7 new and old Pokemon we met when we played Pokemon Sun and Moon

We played Pokemon Sun and Moon last week.

Over the course of a couple hours, as we started our adventure and finished our first trial, we saw, battled, and caught all manner of 'mons.

Here are some highlights - and what they reveal about the world and ideas in this new critter catching RPG.

There are plenty of ways that Sun and Moon have changed the Pokemon formula - but we still start the game by picking between a grass, fire, or water Pokemon.

I went with Popplio, out of pity more than anything. When the new starters were announced everyone called Popplio a red-nosed bozo. A dumb ocean clown. A failure.

I wanted to show them that they were wrong. That this beautiful sea creature could rise up, evolve into a giant walrus or whatever, and just murder every other monster in the Alola region. This is my plan.

Also of note: my opponent picked Litten which was a total rookie move. I put that cat out like a candle. Splash. One water gun and that kitty's toast.

Every Pokemon game needs a bird. We had Pidgey and Spearow, Natu and Hoot Hoot, Taillow, Starly, Pidove, and Fletchling. Sun and Moon have a woodpecker, called Pikipek.

This is one of the first Pokemon I found. It was on Route 1 and I thought, hey, I need some more team members than just Popplio. So I caught it. I'd probably have ditched it soon enough.

One of the things that's fun about Sun and Moon is that critters from the older games show up, but with new forms and styles that fit the Alolan environment.

For Meowth, the species grew up pampered and spoiled by Alolan royalty, giving them a selfish and prideful attitude that just screams "don't touch my perfect fur you disgusting insect".

Now, after the royalty was destroyed, the critters have gone feral and they skitter about like normal, peasant Pokemon. Delicious. Eat the rich, I say.

I found Alolan Meowths, which are now dark types for some reason, at a school in town where I learnt about Pokemon and had to find and defeat a number of trainers to move on.

One of the biggest changes in Sun and Moon is the removal of the gyms. Instead, you'll go on "trials" where you have to perform activities and then take on a boss-like Totem Pokemon.

In the trial I did, I had to fight a giant Gumshoos. He was mean, powerful, and had the ability to call on Yungoos (the critters' previous evolution) as backup to distract me.

Don't worry, I beat that Donald Trump-lookin' ferret-ass thing into the ground.

Pokemon Sun and Moon isn't just new Pokemon, or old ones in Alolan forms. Sometimes you'll just cross across an old favourite. Like a Metapod!

I caught that Pokemon, nurtured it like a tiny metal-plated baby, and let it evolve into Butterfree. Some things just can't be improved upon.

Here's another oldie-but-a-goodie. This Zubat was owned by a Team Skull grunt. This is the Alolan version of Team Rocket, Aqua, Magma, Galactic, Plasma, and Flare.

What? Pokemon games just like having teams of comically evil grunts and super villians who want to end the world or eat Slowpoke tails or whatever.

Anyway, the evil chaps and chapettes in this game have a super cool design. With their cargo shorts, hi-top trainers, vests, and bandanas, they look like totally '90s baddies. I love them.

And I love beating them in battle.

Game developers often have to use "gating" to stop you going somewhere you shouldn't. Think broken bridges, locked doors, giant bodies of water, and - as a last resort - invisible walls.

But as gating goes, you can't really beat an angry Tauros. Woah there kid, can't go down that road until you finish the tutorial or that bull will eff you up.