Story by Carlos Hernandez, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Pexels

As 2016 draws to a close, we also say goodbye to another year of Pokemon. It has been a fun experience keeping track of the events of this year, and I will be at a loss to see what I will be able to follow next year. That being said, this last installment of the 20th anniversary will be packed, to say the least. I will discuss Sun and Moon and what is coming later this month.

First, let us welcome our final Legendary of the Month, Meloetta. This generation 5 Normal/Psychic type was one of the great mysteries of Unova, many players just are not receiving it. Like Shaymin, it has the ability to switch types by changing its from, becoming a Normal/Fighting type. The move Relic Song is needed for this to happen. This Pokemon is available via download until Dec. 24.

Also available for download is Arceus (only those who missed the Arceus event will be able to partake in this event) and Munchlax for Sun and Moon. Arceus requires the following code: ARCEUS20. For those who have not used their Gamestop card codes yet, it is not too late. Those cards have an expiration date in 2017, so get them while you can.

For Pokemon GO!, a big update has arrived this month. Niantic made an announcement on the Dec. 12. Rumor has it that the update will include anything from trading and battling to the inclusion of legendary and Johto Pokemon. While it has been more or less confirmed, Johto is coming very soon; the other features are still in speculation.

This brings us to the event (besides GO!) that every Pokemon fan has been anticipating—Sun and Moon. (SPOILERS ARE IMMINENT!) For those who don’t know, Sun and Moon are the seventh generation versions of the Pokemon universe, introducing nearly 100 new Pokemon, as well as a whole slew of innovative changes to the franchise. How are they? Personally, I love these games, and, in fact, Alola is now my second favorite region in the Pokeverse. The changes were a fun change of pace and the characters were fun to follow. This game introduces Alola forms of Generation 1 Pokemon, which have received mixed reactions from fans, but I personally don’t mind. I am fairly amused by Executor’s new “Coconut Tree” Dragon form, and I have to admit fire-twirler Marowak is freaking cool.

I was worried about the removal of Gym leaders to be replaced with Captains and Kahunas, but thankfully the game evens it out by introducing gym-like trials that serve as puzzles for the trainer to overcome, where at the end is a Totem Pokemon and eventually a battle with the captain that matches the type. Once all captains are defeated, you face an island Kahuna, who is the “gym leader” of the island. My favorite is Nanu, the Dark-type kahuna of island three. He has such a cynical and unfazed attitude towards his environment it is hilarious to watch him. His backstory is just too perfect.

Also coming to this region are the Ultra-Beasts, whom I found to be very unsettling. There is something about alien creatures from a parallel dimension mixed with eerie designs and spooky battle music. I could go on about this game, but everything else is just worth experiencing. I highly recommend this game if for no other reason than to see what the new changes are about.

Oh, and…viva team grass!

About the writer…

Carlos “Eddie” Hernandez is a fifth-year student at Aquinas and has been writing for the newspaper for a year and a half. He is an Acting and Music Major and is also a member of AQPB. His hobbies include ponies and Pokèmon. Other hobbies include eating and sleeping.