This review concerns the main adventure (beating up bad guys and becoming Champ). Multiplayer, contests, postgame and catching 'em all do not apply here).
So, Gen V, widely held as the best beside Gen II and Gen VI. So how does it hold up? Well this reviewer has not played Gen II and VI yet, but is a Gen Fiver, so bias steamroller alert.
First off, I like the Anti-Grinding in this game. It promotes a more balanced and strategic team instead of One Man Party. There are 2 collectible EXP share, a few Pokemon tradable to NPC, and an experience boosting item, so smart use of them can really help. Wild Pokemon are slightly weaker than local Trainers, so new members catch up quickly.
I agree that the story is the best the series has to offer, and this is why I love this Gen; however, the bar was never high to begin with. The story has the villains question the heroes' ethic concerning Pokemon, but how this conflict is resolved is a major cop out. Instead of giving strong points for the heroes' treatment of Pokemon, the story reveals the villains as hypocrites to make the heroes look good by comparison. Some good points are raised here and there, but the problem is never resolved beyond "agree to disagree." The story does not realize its full potential, but it impresses me nonetheless. N is one of the most complex characters in the series.
People criticize the design of this gen's Pokemon (as well as Gen III and IV), but I actually don't mind my mons being ugly. What Measure Is Non Cute and What Measure Is Non Badass are serious problems with the franchise and the fanbase that are rarely commented on beside some minor talk. If I have to comment, I'd say it at least does not have any black face or Mexican and Jewish stereotypes
All in all, this is my favorite gen (or first half of a gen) yet. Maybe I would review the second half later.
Pokemon White
This review concerns the main adventure (beating up bad guys and becoming Champ). Multiplayer, contests, postgame and catching 'em all do not apply here).
So, Gen V, widely held as the best beside Gen II and Gen VI. So how does it hold up? Well this reviewer has not played Gen II and VI yet, but is a Gen Fiver, so bias steamroller alert.
First off, I like the Anti-Grinding in this game. It promotes a more balanced and strategic team instead of One Man Party. There are 2 collectible EXP share, a few Pokemon tradable to NPC, and an experience boosting item, so smart use of them can really help. Wild Pokemon are slightly weaker than local Trainers, so new members catch up quickly.
I agree that the story is the best the series has to offer, and this is why I love this Gen; however, the bar was never high to begin with. The story has the villains question the heroes' ethic concerning Pokemon, but how this conflict is resolved is a major cop out. Instead of giving strong points for the heroes' treatment of Pokemon, the story reveals the villains as hypocrites to make the heroes look good by comparison. Some good points are raised here and there, but the problem is never resolved beyond "agree to disagree." The story does not realize its full potential, but it impresses me nonetheless. N is one of the most complex characters in the series.
People criticize the design of this gen's Pokemon (as well as Gen III and IV), but I actually don't mind my mons being ugly. What Measure Is Non Cute and What Measure Is Non Badass are serious problems with the franchise and the fanbase that are rarely commented on beside some minor talk. If I have to comment, I'd say it at least does not have any black face or Mexican and Jewish stereotypes
All in all, this is my favorite gen (or first half of a gen) yet. Maybe I would review the second half later.