With Pokémon Black two and Pokémon White two, developer Game Freak has decided to quit beating around the bush and give us a”true” sequel rather than a Pokémon Platinum-esque expansion pack. The show is better for it too, even if the much touted emphasis on storytelling remains largely superfluous.

Set two years after the events of the original Pokémon Black and White, it sports a brand new quiet protagonist, also a new rival, and a couple of fresh gym leaders. More to the point, you can find brand new Pokémon — should I say, older Pokémon. Unova is now rife with Pokémon from previous productions — a welcome sight for lovers of this sequence. It makes the entire world of Pokémon feel bigger and more linked than it already is, making the Unova Pokémon feel like they’re”a part of their family.”

Disappointingly, the returning Pokémon aren’t the only familiar element. What a pity that Game Freak did not use this chance to experiment a little bit with the formula and trim down the customary rote badge pursuit (or create it entirely optional).Join Us pokemon black 2 ds roms website As a company, Pokémon could be at once very smart and advanced, and annoyingly put in its own ways.

Gallery: Pokemon Dark 2 and White 2

It provides a context to the story, along with the Volume Effect-like capability to link up with the initial game to incorporate in various memories is neat, but otherwise they are comparatively self-contained. Black and White 2 gets better and more Pokémon from the get-go, and the story quickly becomes a distant memory when the Elite 4 are finished.

One thing that I love about Black and White 2 within the original games is that the new post-game content. Not that there wasn’t any lack of bonus material in the first Black and White; I only prefer what the sequel has to offer. Among the coolest features is that the Pokémon World Tournament, that brings back most of the fitness leaders and leaders from the initial four generations to get a single big tournament. It makes for an enjoyable bit of nostalgia for those who have been enjoying since the start, and provides a tough challenge for anybody hoping to make it through all of the tournaments.

Also enjoyable is that the Hollywood-like PokéStar Studios, that hearkens back into the contests as well as musicals of former games — one of my favourite features. Back in PokéStar Studios, you and your Pokémon follow with a script (using a small space for improvisation), after which you are graded by the movie-going audience. It’s the ideal challenge for my cherished Flareon, who’s now rocking more than twenty ribbons, and is currently ready to become a movie star (if I could offer her a cool pair of shades to complete the look).

Ultimately, Pokémon has in-game accomplishments now. Called”medals,” they can be got by finishing tournaments, trading along with other individuals, or simply purchasing plenty of things from the store. It gets me that much more inspired to actually dive in and try to fulfill my Pokédex for first time since Pokémon Fire Red (that, incidentally, still boasts the best and most alluring Pokedéx actually ).

Playing Pokémon Black and White 2 has been shown to be a refreshing experience for me personally. Wandering the planet with my Infernape in tow, so I am always struck by precisely how big the world of Pokémon has gotten. Through Wi-Fi features like the Global Trade Service along with StreetPass-type elements such as Join Avenue, at which special store vendors are inserted by passing different lovers, I feel more connected than ever before. There is really a ridiculous amount to perform once the limiters are off and you can research at your leisure. I frequently wish I could just skip the badge-collecting and get right down to the work of battling in tournaments and collecting Pokémon. I guess Game Freak gets the new players to consider though; and as tiresome as the effort has become for me, I envision the well-balanced challenge of the fitness center struggles and the diverse selection of Pokémon is going to be a joy for first-timers.

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 are apt to be the last of the fifth generation, which is somewhat poorer than the outstanding Diamond and Pearl installments, but has been able to stay popular as everbefore. Now the Nintendo 3DS is at full blossom, another generation will certainly be on its way shortly, and Game Freak will have more resources than ever before to enlarge its unique world. It’ll be intriguing to find out what they do with the built-in StreetPass tools as well as also the much-improved Wi-Fi. The AR-driven Pokémon Fantasy Simulator — a paid minigame of sorts available on the 3DS that integrates with Black and White 2 — has offered a glimpse.

Meanwhile, Pokémon Black two and White 2 feel like the”true” variations of Dark and White, far as Crystal, Emerald, and Platinum felt just like the actual variations of their respective generations. It’s more Pokémon, better post-game articles and, aside from some additional perks like the aforementioned Memory Link, chiefly renders the original games unnecessary. Whether returning fans should pick up Black and White two, meanwhile, depends solely on if you’re burnt out on Pokémon yet. The sequel is bigger and better than the original, but it’s still Pokémon. In mind, you already know whether or not you’re ready to slog through the following eight badges and get back to catching all.

In my situation, Pokémon Black and White 2 has given a new outlook on the series. For the first time in years, I am ready to put aside the constant grind of increasing the perfect monster and really delve into what the world of Pokémon has to offer you. A world that feels bigger and more interesting than ever.