Pokemon Black and White: originals vs sequels

[Boss1708]

What games are the best from gen 5?

Different from any past generation, Gen 5 doesn't have a third game to completely outshine the original pair, but a new and original story for sequels, making gen V have 2 completely original games, each with different things to offer.

So, which one is the BEST of Gen V? Which is the better game as a whole package (main game story , post game, content, graphics, music, exclusive features, etc)? Which has the better Gym Leaders, better Champion, better villains, etc

 

[Icy Wind]

In terms of storyline, definitily black and white but in terms of postgame, black and white 2. So... it really depends if you want a good storyline or a good postgame.

 

[godiego]

the only thing that BW2 beats BW in is the post-game. BW2 doesn't even come close everywhere else.

 

[Boss1708]

What games are the best from gen 5?

Different from any past generation, Gen 5 doesn't have a third game to completely outshine the original pair, but a new and original story for sequels, making gen V have 2 completely original games, each with different things to offer.

So, which one is the BEST of Gen V? Which is the better game as a whole package (main game story , post game, content, graphics, music, exclusive features, etc)? Which has the better Gym Leaders, better Champion, better villains, etc

the only thing that BW2 beats BW in is the post-game. BW2 doesn't even come close everywhere else.

So, you would say the originals are not only better story wise, but in other aspects as well?

Also are graphics much different? I skipped the sequels, that's why I don't know... I have heard heard people say the music is better in the originals... But some praise the sequels graphics as a noticeable improvement...

 

[PaulTheProtist]

the only thing that BW2 beats BW in is the post-game. BW2 doesn't even come close everywhere else.

So, you would say the originals are not only better story wise, but in other aspects as well? Are graphics much different? I skipped the sequels, that's why I don't know...Also, I've heard people say the music is better in the originals... But some praise the sequels graphics as a noticeable improvement...

The sequels are somewhat harder and have a much broader Pokémon selection. The graphics and music are mostly the same.

 

[godiego]

So, you would say the originals are not only better story wise, but in other aspects as well?

Also are graphics much different? I skipped the sequels, that's why I don't know... I have heard heard people say the music is better in the originals... But some praise the sequels graphics as a noticeable improvement...

it's a bit paradoxical but: when comparing the two as Pokemon games, Black and White are better. if you compare them more objectively, Black 2 and White 2 are better. if i had to recommend whether or not some buy either one, i would say to buy BW2 because of its longer shelf life.

 

[Lufenium]

I think it depends what you're looking for:

If you want a more focused, emotional story & characters that grip you, go for B/W.

If you're more interested in content, and things to do, places to see, get B2/W2. They have expanded maps, move tutors, more available legendary Pokemon, etc.

 

[Mitchman]

Disregarding post league content, both games are masterclass examples of what Pokemon should be and stand on equal ground. BW is a radical new direction, with a more streamlined experience, yet offering exploration within theboundarirs it sets you. The story is mostly ehat you expect, with some twists throughout and a huge departure at thend, keeping you on your toes. Meanwhile B2W2 is the highest point in the series yet, with a more traditonal take of the story, with more exploration, a mix of old and new, and a great climax to the story, despite it being before the league. If it was more of BWs change everything, then it would have been a worse game for what its worth, just beind diferent for the sake of being different. I give B2W2 higher ground in the end though, Unova 2.0 is the best region in the entire series, the new optional dungeons and the rewards they offer are some of the greatest stuff in the series. I mean, who doesn't want to be the leader of Castelia's local street gang?

 

[God Fire]

I prefer everything else in Black 2/White 2. New cities, Pokémon, more things to do.

 

[Osprey]

Disregarding post league content, both games are masterclass examples of what Pokemon should be and stand on equal ground. BW is a radical new direction, with a more streamlined experience, yet offering exploration within theboundarirs it sets you. The story is mostly ehat you expect, with some twists throughout and a huge departure at thend, keeping you on your toes. Meanwhile B2W2 is the highest point in the series yet, with a more traditonal take of the story, with more exploration, a mix of old and new, and a great climax to the story, despite it being before the league. If it was more of BWs change everything, then it would have been a worse game for what its worth, just beind diferent for the sake of being different. I give B2W2 higher ground in the end though, Unova 2.0 is the best region in the entire series, the new optional dungeons and the rewards they offer are some of the greatest stuff in the series. I mean, who doesn't want to be the leader of Castelia's local street gang?

It always makes me so happy, finding someone besides myself who not only tolerates Unova, but praises it.

Anyways, back on topic, for me, it depends on how I'm looking at it. For me, replayability is mostly based on how much I enjoyed the game's moments (parts of the story, the music, the all-around aesthetics) rather than gameplay content. Out of the two, I'd much more likely pick up BW rather than their sequels if I just wanted a game to play. The climax of the game is just what keeps me going each time, along with the music of the entire world.

BW2 are great games in themselves, I won't deny that. But I do know that after Team Plasma's defeat in Giant Chasm, I always has a lot of trouble motivating myself to push through into the Pokemon League. However, I'd say the games either tie or surpass Sinnoh in terms of excellent postgame content.

 

[Mitchman]

Tge league after thr giant chasm was rewarding, more so then other times. Unlike Hoenn, which culminates in Sootopolis after the gym battle then going to Ever Grande, there is a challening route till the Victory Road, and you also have to anticipate a whole new victory road to traverse, which was extremely satisfying considering its split paths.

 

[Arceus the Dragon]

I would go with Black 2 and White 2. Cool new stuff and expanded pokedex. Good amount of legendaries and getting shiny Bagon, Dratini and Haxorus was rewarding. Finally having Zorua available is also a plus in my books.

 

[Steel_Justice]

BW for me had the better story and the more powerful experience because of the soft reset nature of the game for the franchise and the other bold moves they did with the game.

BW2 for the gameplay because of it's enhanced dex, extra features and more refined gameplay.

 

[Lylian]

I remember liking Black 2 better.

 

[ocelotlrama jaguar]

Black and White for me. No contest.

Really, B2W2 didn't seem all that special to me. There was nothing outstanding about it and they didn't stand out on their own. As a matter of fact, I don't remember a lot about it since I played through it once and thats it. Yeah, it had the larger Pokedex by bringing back older mons from previous generations, but part of the reason I loved Black and White was that they forced you to use the newer stuff, and really, when I play a new Pokemon game, that's something I would like to do. It had Kyurem forme changes, but woo hoo, so did Platinum and it did it better. Also, unlike with Platinum which needed the Pokedex expanded from the abysmal one they had in Diamond and Pearl, it just felt like they were trying to appease fans by bringing back their favorites, because God forbid you try something new. While not as terrible as what Gen VI did, I still found it to be a huge cop-out. Also, lack of anything new done with the sprites (which is a feature I look forward to seeing in a new game) was a huge downer. I know they tend not to update what's in the National Pokedex, but they didn't even bother to change what was in the regional.

The story felt like such a drag, I found the newer characters to be really forgettable, I thought the route to the Pokemon League music was awful compared to the sad yet wonderful piece they had in BW's route 10, the sucker punch they had where you fought the big bads instead of the Elite Four just couldn't be topped, the World Tournament was mega bleh, having yet ANOTHER Dragon-type champion as opposed to the variety the last champion had in his team was incredibly lame.

The only positive things I can say about B2W2 was that I liked the music in Lentimas town and the music that was played at the entrance to Reversal Mountain. I love that desert vibe it had to it. The music in Elesa's gym was pretty neat, too. Also, the post-game content was not that bad, either. Another positive I will give was the Strange House explaining the deal with the ghost girl. I kind of wish the plot had been more about that than with Team Plasma again. They could have had a new team altogether dealing with dreams and nightmares. Everything else was a drag.

 

[Bolt Strike]

BW2 by far. BW was far too dumbed down and simplistic in a lot of ways and felt like a step backwards in pretty much every area except story. BW2's story was definitely worse, but it brought things back to relative normalcy from BW1 (although it didn't do a great job at fixing region design, but there's not much it could've done in the first place).

 

[Esserise]

Disregarding post league content, both games are masterclass examples of what Pokemon should be and stand on equal ground. BW is a radical new direction, with a more streamlined experience, yet offering exploration within theboundarirs it sets you. The story is mostly ehat you expect, with some twists throughout and a huge departure at thend, keeping you on your toes. Meanwhile B2W2 is the highest point in the series yet, with a more traditonal take of the story, with more exploration, a mix of old and new, and a great climax to the story, despite it being before the league. If it was more of BWs change everything, then it would have been a worse game for what its worth, just beind diferent for the sake of being different. I give B2W2 higher ground in the end though, Unova 2.0 is the best region in the entire series, the new optional dungeons and the rewards they offer are some of the greatest stuff in the series. I mean, who doesn't want to be the leader of Castelia's local street gang?

Mostly I agree with this. For me, BW *and* B2W2 are the height of the series. But if I were to compare them to one another, then I think that I would probably fall into the convenional line of thought, that BW are better in the main game, while B2W2's strength is more in the post-game.

 

[DoctorWhy]

I really liked both pairs, but I think B2W2 were the superior pair. Took the best stuff of BW and refined it. BW had a slightly better story, but everything else was better in the sequels. Especially Pokemon selection. One of my favorite teams ever was in B2.

 

[Almonds]

Black and White wins by story but has little to nothing to do after the initial campaign. Black2 and White2 might not have an excellent storyline, but they have a solid plot AND they have a lot to offer feature-wise in the post game.

So B2W2 wins overall.