It's set in Hawaii
Previous pokemon games have been set in fantasy versions of places like Japan, Paris and New York. For the first time a pokemon game is going to incorporate parts of a lesser known culture, and I think that's really exciting. Let's face it: Even though Hawaii has been annexed by America, the world of native Hawaiians is unfamiliar to most of us.
The games will include things like Island challenges, Totem pokemon and Kahunas who will take the place of Gym Leaders. Many Pokemon will have Hawaiian names such as Jangmo-o (mo'o is Hawaiian for lizard), Tapu-koko and Pa'u Style Oricorio. It looks like many NPCs will be dark skinned, which I find very refreshing.
It seems like it's going to be much darker than previous pokemon games
A trailer released today shows that a group called the Aether Foundation is going to be ''conducting research'' on Ultra Beasts, dangerous monsters that aren't quite pokemon. Many speculate that one of the Ultra Beasts, UB-01, is the daughter of the Aether Foundation's CEO after a science experiment gone wrong. You read that right: it's highly possible a little girl was turned into a monster by her own father, and the plot of the game may require that you fight her.
FASHION!!
Character customization is back! As a young girl, I always dreamed of playing pokemon trainer dress up. When Pokemon X and Y launched and customization became a thing, I was absolutely ecstatic. It was removed for Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, but now it's back.
And it looks like they improved it! Now your character can wear sandals and go without a hat.
Alolan Forms!
Due to the different microclimates in the Alola region, some pokemon we already know and love have become different. Their typing and colors have changed, and I think it's really neat. Those of you who played in generation one may remember the cute little fire fox, Vulpix. This is its Alolan form. Need I say more?
Pokemon Sun and Moon have many other awesome features to get excited about, but these are a few of the ones I like best. Are you excited?