If you're planning on returning to playing some Pokémon after a long absence, you might want to know that the latest iteration Pokémon game is a far better, kinder, gentler monster-battling game. This simply means that it completely changed the way Pokémon is played during the earlier years.

More focus on Sun and Moon

Thanks to the massive success of the popular mobile game Pokémon GO, there has been a lot more attention focused on Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, currently the latest installments in the long-running series of RPG's that released this week for the Nintendo 3DS system. With that addition of new players, as well as some returning ones, brings forth a challenge: Trying to keep the people who grew up with this 20-year-old series satisfied while still aiming it at the younger generation and less-experienced Pokémon trainers.

Pokémon through the years

Obviously not an easy task to begin with. Pokémon is, in its natural state, about capturing and training mystical creatures that harness elemental powers. You closely and carefully choose a team of your favorites, then set out to conquer the world by letting your monsters fight others' until one side gets knocked out. That process involves a lot of strategy and planning, where you must come up with a group of Pokémon that can handle any challenge. After roughly two decades and a dozen of games, there are now more than 800 different kinds to keep track of, each with an array of stats, skills, attacks, and other traits for you to make them learn.

For players migrating from GO

For players who are transferring from playing the much simpler Pokémon Go app, this could surely be an overwhelming experience. The main series of Gameboy and Nintendo DS Pokémon games could always be summed up in a form of simulator-based cockfighting, but Sun and Moon will try to change that aggressive past by incorporating friendship into the gameplay. The result will be a gentler entry point for the series than we've seen ever since its conception.

Sun and Moon will have a concept based on the TV Show

While the popular Pokémon TV shows are always focused on the "buddy" relationships between protagonist Ash and his Pokémon friends, that concept rarely came through in the player input of every Pokémon games, in which your group of Pokémon was just a ruthlessly efficient arsenal. Instead of focusing solely on training captured creatures on how to fight, Sun and Moon will also aim towards helping you build a relationship with them, shifting your role from expert trainer to caring caregiver.

Sun and Moon will innovate the entire concept of Pokémon gaming

Sun and Moon will be the first to innovate and change the overall concept of the well-loved Pokémon game. It will be keeping the core gameplay of battling and trading magical monsters, and at the same time connecting ideas that were crucial to the television show and to the idea of Pokémon in general. Helping and asking for help, working together, and loving everyone, regardless of their origin, is a lesson that we can completely forget at times. But Pokémon Sun and Moon will be reminding us about these core values once again.