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Gaia is not based on a specific real world region or culture like previous generations.
Gaia takes places on a large archipelago. You travel freely over water on a ride Pokémon via Surf. Several Pokémon can serve as Surf riders because it’s a big part of the game. Lapras, Blastoise, Gyarados can be ridden, in addition to a new horned hippopotamus Pokémon based on a Lukwata and a kelpie Pokémon that gallops on the water’s surface.
Some islands have a town and some don’t. Some islands only serve as towns.
The region has a specific mystical power that causes mutations — think a combination of Area Zero and Holon. The islands are covered with researchers and explorers studying the islands. The player character the child of explorers. You have both a mother and a father who you routinely encounter on your adventures as they research the island’s energy.
Pokémon on these islands can be of different types than normal, like regional forms. Some can be from different time periods, like Hisuian forms and Paradox Pokémon.
The game features new legendaries but also an emphasis on Palkia/Dialga and Kyogre/Groudon, plus appearances from other legendaries.
There is no gym challenge. Pokémon themselves serve as the challenges like Totem Pokémon or Titan Pokémon. Most of these fights are 3v1 where you have a team of three on the field at the same time.
Items are obtained by finding them in the world, receiving them from NPCs, or as battle rewards. Money is still gained from selling items to shops but is no longer paid as a battle reward. Players have to sell treasure to make money.
There are two factions of researchers who serve as rival groups and pseudo “evil teams”. One wants to keep all the research a secret and not share the knowledge of the islands with the world. One wants to commodify the island and its mysteries to make money.
