Alola Region Discussion Thread

[gliscor&yanmega]

Well, if we're splitting hairs, Hawaii was its own country up until 1960. It's no longer one though, which I'm guessing is what you mean.

Kalos is half a country though.



If I recall correctly, Kauai is the least populated of the major islands, though it does have a good number of settlements and cities. Oddly, Seafolk Village doesn't correspond geographically with Kauai's largest city. That'd be roughly where Poni Breaker Coast or the Ruins of Hope are.

I said entire country regardless so neither Kalos or Alola ended up using an entire country.

I imagine they wanted to focus more on interesting points of interest so decided against using whatever cities there. Not sure if Seafolk relates to Kauai in anyway either so they might have thrown that in and placed it wherever they thought was good.

 

[Adrexus]

There are couple youtube videos floating around right now with the titles "what if Greece/Western United States/UK was a pokemon region?" or something along those lines. I very much like the idea of Greece because you could have a town or area with old Greek ruins and one town with Ottoman influence and another town based on Macedonia considering the Greek influence there. Also just think of what they could do with Greek mythology and tying it in with the legendary Pokemon. Since Greece is close to the Middle East, you could have some influence from there as well. I'm thinking Lebanon and Israel specifically.

Also, if we get a region based off of California, I wouldn't want it to be based just on Southern California, mainly since I live in Northern California and because I think it would be lacking. Also I think a redwood forest could make a good area of exploration for the northern part of the region. Plus the San Francisco Bay Area would make a great area to explore too. The Sierra Nevada mountain range could be the snowy section of the region and the central valley a desert/plains type of area.

 

[Ophie]

I said entire country regardless so neither Kalos or Alola ended up using an entire country.

I imagine they wanted to focus more on interesting points of interest so decided against using whatever cities there. Not sure if Seafolk relates to Kauai in anyway either so they might have thrown that in and placed it wherever they thought was good.

Yeah, and I mentioned that Hawaii used to be its own country until 1960, so technically, Alola would've been based off an entire country 54 years ago or earlier.

Poni Island is the basis for Kauai, not Seafolk Village. I don't know what city Seafolk Village is based on, if anything. But the islands of Alola do geographically line up pretty well with the islands of Hawaii, with Melemele Island corresponding to Oahu (and Hau'oli City matching up with Honolulu), Akala Island corresponding to Maui, and Ula'ula Island corresponding to the Big Island. The numbered routes on the first three Alolan islands also line up with major highways for each island (except Route 16). For instance, Route 1 follows the path of Interstate H2. Some of Alola's major attractions are also found in analogous places as Hawaii, like Hokulani Observatory being where the Keck Observastory would be. (Mt. Hokulani itself is also based on Mauna Kea.)

Ever since the Pokémon games left Japan, Game Freak has done their research, and it shows. I think what they want to do is be accurate to the point where the locals of whatever region they base a game off of would feel flattered and proud. It's this sort of accuracy I love--it's why I appreciate, for instance, Fallout: New Vegas using the tiny nearby Nevada towns like Nipton and Goodsprings, and they even have a counterpart to Buffalo Bill's Casino way out along the Interstate 15 alongside its roller coaster. It shows these people have been there and at least took good notes.

Also, if we get a region based off of California, I wouldn't want it to be based just on Southern California, mainly since I live in Northern California and because I think it would be lacking. Also I think a redwood forest could make a good area of exploration for the northern part of the region. Plus the San Francisco Bay Area would make a great area to explore too. The Sierra Nevada mountain range could be the snowy section of the region and the central valley a desert/plains type of area.

Heh, the southern California and northern California rivalry, huh? I've lived in both halves. Ideally, they'd do the whole state (like what they did with GTA San Andreas. But I would say southern California by itself would not be lacking. A bit high in urban areas (though so is Kanto), but it does have stuff like the lower parts of the San Joaquin Valley, the Mojave Desert, Hollywood, Burbank, Long Beach, San Diego, Santa Ana, Irvine, Anaheim and its theme parks, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Edwards Air Force Base, Victorville, Redlands, Barstow, the Santa Clarita Valley (which also has theme parks, like Magic Mountain), the Santa Anita racetrack and its corresponding HUGE mall, the Irwindale Speedway, San Dimas, City of Industry, the Griffith and Mt. Wilson Observatories, Carpinteria (and its giant Santa Claus on Santa Claus Lane), the lemon groves of Santa Paula, Santa Maria and its barbecue scene, the Cajon Pass, Big Bear and Big Bear Lake as the snowy areas, and (if they can bring back Game Corners, whcih I don't think they can) the Morongo and San Manuel casinos.

Doing all of California would require Game Freak to select and exclude certain things or have it be more than one region. While it'd be a scale too big for even a Pokémon game, it'd be neat for southern California to be featured for one part of a generation and northern California for another part.

 

[gliscor&yanmega]

Yeah, and I mentioned that Hawaii used to be its own country until 1960, so technically, Alola would've been based off an entire country 54 years ago or earlier.

Poni Island is the basis for Kauai, not Seafolk Village. I don't know what city Seafolk Village is based on, if anything. But the islands of Alola do geographically line up pretty well with the islands of Hawaii, with Melemele Island corresponding to Oahu (and Hau'oli City matching up with Honolulu), Akala Island corresponding to Maui, and Ula'ula Island corresponding to the Big Island. The numbered routes on the first three Alolan islands also line up with major highways for each island (except Route 16). For instance, Route 1 follows the path of Interstate H2. Some of Alola's major attractions are also found in analogous places as Hawaii, like Hokulani Observatory being where the Keck Observastory would be. (Mt. Hokulani itself is also based on Mauna Kea.)

Ever since the Pokémon games left Japan, Game Freak has done their research, and it shows. I think what they want to do is be accurate to the point where the locals of whatever region they base a game off of would feel flattered and proud. It's this sort of accuracy I love--it's why I appreciate, for instance, Fallout: New Vegas using the tiny nearby Nevada towns like Nipton and Goodsprings, and they even have a counterpart to Buffalo Bill's Casino way out along the Interstate 15 alongside its roller coaster. It shows these people have been there and at least took good notes.

Not all of Hawaii was used. And regardless when it was a country it isn't any more. My entire point was Canada is to big to use entirely.

I am aware what each island is based on. My point was they might have just threw Seafolk in there and focused on other points of interests from Kauai and decided to make things more wild. Pretty sure Akala ended up being rotated compared to where Maui would be, same could be the case for Poni, otherwise they might have just decided they liked things better in a different. Personally don't care too much for the placement.

 

[Orphalesion]

Yeah, and I mentioned that Hawaii used to be its own country until 1960, so technically, Alola would've been based off an entire country 54 years ago or earlier.

Hawaii became an organized, incorporated territory in 1898. That's not what "it's own country" is. Regardless of that, Alola lacks several places that the Kingdom of Hawaii considered part of its territory, such as the Palmyra Atoll.

 

[Ophie]

Hawaii became an organized, incorporated territory in 1898. That's not what "it's own country" is. Regardless of that, Alola lacks several places that the Kingdom of Hawaii considered part of its territory, such as the Palmyra Atoll.

Heh, thanks for the clarification. I guess that's one of the other gross simplifications I was taught in school, that Hawaii was its own country, then the United States took it over and immediately made it a state.

Not all of Hawaii was used. And regardless when it was a country it isn't any more. My entire point was Canada is to big to use entirely.

I am aware what each island is based on. My point was they might have just threw Seafolk in there and focused on other points of interests from Kauai and decided to make things more wild. Pretty sure Akala ended up being rotated compared to where Maui would be, same could be the case for Poni, otherwise they might have just decided they liked things better in a different. Personally don't care too much for the placement.

Yeah, I admit I went too far into my own tangent. I would agree Canada's too big to use in one region. More likely they would use a province, or only the most populated part of the province. It would need a coastline though. A Pokémon game doesn't really feel right if the whole thing is landlocked. (Well, except for Orre, but it had no real map--just a bunch of desert with a few points of interest.)

 

[Dragalge]

In regards to the Battle Tree, I kind of wish we didn't have to wait another day in order to claim our prizes for our winning streak. It would have been better to get them immediately right after we lost rather then waiting for some amount of time in my opinion.

 

[Endless]

Please stay on topic, this thread is for discussion of Alola, not for discussing how much you like or dislike real countries.

 

[Bolt the Cat]

Alola is probably the first region in a while that I have no idea what else they could possibly do with, and certainly not a BW2 style expansion. The islands are all packed to the brim with areas and there isn't really room for any more, and nothing big enough to accommodate extra routes, extra gyms/trials, etc. And I can't see them just adding more islands, the 4 island motif is pretty ingrained in Alola's culture and adding more islands would just ruin that. I'm not sure we should expect much from any possible return to Alola, it's seems like a pretty complete region at this point. Unlike a certain France based region I know.

 

[Ophie]

Alola is probably the first region in a while that I have no idea what else they could possibly do with, and certainly not a BW2 style expansion. The islands are all packed to the brim with areas and there isn't really room for any more, and nothing big enough to accommodate extra routes, extra gyms/trials, etc. And I can't see them just adding more islands, the 4 island motif is pretty ingrained in Alola's culture and adding more islands would just ruin that. I'm not sure we should expect much from any possible return to Alola, it's seems like a pretty complete region at this point. Unlike a certain France based region I know.

Well, there's Jurassic Park on Akala Island. There are also regions present but barely explored like Haina Desert, Blush Mountain, Mount Lanakila, and Poni Breaker Coast.

 

[VampirateMace]

The could also open up water routes between the islands (as much as the haters of Gen 3 would love that), or make you able to travel to other islands that are not considered part of Aloha (and you are already able to do that with one island).

 

[Bolt the Cat]

Well, there's Jurassic Park on Akala Island. There are also regions present but barely explored like Haina Desert, Blush Mountain, Mount Lanakila, and Poni Breaker Coast.

Even then though, that'd be like Emerald at best, a couple of areas expanded but no really major changes. After a game like BW2 where we've had a large expansion to the region with entire new cities and routes that wouldn't really be that interesting.

 

[Bguy7]

Even then though, that'd be like Emerald at best, a couple of areas expanded but no really major changes. After a game like BW2 where we've had a large expansion to the region with entire new cities and routes that wouldn't really be that interesting.

They could just make a new island that's just off the map from what we see in Sun and Moon.

 

[Sceptile Leaf Blade]

Even with the sea in between they could do a lot I think, especially if they bring diving back from Hoenn, perhaps by introducing a new ride pokémon like Lanturn that could dive underwater.

 

[Bolt the Cat]

They could just make a new island that's just off the map from what we see in Sun and Moon.

Well like I said, the 4 island system is a big part of Alola's culture. The 4 islands are connected to the Tapus, the Island Challenge, and Battle Royale. Adding a new island would just conflict with that identity.

Even with the sea in between they could do a lot I think, especially if they bring diving back from Hoenn, perhaps by introducing a new ride pokémon like Lanturn that could dive underwater.

They couldn't really add new cities, routes, or gyms/trials there though, so that would also fall under Emerald level expansions.

 

[Bguy7]

Well like I said, the 4 island system is a big part of Alola's culture. The 4 islands are connected to the Tapus, the Island Challenge, and Battle Royale. Adding a new island would just conflict with that identity.

It could be some sort of uninhabited island, have some sort of lore behind it explaining why it isn't on the same level as the other islands, or maybe not even part of Alola proper to begin with. The other possibility is the new game just retcons a fifth island into existence.

 

[Mrs. Oreo]

Mount Lanakila was actually pretty disappointing to be honest. It's the tallest mountain in Alola so I was expecting a fierce climb and a difficult dungeon with lots of strong trainers a bit akin to Mt. Coronet in D/P.

I tend to dislike arduous caves and dungeons, so I was relieved that Mount Lanakila wasn't as daunting as I had expected. I liked that it functioned as a pseudo-Victory Road and the icy terrain was a nice change from Alola's usual warm climate at least. :3

 

[Wednesdayz]

Alola's become my favorite region recently, although it certainly feels smaller compared to Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos. I wish there had been more major islands to visit in Alola.

 

[PsychoBoost]

Alola's become my favorite region recently, although it certainly feels smaller compared to Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos. I wish there had been more major islands to visit in Alola.

I'm not sure if a whole new island would be possible, with Tapus and etc. We might still get some smaller islands with bonus content, if there's a further game or re-make at some point. They don't seem to mind adding those.

Agree that it's almost a pity, it does feel small compared to some of the more elaborate structures of earlier games.

 

[Orphalesion]

Alola's become my favorite region recently, although it certainly feels smaller compared to Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos. I wish there had been more major islands to visit in Alola.

Personally I can't tell if Alola is smaller than the earlier regions or if it just feels smaller due to being portioned off into separate islands. Anybody have comparative data?