Pokemon Ultra Moon

 3DS
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 55
  3. Negative: 0 out of 55
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  1. GamingTrend
    Nov 27, 2017
    70
    Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon aren't bad games, but they are victims of their own hype, which they fail to to live up to. While the plot has changed, these alterations are minor, thrown together, and ultimately do harm to the experience. Despite the addition of two new mini games, a few new features, and a different post-game, they are simply not as enjoyable as their Sun and Moon predecessors.
  2. Digitally Downloaded
    Nov 24, 2017
    70
    Releasing another version of this game doesn’t feel like it adds anything to the Pokemon franchise as a whole, and just makes me want a new Pokemon game on my Switch all the more. It’s still a very, very fine game, but as a product release, this one is quite disappointing from Nintendo.
  3. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Nov 16, 2017
    70
    Overall, the game definitely feels like a re-run. While the integration of the world has improved, the storyline has been lackluster at best. Compared to Pokémon X and Y which introduced 3D models and multi-dimensional terrain, Pokémon Ultra Moon feels like a re-mastered version of your typical 7/10 cookie-cutter game. It’s pretty much just like the extra Poké beans you get when you buy a Pinap Juice at the Pokémon Café. Don’t over-hype the game, and you’ll enjoy it just fine.
  5. The Daily Dot
    Nov 15, 2017
    70
    Ultra Sun and Moon‘s new features are great, but nothing groundbreaking.
  6. App Trigger
    Nov 28, 2017
    65
    Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are fine games by virtue of being Pokemon games. They have the same fun battling and collecting mechanics you’d expect and offer an opportunity to re-explore the gorgeous and lore-rich Alola region. But their butchered retelling of Sun and Moon’s story and the addition of the obnoxious RotomDex should once again have you questioning why you would pay full price for almost the same game a year later.
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  1. Ars Technica
    Nov 15, 2017
    Anyone who skipped Sun and Moon has no excuse not to buy their Ultra successors. Returning players should know they're in for a slow start but should consider buying the new games anyway.
  2. Eurogamer
    Nov 17, 2017
    Pokémon returns for a 3DS victory lap in this generous, definitive retelling of the Alolan story. [Recommended]
  3. VG247
    Nov 16, 2017
    These games include a stupidly large amount of content and Sun and Moon remain the most compelling, charming and interesting world Pokemon has presented since it was brand new back in the the 90s. For its audience, this enhanced edition is well worth the price of admission, though I’d be lying if I said my eyes weren’t firmly towards the future when Pokemon arrives on the big screen via Switch.

Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best 3DS Game of 2017
3
#3 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2017
8
#8 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 829 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 584 out of 829
  2. Mixed: 90 out of 829
  3. Negative: 155 out of 829
  1. Daven_Seaworthy
    Mar 4, 2018
    10
    Better dex distribution, new surprise ending, multiple new Pokemon, new moves, different beginning, all nonevent legendaries, new tracksBetter dex distribution, new surprise ending, multiple new Pokemon, new moves, different beginning, all nonevent legendaries, new tracks complements previous GREAT ones, o-powers back with new name, a HUGE postgame surprise in some surprising characters and the strongest "final boss" ever in the series (and I'm talking about the story, not the champion, but that is a surprise too) Moon was good but Ultra Moon manages more in every way.… Full Review »
  2. IAmNotARobotto
    Nov 17, 2017
    9
    The Awesome
    -Totem Stickers. The most fun and entertaining exploration element in any Pokémon game to date. Fun to look for these even if    The Awesome
    -Totem Stickers. The most fun and entertaining exploration element in any Pokémon game to date. Fun to look for these even if there was no reward, but there is a pretty cool reward for every certain number of stickers. Probably the most fun I’ve had in the overworld of any Pokémon game ever.
    -Team Rainbow Rocket. For anyone who takes interest in the bad guys of the main games over the past 21 years.
    -Parallel universe ultra recon squad giving story elements and designs new to the series.
    -Best trainer placement of any Pokémon game to date by far. The karate guys on champion road, the golfer at hokulani, lotta laughs.
    -All legendary Pokémon. Probably the biggest sales point for fans of the series.
    -Charmander and all the other starters also available to catch so it’s pretty cool for old people with nostalgia. Same was with Rainbow Rocket.
    -Background Pokemon. Much like the trainer placement, the sense to have a Pokémon walk by the window outside or come down a chimney etc is superb. No value to find other than the satisfaction of seeing some neat Pokémon walking around. The rare chimney one was funny too.

    The Pretty Good
    -A ton of new sub events. Some of these are awesome, some not. Ditto becoming human being official stuff in the games was awesome etc.
    -The photo club was a lot more fun than I expected. Still don’t think there’s enough reason to spend a lot of time ther but it’s neat.
    -Surfing is also surprisingly a pretty fun mini game. But also not something I feel the urge to do too many times.

    The Not So Good
    -Main flow of game is pretty much the same as Sun and Moon, even though much of the story is different.
    -Some new backgrounds are pretty bland areas with some exceptions as well.
    -Some things in the game are jokes that will go over the majority of everyone’s head most likely. The new gym for example.
    -Nothing groundbreakingly innovative. But this can be said regarding almost all Pokémon games since the original. They stick by the if it’s not broke don’t fix it mind set, which does have its benefits.    … Full Review »
  3. NeoCortexTrophy
    Nov 17, 2017
    10
    Building up and developing further into what Sun and Moon helped create, this game takes all the freshness and innovations of the originalsBuilding up and developing further into what Sun and Moon helped create, this game takes all the freshness and innovations of the originals and expands it further into an even better experience than before, between multiple side features, bigger post-game and even being the first mid-generation game to introduce all new Pokemon to be collected and trained by players, it's a worthy sendoff to the 3ds generation of games.… Full Review »
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