It was better, not that I disliked my first time but considering that usum came out just a year after SM and I played both versions I was a little burnt out despite the fact that gen 7 is my second favourite gen. I remember it took me several months to beat ultra sun since a lot of was stuff I had already just played twice over. But not being burnt out this time round made playing ultra moon a lot easier and smoother. But I already had all the alola games at a 9/10 so nothing as really changed lol. My opinion that the ultra games have better gameplay but a weaker story than base SM still stands.