Thursday, October 11, 2012

(SPOILERS) Pokémon Black and White 2: Review.

When I say that Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 revolutionises 'Pokémon' in general, I am NOT kidding.

The Story is stellar. We get to revisit a 2 year shifted Unova, and see improvements here and there, and we get to observe the changes in the characters we've grown to love.
*cough* 'sup?


The Gameplay is superb (as per usual). We get new areas to visit, new places to grind~

The New Features are brilliant. We get new reasons to socialise with Pokémon!

So, let's get cracking!

_________

Story and Character interaction.

Story-wise, it's been 2 years since we've last seen Unova.

Black-Trainer Card Anabel! :D
Anabel's been off to find N and Zekrom/Reshiram, and we see sudden changes of climate all over Unova. 
In the town of Aspertia, we see our Heroine and her childhood friend meetup with a certain Professor's Assistant to get their first Pokémon.

Okay. Nothing much different yet.

Story wise, you're a young aspiring Pokémon Trainer,

LOL WHO AM I KIDDING. I'm already at Orange Card(2 Trainer stars)
and you're exploring an Unova that's been given 2 years to grow.

So, HOW exactly did Gamefreak manage to rehash Unova WITHOUT making it boring:

1)You start in a different town with a different character.
2)You ARE ABLE TO LINK WITH YOUR PREVIOUS SAVE GAME. Having NPCs refer to the previous protagonist by NAME is a really awesome AWESOME touch.
3)Open up a new regional dex(which also brings a huge "holy crap ecology" Fridge Horror possibility)

I can't say much about story, but with UNOVA LINK?


Sepia Toned, Sweet-Melodied FLASHBACKS.

Not technically FLASHBACKS, but memories of events taking place between BW and B2W2. Bits and pieces of story to show you what exactly went on. And linking to my BW save file net references to Anabel, my previous character.

Seeing Anabel being referenced here and there is just amazing, and it really immerses you into the world that is Unova.

You FEEL like your character actually MATTERS to the in-game 'verse, and I have to say that such a reference really builds up the emotional portion of the game. You feel like you've actually contributed to a game, and I'd have to say that the last time I've felt like this over a game, was the Mass Effect series.

It brings a lot to the table with how Gamefreak writes Pokémon, and I am truly satisfied with the Unova region.

____

Gameplay

What can I really say about the gameplay of Pokémon?

You catch, you collect, you cockfight.

OH AND YOU GET A BETTER POKEDEX.
(BTW, NO, Rotom and Blastoise are NOT in the Unova Regional Pokédex.)

The Unova Regional Pokédex has gems like Lunatone and Solrock, and in the Dark Grass? There's a chance for them to appear in such a configuration. Does it look familiar?

'Stark Mountain' hm.
The change to gameplay here, imho, would be that whole thing about nods to previous established canon and locations.

OH AND


BEST. POSTGAME. ACTIVITY. EVER.

The Pokémon World Tournament is srsly SRSLY one of my new favourite places to grind BP. It's surprisingly challenging, and also a huge step forward to the whole "Battle Frontier" thing.
I AM sad to not having Battle Frontier, but I'm happy to see such a fresh new approach to it.

^^;

____

New Features

Now, more about the new features, Unova Link...


I say that Gamefreak managed to impress yet again with Unova Link.
Unova Link gives you the Key System(to exchange with your friends), Memory Link(to link to BW) and Nintendo 3DS Link(For Pokémon AR Searcher.)

There's more reasons to socialise now!


Now, with Black 2 and White 2, you get the Key System. A concise and simple system. With a key from someone with an opposing version, you can get either the Challenge Key(B2) or Assist Key(W2). These keys ups or lowers the level of challenge the In game AI poses.

(BTW Challenge Mode is -FUN- so if you wanna try it, hit me up and I'll pass you a Challenge Key.)

'Change City' is an option obtainable if you beat Treehollow or BlackSkyscraper to the 5th level.

Mystery Door...? I have no idea!

____

I really don't know what else I can say about Pokémon Black 2 or White 2.

They are truly refined Pokémon games, and I thoroughly enjoy/and will be enjoying them for a long while.

Until next time!

Gotta Catch'em All! :)

-Ry

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