9. Is Ultra Sun a sequel or remake?
Ultra Sun is neither a direct sequel nor a remake. It’s an “alternate telling” of the events in Sun and Moon, offering a different perspective and expanded content.
10. How long does it take to beat Ultra Sun?
Completing the main story of Ultra Sun takes around 33 hours. Achieving 100% completion can take upwards of 129 hours.
11. Which starter Pokémon is the best in Sun and Moon?
While subjective, Litten (and its evolutions, Torracat and Incineroar) is often considered the best starter Pokémon in Sun and Moon due to its strong offensive capabilities and favorable type matchups.
12. Which sold more: Pokémon Sun or Moon?
According to the article, Pokémon Sun outsold Pokémon Moon in Japan.
13. What is the weakest Pokémon?
Shedinja is often considered the weakest Pokémon due to its incredibly low HP (only 1), despite having a high attack stat.
14. Can I skip Pokémon Sun and Moon and go straight to Ultra Sun?
Yes, you can skip Sun and Moon and play Ultra Sun. While some references may be missed, Ultra Sun is a complete experience in itself.
15. Is USUM (Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon) better than Sun and Moon?
Gameplay wise, USUM is much better with lots of improvements such as early access to Mt. Lanakila, etc. But story wise, it pales to the original.
Final Verdict
While the debate over the storyline persists, the overall package of Pokémon Ultra Sun makes it the superior choice for anyone looking to experience the Alola region. Its expanded content, wider Pokémon roster, and gameplay improvements provide a richer and more engaging adventure than its predecessor. So, dive into the Ultra Wormholes, surf those Mantine waves, and embark on an unforgettable Pokémon journey!
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