Review: Pokemon Black/White
The fifth generation of Pokemon makes its way to the DS in version Black and White. Pokemon fans were excited to see the new array of Pokemon as well as new quests and game mechanics. Other aficionados and former fans shrugged the game off. A few old veterans decided to give this game one more shot. Let’s take a look and see what the next generation of Pokemon holds.
Having played Pokemon ever since its release as Red and Blue, I got to see how the world of Pokemon evolved over these past 16 years. Over time, Pokemon went in different directions as far as monster design goes. Ruby/Sapphire was the last generation I found appealing, and when fourth generation Diamond/Pearl came out, there were very little Pokemon I found that I could like or appreciate. The story for Diamond/Pearl was a bore, I couldn’t care for Team Galactic; and the notion of legendary Pokemon traveling through time and space, as well as a Pokemon that acted like a god was a bit too absurd for my liking. Having gone to these extremes with Diamond/Pearl, I wasn’t too thrilled or hyped for Black/White. Playing through this new generation of Pokemon, I have found that Black/White has redeemed Pokemon in my eyes in many ways.
Everyone’s main complaint about Pokemon is that the story is always the same and the endless grinding that you have to do from the ground up. This has been true for the past four generations. Each story always starts with the main character needing to collect badges, face the ultimate trainers, and be the champion while catching Pokemon and facing the next Team Badguys and their story. Each game had you starting fresh with new Pokemon and going through the world to build up your team up. Black/White has come around to change that notion.
The story begins with the main character and his/her two friends choosing their Pokemon to set out into the world. While Cheren (one of your friends) is guessed to be your rival to fight at the end, the story molds your two friends in different directions. Cheren and Bianca act like true friends rather than always trying to out do you like past rivals have in older stories. They travel and assist your role in the story to stop Team Plasma. While the main character goes city to city to collect badges, your friends and Gym Leaders are more focused on stopping Team Plasma’s evil plans. This gives those characters more dimension than past generations have. While the main character does work to be a champion, it is for a different reason. Previously, you work to be “the best trainer” in the game while here you work to become a hero in order to awaken a legendary Pokemon to help bring peace against Team Plasma. This in turn gives old Pokemon fans a new sense of accomplishment. In the end, the climax and final battles of the game have been the best I have seen since Pokemon’s first release. All very exciting battles.
As mentioned before, the monster designs in Diamond/Pearl were lack luster and I was afraid that same notion would hold true for Black/White. In this new generation, there is a mix of good and bad design Pokemon. I found a number of Pokemon I was happy to grow with and travel through my adventure, whereas in Diamond/Pearl I forced myself to play with monsters I could care less about. Many critics say that as Pokemon continues to add more generations, they are running out of ideas; many would agree, especially when you start turning home appliances and garbage bags into Pokemon. Despite this, I believe there are still plenty of animals that can be used for inspiration in creating genuine monsters. The monsters in this generation feel more like actual Pokemon. There are a few questionable designs, but one must remember that even in generation one, they did have magnets and slime as Pokemon. My one dislike is that there are too many legendary Pokemon to catch.
This is also the first Pokemon game that introduced animated sprites. This became a big deal for Pokemon fans all over, as their favorite monsters would have a bit more life to them. When this news was released I had expected battle animations on a few different levels. Sadly the Pokemon only have idle animations in battle. At the very least I would have like to have seen attacking and hurt animations be present alongside the idle animation. I know that there are over 600 Pokemon, and animating each sprite would be cumbersome, I would just like to have seen the developers push this one step further to make the battles even more engaging. In at the same time I wish the sprites (especially the back view) were a little more refined and polished. Despite these facts, the animated sprites are a pleasure to have in the game.
After going through the main story of the game, I was surprised to see how much after-story side quests there were. This also solves the grinding factor of Pokemon to a degree. Players that would grind their Pokemon up to Lv.100 don’t have to fear fighting the game trainers over so many times. The after-story side quests provide many high-level Pokemon battles and challenges. The new areas you unlock also bring up Pokemon from previous versions to fight and catch. This puts to rest much time of trading between two DS systems to fill up your Pokedex.
My biggest complaint is the lack of support for the PokeWalker. With the release of HeartGold/SoulSilver came the PokeWalker, with which trainers could carry a Pokemon with them and generate mystery items with other trainers who had them as well. This was great as you would actively engage trainers at school, conventions, or anywhere else. Sadly, that is no longer supported in Black/White despite the cartridge having an infrared sensor. To replace that new communication features have been added. Various information can be exchanged between DS’ whether they are active or in sleep mode such as: sleeper teams (the ability to fight against another player’s ghost team that they have created), survey information (a side quest sharing what other trainers are like), and showing where along the game the other player is in.
PROS: Fresh new story engages both old and new players. Monster designs have improved since the last generation. Plenty of after story side quests to build your team’s strength and explore the land of Black/White. New mini games, communication perks, and battle styles.
CONS: Lack of PokeWalker support. Team Plasma’s story could have been stronger to give a bigger sense of impending doom. Animations are no more than idle animation for Pokemon battles.
Bottom Line: As an old fan of Pokemon, I was more than pleasantly surprised with how much I would love the game ever since Diamond/Pearl’s shortcomings. A strong new story, improved monster designs, and more has kept the game feeling fresh. The is still very much the same as far as game mechanics go, that will never change.
Verdict: A-
