Some info on the new games:

- Hau and Lillie both choose starters at the beginning of the game with you
- Lillie wants to get stronger so she can rescue Nebby from Aether Paradise

- There is a return to "Gym Leaders" - the Captains and Ryuki are the chosen eight.
- Unlike previous games, they don't reside in Gyms. Ilima is found in the Trainer School, Mallow in Lush Jungle, etc.
- You must complete the SM Trials and beat the Totems in order to battle the "Gym Leaders" to earn badges.
- There are new trials for Mina and Ryuki on Poni Island.

- The Elite Four is Hala, Hapu, Olivia and Kahili.
- Professor Kukui is still the Alola Champion.
- (You battle Nanu and Molayne during the game, but not as part of the League challenge)

- Ultra Beasts appear in the plot much earlier, as do Anabel and Looker.
- Team Skull are trying to capture Ultra Beasts to become more powerful trainers. (aided by Colress)
- Gladion is fascinated by the UBs and that's why he is part of Team Skull - to capture one.
- Later in the game, Gladion, Plumeria and Guzma will use low level Ultra Beasts in battle.
- There is a showdown at the now-fully-accessible Lake of the Sunne/Moone where you will fail to stop Team Skull catching Necrozma.
- There is a showdown at the Altar of the Sunne/Moone where Colress fuses Necrozma to Nebby and opens the portal to Ultra Space for Lusamine.

- There are a few new areas - Wela Volcano Interior, Hano Golf Course, Hokulani Mountain Pass to name a few.
- A new Deep Sea Fishing Rod increases the diversity of underwater pokemon you can reel in.
- There are new Alolan pokemon - Seel/Dewgong, Onix, Sunflora, Qwilfish and Octillery.
- A sprinkling of old pokemon are added to the Alola Dex.