Gen V: Should I play or should I not?

[henrymidfields]

Hi, so I finished playing Pokemon Y, and I'm now really regaining interest in playing Pokemon. (The last game I played was Silver/Crystal...and revisiting Kanto was so flying awesome.) I was wondering whether I should play Pokemon Black2/White2. I was quite interested in adventuring what seems to be the first setting outside of Poke-Japan, and I'm even more interested in the expanded post-game content of the two games. Especially Pokestar studios.

I understand that I will be missing quite a number of stuff, like the Dreamworld. But there seems to be a lot more content compared to any other game so far. And I am fascinated by the setting which is in Poke-New York. I'm also thinking of doing illustrations based on B2/W2, so I guess I'd like to check on the story/setting/characters.

Why B2/W2 and not the original B1/W1? I thought about B1/W1, but I think it came out in 2010, and it seems to be a bit too late.

Why didn't I start playing sooner? During 2012, I was busy looking for work, and I needed to focus more on that. And playing Pokemon at that time would be too distracting.

So...should I play, or not?

Also, for that matter, should I play HGSS too?

 

[Norzan]

Yes you should play B/W 2 and HG/SS.

 

[Proxima Centauri B]

Black 2/White 2 are great games. They're sequels to Black/White, so different than the usual third game. There are more things to do after finishing ht game and a larger regional Pokedex. I myself enjoyed it a lot.

HG/SS Id definately recommend. Its a great remake with a lot of good features such as your first Pokemon following you and stuff, Id recommend it if you liked the Johto games like I did and its all updated with Gen 4's features and graphics and is able to connect with wi-fi for trading and battling. Its a favorite of mine and Id definately replay it.

 

[henrymidfields]

So you reckon I should play, eh?

Yeah, I did enjoy Johto for the pure fact that I was able to travel to Kanto. And I am naturally biased for Kanto/Johto, simply because they were my very first two Pokemon games.

Thanks guys. I just wait for a bit until I get more responses, and I'll see how I go.

Regards,
-hm

 

[Sir Batman VIII]

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[Figgles]

Black 2/White 2 are awesome. I highly recommend them, they improve upon the first pair immensely. The post-game content is extensive, and the games introduced things never seen before (PWT, Pokéstar Studios, Funfest Missions, Hidden Grottoes etc.) as well as expanding on the great story the first ones had. Lastly, it's the best graphics we got before the jump to the 3D, and it shows that they pushed the sprite format to it's limits.

As for HeartGold and SoulSilver, they are also great games. Gamefreak really tried to outdo FireRed and LeafGreen, and it shows. An extended Johto Dex gives you plenty of options, as well as having an immense amount of Mons catchable after you get the National Dex, either through Hoenn/Sinnoh sound or the Swarm system. Also, Kanto is done much better than GSC, having little to no cuts, as well as giving us back Cerulean Cave. Also, the Safari Zone is back in a new part of Johto west of Cianwood with breathtaking cliffs. The Safari Zone itself has a very cool customisation system allowing you to catch even more Mons, as well as personalising the Zone to your liking. The Battle a Frontier from Sinnoh is here, and it is simply awesome. The Pokéathlon also appears, a much more fun and rewarding alternative to Contests, which also gives us another use for Apricorns. The Fighting Dojo allows you to rematch Gym Leaders, with all new teams with Pokémon from the newer Gens. Also... I think I've gone too in depth. You have to discover some things for yourself after all, and this is dragging quite a bit. :sweatlol:

 

[Team Gaara]

I would recommend both BW and BW2. You don't really need to play BW to understand BW2 or anything, but I feel the best way to experience Unova is the formula from BW where you can only use those Pokemon first. They aren't my favorites, but they were pretty great games. And it's never too late. I didn't play Gen I or II until I got the Roms for them about a year ago.

Now, I also liked HGSS and would recommend it to any fan of the originals, but the level cap can make it frustrating if you aren't a patient person.

 

[MetroLSD]

As with everyone else, i recommend you play BW, B2W2 and HGSS as well, i also recommend Platinum it was undoubtedly one of the best games in series as well as a better experience of the Sinnoh region than DP was.

 

[Bolt Strike]

5th gen was mediocre compared to past games, especially if you like exploration and extra features. But Platinum and HGSS? Those games are amazing, stop talking and go play them.

 

[Fairy Ice Ricky]

I don't think you should pass over Pokémon Black & White simply because of their release date. If you're worried about costs, I'm pretty sure BW are (technically) still in production, and depending on where you live you can pick up a new copy just like you can for Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 (it's harder, but they're still there). I just quickly checked on Amazon, and you can purchase new copies of Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 all for ~$30 each, and a few other places (like Walmart) still have copies of either Black or White.

You can definitely play B2W2 without having played BW, but there are definitely some bonuses I felt I was better able to appreciate in B2W2 because I played BW. Factors including (but limited to) the history of Team Plasma, the growth of Cheren & Bianca, and the Unova Link feature where you can unlock new mini-stories/items/battles/etc. in B2W2 if you connect your copy to a copy of Black or White--none of these things really affect the game play of B2W2, but they were still nice additions for those who played/owned BW & B2W2. (The Unova Link feature was one of my favorite features in B2W2 personally.)

Based on your love of Kanto and the fact that pre-XY the last games you played were Gen II games, I would also recommend picking up HGSS. While I personally didn't think HGSS completely captured the charm that made GSC the great games that they were (then again the only Gen II game I really played through was Pokémon Crystal so there's that), HGSS are still fantastic games that took stayed really close to the story from GSC, while also giving the story a greatly-appreciated Gen-IV upgrade and then some. The Pokéwalker was also a nice little gimmicky thing that they released with HGSS, but it's by no means a requirement to enjoy the games.

 

[Almonds]

Why B2/W2 and not the original B1/W1? I thought about B1/W1, but I think it came out in 2010, and it seems to be a bit too late.
So...should I play, or not?

Also, for that matter, should I play HGSS too?

1. HGSS is a nice upgrade of Johto. I'd recommend you give it a try.

2. B2W2 has a lot to offer feature-wise, especially with the ever-famous PWT available. However, if you have the chance, I seriously recommend BW. The story of BW is something you wouldn't want to miss - it's got the best plot out of all pokemon games, imo. Of course, if story isn't what you're looking for in games, then just look up spoilers while playing B2W2. But I'd still recommend you play BW if you got the chance

 

[Helioptile]

Play HGSS first, they're the most approachable for older fans and has a lot of fun little twists. And yes, you definitely should play BW2, but for fullest effect, play the originals. Yes, they're a bit inferior to the sequels, but they help you appreciate them more too. I also found the originals to have a bit more of an anime/manga feel to them in terms of the story. If you do do this, though, get the sequel that has the same NAME as the original you played. Don't get confused by the legendaries, It's Black->Black 2 and White->White 2.

 

[Stuntology]

I'd recommend BW2 over HGSS, but only slightly. Either way, those are the two games in the series with the beefiest and most immersive post-games, which make them still playable even though I'm into X now. The thing that makes me recommend BW2 first is that it plays much smoother both in and out of battle with faster menu navigation. I also find it more aesthetically appealing in terms of graphics, music, atmosphere, characters, and animations.

Some are suggesting playing BW a well as BW2. While I think that it is the best way to experience them, I don't think it's necessary. You wouldn't lose too much by just reading a plot synopsis before (or after!) you play the sequels.

 

[White Crow]

My favorites games are BW (2) so I totally recommend you playing gen V.
The better way to play the games should be (if you're interested in buying 2 catridges) BW and then BW2, I know it's not necessary but it helps you to fully understand the story, characters and what happens and happened (especially the memory link for further details in some things).
But if you have to choose I'd encourage you to pick BW2 since compared with its prequel, it gives you a lot more gameplay hours (pokewood, medals, PWT, more places to visit, national dex and a more developed story).
Of course HGSS is a must-play for nostalgia gamers but IMO it's not that good compared to BW(2), anyways is up to you pal.

 

[henrymidfields]

Thanks everyone. I've actually went to JB Hi-Fi to look for Pokemon BW. I think I'll ditch Poke-Osaka and focus on the Poke-New York (both BW and BW2) setting. Because I'm actually doing part-time study in addition to full-time work, I probably can only manage two at a time. And given that I haven't experienced Poke-New York at all, I will focus on that. (I've already went through Poke-Nagoya/Osaka with the original Gold/Crystal.) Anyway, I probably should start up a blog if anyone is interested. It will probably have to be after the new year, though.

Cheers,
HM

 

[SupersonicScolipede]

One tip: BW (and, to some extent, its sequels) are most likely going to be a tad different than what you're used to. If you try to keep an open mind, you'll be able to enjoy the game much more than if you constantly compare it to its predecessors, and you might even find it becomes one of your favorites.

 

[randomspot555]

One tip: BW (and, to some extent, its sequels) are most likely going to be a tad different than what you're used to. If you try to keep an open mind, you'll be able to enjoy the game much more than if you constantly compare it to its predecessors, and you might even find it becomes one of your favorites.

Personally speaking, I was still somewhat playing Gen 4 games during Gen 5 since the graphical differences (to me) weren't too much different so that it was a notable drop in quality. But it looks so great in Gen 6 that I doubt I'll ever pick up a Gen 4 or 3 game ever again unless I need to transfer something over or need a specific move tutor or something like that.

Gen 3 is also hard for me to play post-game (IE Tower/Frontier) because the old physical/special split just makes no sense to me.

 

[SupersonicScolipede]

One tip: BW (and, to some extent, its sequels) are most likely going to be a tad different than what you're used to. If you try to keep an open mind, you'll be able to enjoy the game much more than if you constantly compare it to its predecessors, and you might even find it becomes one of your favorites.

Personally speaking, I was still somewhat playing Gen 4 games during Gen 5 since the graphical differences (to me) weren't too much different so that it was a notable drop in quality. But it looks so great in Gen 6 that I doubt I'll ever pick up a Gen 4 or 3 game ever again unless I need to transfer something over or need a specific move tutor or something like that.

Gen 3 is also hard for me to play post-game (IE Tower/Frontier) because the old physical/special split just makes no sense to me.

Eh, Gen IV is kind of special to me, so I'm still willing to play it despite the obsolete graphics. But I agree with you on Gen III being difficult to play due to the old physical/special split. Hopefully we'll be getting RS remakes this Gen, though, so that should fix that problem.

 

[Helioptile]

One tip: BW (and, to some extent, its sequels) are most likely going to be a tad different than what you're used to. If you try to keep an open mind, you'll be able to enjoy the game much more than if you constantly compare it to its predecessors, and you might even find it becomes one of your favorites.

Personally speaking, I was still somewhat playing Gen 4 games during Gen 5 since the graphical differences (to me) weren't too much different so that it was a notable drop in quality. But it looks so great in Gen 6 that I doubt I'll ever pick up a Gen 4 or 3 game ever again unless I need to transfer something over or need a specific move tutor or something like that.

Gen 3 is also hard for me to play post-game (IE Tower/Frontier) because the old physical/special split just makes no sense to me.

Eh, Gen IV is kind of special to me, so I'm still willing to play it despite the obsolete graphics. But I agree with you on Gen III being difficult to play due to the old physical/special split. Hopefully we'll be getting RS remakes this Gen, though, so that should fix that problem.

Yeah, Gen IV's graphics have aged about as well as soggy bread. While Gen III's graphics are simple and nostalgic, IV's are... meh. Also, the mnemonic I use to remember the pre-Physical/Special split classifications is that the Special types are the Eeveelutions + Dragon. Obviously, Fairy doesn't apply. The rest are Physical.

 

[SupersonicScolipede]

One tip: BW (and, to some extent, its sequels) are most likely going to be a tad different than what you're used to. If you try to keep an open mind, you'll be able to enjoy the game much more than if you constantly compare it to its predecessors, and you might even find it becomes one of your favorites.

Personally speaking, I was still somewhat playing Gen 4 games during Gen 5 since the graphical differences (to me) weren't too much different so that it was a notable drop in quality. But it looks so great in Gen 6 that I doubt I'll ever pick up a Gen 4 or 3 game ever again unless I need to transfer something over or need a specific move tutor or something like that.

Gen 3 is also hard for me to play post-game (IE Tower/Frontier) because the old physical/special split just makes no sense to me.

Eh, Gen IV is kind of special to me, so I'm still willing to play it despite the obsolete graphics. But I agree with you on Gen III being difficult to play due to the old physical/special split. Hopefully we'll be getting RS remakes this Gen, though, so that should fix that problem.

Yeah, Gen IV's graphics have aged about as well as soggy bread. While Gen III's graphics are simple and nostalgic, IV's are... meh. Also, the mnemonic I use to remember the pre-Physical/Special split classifications is that the Special types are the Eeveelutions + Dragon. Obviously, Fairy doesn't apply. The rest are Physical.

That's an interesting way to remember it. However, the problem, for me, isn't necessarily remembering which types are physical or special, but rather the way it makes Pokemon like Milotic (who has a very high Sp. Defense stat) much more resistant to their respective weakness(es) than other Pokemon.