First and foremost this is not a review of pokemon as a series, this is a review of pokemon black and white, the new 5th generation, and how they measure up to the other generations in such important fields as new features, contests, and how completely ridiculous the pokemon look.
If you do not know pokemon, or already own Black or White you probably don't need to read this First of all, no matter what I may say in this review, I like this generation.
As we all know the order of goodness for pokemon generations is 2>1>3>4 (I say 2 is better than 1 because you still go to Kanto when you play silver/gold). They got worse and worse as time went on. Generation 4 just had completely useless pokemon that looked stupid AND weak at the same time (bidoof). But Gen 5 pulled itself out of the dirt, gave four a smack around the head, and got it right this time. The pokemon don't look terrible this time. Some look kinda stupid and according to my friend several of them look like Neopets, something that I don't know about all of you but I certainly hate, but then again, what pokemon DOESN'T look like a neopet when it isn't intentionally trying to look like a badass?
A new battle mechanic has been introduced as Triple Battles. How long will it take before they decide to give me all 6 of my pokemon in a huge battle royale in real time? But I digress. Triple battles have 1 pokemon in the centre and two either side, the one in the centre can attack all targets, the one on the right can attack centre and right, the one on the left can attack left and centre, but there are still moves that hit all reas, such as earthquake or surf. but I (having only just beat the Elite 4 for the first time) have only ever done one of these battles. It's like giving you cake and letting you lick the icing before taking it away.
Pokemon "contests" were a major let down. I actually liked the contests in Gen 3 onwards, and the pokeathlon was great fun, and what does Gen 5 have? Pokemon "musicals"... a major disappointment. When I first heard about this I envisioned dressing up your pokemon (like you do) then just a massive super contest dance round, which I viewed with great disdain. I entered in one, dressed my pignite up to look like a proper gentleman with his top hat, bow tie, cane and monocle. And for what? Watching his combat sprite bouncing up and down for a couple minutes with me doing next to nothing. Your reward? MORE PROPS TO DRESS YOUR POKEMON UP IN! It's giving you a reward to make the pointless thing you're doing better, but fails to tell me why I want to do this.
The animations are smooth though, which is nice, but I wish they added in a little more animation. Like if a pokemon is about to use flamethrower or hyper beam, can they open their mouth or something? I might just be picky but I think those little differences make the game that whole lot better.
While I'm on the subject of graphics, the pokemon on the opponents side of the screen has nice and smooth collours to it, and looks quite nice. Yours is pixelated as hell. It just doesn't look nice, it's not what I've come to expect for a DS game released in 2011. Soul Silver had less pixelation than this. I'm disappointed from that aspect but I still want to play the game.
Story. Pokemon story formula: Here have a pokedex go find monsters, OMG EVIL TEAM. I foil thee! Blah blah blah backstory to the guy you just beat and will never see again, blah blah blah elite 4 win.
That is exactly what this one is too! I mean sure, evil team and pokedex are an inherent part of pokemon, but I wish they'd change it around a little. But whatever. At least in this game the evil team has some kind of thought process to it. Team Rocket just liked blowing stuff up, while Team Plasma (this team) believes that Pokemon are mistreated under trainers, and by capturing them they are little more than tools.
I like this, it raises a moral dilemma, and creates a good backstory. Of course back story isn't hugely important.
So do I like pokemon black and white? yes.
The new order of epic is: 2>1>5>3>4.
That is all.
If you do not know pokemon, or already own Black or White you probably don't need to read this First of all, no matter what I may say in this review, I like this generation.
As we all know the order of goodness for pokemon generations is 2>1>3>4 (I say 2 is better than 1 because you still go to Kanto when you play silver/gold). They got worse and worse as time went on. Generation 4 just had completely useless pokemon that looked stupid AND weak at the same time (bidoof). But Gen 5 pulled itself out of the dirt, gave four a smack around the head, and got it right this time. The pokemon don't look terrible this time. Some look kinda stupid and according to my friend several of them look like Neopets, something that I don't know about all of you but I certainly hate, but then again, what pokemon DOESN'T look like a neopet when it isn't intentionally trying to look like a badass?
A new battle mechanic has been introduced as Triple Battles. How long will it take before they decide to give me all 6 of my pokemon in a huge battle royale in real time? But I digress. Triple battles have 1 pokemon in the centre and two either side, the one in the centre can attack all targets, the one on the right can attack centre and right, the one on the left can attack left and centre, but there are still moves that hit all reas, such as earthquake or surf. but I (having only just beat the Elite 4 for the first time) have only ever done one of these battles. It's like giving you cake and letting you lick the icing before taking it away.
Pokemon "contests" were a major let down. I actually liked the contests in Gen 3 onwards, and the pokeathlon was great fun, and what does Gen 5 have? Pokemon "musicals"... a major disappointment. When I first heard about this I envisioned dressing up your pokemon (like you do) then just a massive super contest dance round, which I viewed with great disdain. I entered in one, dressed my pignite up to look like a proper gentleman with his top hat, bow tie, cane and monocle. And for what? Watching his combat sprite bouncing up and down for a couple minutes with me doing next to nothing. Your reward? MORE PROPS TO DRESS YOUR POKEMON UP IN! It's giving you a reward to make the pointless thing you're doing better, but fails to tell me why I want to do this.
The animations are smooth though, which is nice, but I wish they added in a little more animation. Like if a pokemon is about to use flamethrower or hyper beam, can they open their mouth or something? I might just be picky but I think those little differences make the game that whole lot better.
While I'm on the subject of graphics, the pokemon on the opponents side of the screen has nice and smooth collours to it, and looks quite nice. Yours is pixelated as hell. It just doesn't look nice, it's not what I've come to expect for a DS game released in 2011. Soul Silver had less pixelation than this. I'm disappointed from that aspect but I still want to play the game.
Story. Pokemon story formula: Here have a pokedex go find monsters, OMG EVIL TEAM. I foil thee! Blah blah blah backstory to the guy you just beat and will never see again, blah blah blah elite 4 win.
That is exactly what this one is too! I mean sure, evil team and pokedex are an inherent part of pokemon, but I wish they'd change it around a little. But whatever. At least in this game the evil team has some kind of thought process to it. Team Rocket just liked blowing stuff up, while Team Plasma (this team) believes that Pokemon are mistreated under trainers, and by capturing them they are little more than tools.
I like this, it raises a moral dilemma, and creates a good backstory. Of course back story isn't hugely important.
So do I like pokemon black and white? yes.
The new order of epic is: 2>1>5>3>4.
That is all.