Same game sequels take the series three steps forward. Some sequels take the series one step forward and two steps back. Pokemon is the only series that manages to take the series an inch forward and five steps sideways. Pokemon Black
Structurally, it’s the same game as Red/Blue, Gold/Silver, Ruby/Sapphire, and Diamond/Pearl. Run around a region catching Pokemon, defeat 8 gym leaders, thwart Team Whatever’s sinister plan, catch a legendary Pokemon, defeat the Elite Four and the Champion. It’s a formula as classic as Mega Man or Mario, and it still works. This time the setting is Unova region, an area shaped vaguely like a lasso, a stark contrast to the straight angles and intersections of previous regions. Outside of the map, however, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between Unova and the other regions.
The game starts slightly faster then the others, giving you your choice of three starter Pokemon straight off and introducing you to the basics quicker than the earlier Pokemon games. Unfortunately, that head start is hindered by the twin anchors of Bianca and Cheren, your two rivals. Every time you go to a new location, one of those two will appear and challenge you to a battle. Again and again and again. By the third gym, you’re going to hate both of these pushy stalker bastards.
The new enemy is Team Plasma, and they would be a fresh and interesting approach to the standard Pokemon criminal group if they weren’t so ball-crushingly idiotic. They talk about how Pokemon should be free and shouldn’t be trained and forced to battle… and yet that’s exactly what they do. They have all the depth of a Captain Planet villain, and make me pine for the days of “we want your Pokemon!” and “we want to take over the world!”
Fortunately, Pokemon hasn’t ever focused on plot, and like in previous games the stupid characters and boring plot take a back seat to Pokemon catching and strategic fighting. In this, Pokemon Black and White shines as one of the brightest examples of the gameplay yet. It plays great, with tons of varied Pokemon to catch and tons of ways to influence their growth. While there are still the occasional frustrations (like the Volt Switch move and a certain gym leader battle), the game generally maintains balance and stays fast-paced. The game adds two new battle types, but like before they’re rarely seen modes and you probably won’t even think about them the majority of the time. They’re forgettable gimmicks you have to actively seek out to try.
Pokemon Black and White looks great, with 3D tricks Diamond and Pearl didn’t even try. Castelia City and Skyarrow Bridge look breathtaking compared to previous Pokemon, with a sweeping skyline and actual vistas to behold. Combat animations have been slightly improved, but otherwise the actual Pokemon battles look the same as before. Walking around sure is pretty, at least.
Nintendo added some online tricks to the game in the form of the Dream World/Extralink system. Unfortunately, the Pokemon Global Link won’t be up and running until March 30, so I wasn’t able to test these features.
Like every major Pokemon release before it, Pokemon Black and White take the series just a little bit forward. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s still the best Pokemon game to date. You know what is is. You know what you’re getting into. If you’re a fan of previous Pokemon games, pick this one up.
And give me a shout if you want to trade a Metagross. Just putting that out there.
