Pokemon Sun/Moon Dev Talks New Alola Forms
Pokemon Sun/Moon has been a major hit all the way around. But it also changed up the formula of the games in many ways. One of those big ways was with the Alola Forms. Which were classic Pokemon like Meowth, Vulpix, Sandshrew, and more, but with a new look based on the new climates in Alola. In an interview with Meristation, Junichi Masuda of Game Freak talked about where the ideas for the new Alola Forms came from. Mainly, it was a nod to the gamers who have been with the game since Gen I:
“In this case, the references are a nod to players who’ve been following the games since Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue. For example, regional forms were meant to surprise players who were already familiar with these old Pokemon; Exeggutor is a good example, that in one island he appears with a long neck. In the future, if we find reason to do this again, we absolutely will, it’s something really interesting that has been really well received.”
Also though, he talked about the island format of the Alola region, and why they did that:
“We wanted to explore nature, we wanted a close relationship between humans and Pokemon. That’s why we thought of Hawaii, because they have a very natural relationship between humans and nature there, they coexist really closely.
The reason why we did 4 islands as opposed to one single landmass was because we wanted to create the feeling of a new adventure with each island, new encounters; with each island there would be new challenges and new ways to experience the Pokemon adventure. To feel something new inside, and to renew oneself within the adventure itself.”