The Pokemon franchise is one that has captured the hearts of many gamers and otakus alike. It’s been around for a long time and it’s reputation is well-deserved. And now sequels to the original Pokemon Black and White titled Pokemon Black 2 and Pokemon White 2 serve as a testament to this statement. TechDeville’s full Pokemon Black and White 2 Review is below.
The games will now be refereed to as Pokemon Black and White 2 throughout the review. Now before I proceed, I’d just like to say that this game is a further enhanced and upgraded version of it’s predecessor. It’s not anything new. The same old Pokemon formula applies to this game as well. This was expected, so do not be surprised if you find this game to be quite similar to the previous titles in the series. The turn-based battles, collection of eight gym badges and catching the plethora of Pokemon is still there. It’s the same system that we’ve learned to love.
However, the game does include a new story line large amounts of brand new content and a completely fresh experience. Since the story of this game takes place two years after the previous one, you’ll see some changes in many areas, but you’ll also get to see old rivals and places. In a refined manner of course.
Pokemon completionists will be glad to see the addition of a Habitat List which is a part of your Pokedex. This allows you to view the Pokemon that you’ve caught in each area, making it simpler for you to ensure that you’ve encountered and captured all the Pokemon that are present in the vicinity. The game features over 300 Pokemon, which means that there’s a higher probability of you encountering new species, making the battles more interesting.
The story of Black 2 isn’t completely linked to the story of the previous game. You choose a new protagonist with completely different motives and all. As mentioned before, the story takes place two years after the events of the first game. Also, a Memory Link feature allows the players to link the save file of the previous game, if they have played it, to view some flashbacks which shed more light on the situation of the story. Furthermore, if the save files are linked, the characters in the game refer to “the hero who saved Unova” by his/her name. Though this is not a major feature, it still feels nice to the players who played the previous game and finished it.
The areas of the game have changed. Many old towns and routes are revisited, with some of them having gone through a semi-overhaul. Characters that you met in the previous games have also changed, with some of them haven taken on different roles.
We all know that the Nintendo DS isn’t capable of superb graphics by today’s standpoint, but Black 2 pushes the handheld to it’s limits. By using a combination of 2D and 3D sprites, Black 2 delivers a great cinematic story experience and brings the world to life. Players will be able to experience four different seasons in the game, each one with it’s unique features, such as snow covering the fields. You can also see your footprints, fogs and reflection in the water. Such touches, which seem insignificant at first, play an important role in creating a more appealing game.
The story in a Pokemon game is never very complicated, and nor is it highly important most of the time. Black 2, however, might just arguably have the most captivating story in the history of Pokemon games. As I said, the story in this series is never complicated, so you can guess that Team Plasma is back again, expanding the plot further and then finally ending with a wonderful conclusion. Fans of the series will be quite satisfied with the conclusion of this particular story line.
Now on wards to what really matters in a Pokemon game… the battles and gyms. Well, the battles are pretty much the same. Turn based combat system is as fun as ever, with some very slight tweaks here and there to make the entire thing smoother. On the other hand, gyms have been greatly improved. They’re grander and worth your viewing. Without a doubt, Pokemon Black and White 2 have the best gyms ever seen in a Pokemon game.
One major addition to the game is the Pokemon World Tournament which provides you with an opportunity to test the abilities of your Pokemon and improve upon your skills. In this tournament, you are able to battle against previous gym leaders and champions, an experience that will probably invoke a feeling of nostalgia for some fans. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go against some of the best characters in the entire Pokemon series once more, right?
The addition of medals is also a nice touch to the game. With 200 medals to collect, the players will be occupied with this game for a long time. These medals are basically like the trophies on the PlayStation or achievements on the Xbox 360. Though these things are mostly of interest to the perfectionists, some casual players might have fun with them too. And if that isn’t enough, there is also the inclusion of Pokemon grottoes where players can find rare items or Pokemon. Despite the fact that these grottoes are difficult to locate, it is quite palpable that their rewards are worth it.
Other features included in the game include the PokéStar Studios, allowing you to create mini-movies with your favorite Pokemon and also tests your knowledge. Pokemon Musicals also make a return from the previous Black and White. Furthermore, linking with other players is as easy as ever, allowing you interact with your friends’ avatars, arranging battles and trading with them.
So, whats the final word on this game? Amazing.
Pokemon Black 2 is addictive, fun and enjoyable. The new content is great, the visuals push the DS to it’s limits and the Pokemon World Tournament is simply fantastic. This game is highly recommended to both the newcomers to the Pokemon franchise as well as to the veterans who have enjoyed previous games in the series. However, the fact remains that behind all these improvements, the core gameplay mechanics and objectives are the same as the previous games, which may be a slight let-down for most people.
Overall, this game is fantastic. TechDeville gives Pokemon Black and White 2 4/5 stars.
