Getting tired of the bratty kids making up BS. Step aside.
>Quaxly evolves into Water/Fighting conquistador bird. It still looks quite monstrous and has cool eyes like gen 1. Imagine a terror bird mixed with a booby bird.
>Fuecoco evolves into Fire/Poison pepper lizard thing with green/purple flame "mane". Despite being a fatty, manages to look surprisingly cool.
>Sprigatito is a Grass/Rock Onza cat. I'm not gonna tell you if it's bipedal or quadrupedal, because I can.
The characters are being updated to be more anime-like. This is actually why there's such a news drought. Rival is a delinquent schoolgirl from your school. There's also a friendly rival from the other school who is a guy.
>In the beginning of the game there is a "field day" tutorial that's staged as a contest. Basically teaching Pokemon mechanics and getting you used to the GUI. You win no matter what.
>The top 3 get a starter. You get in first place, so you pick first. delinquent girl is second, and friendly rival is third.
>Yes, you can save before picking the starter after doing the tutorial shit. No clue about any potential shiny locks, though.