Pokemon isn't a franchise that breaks new ground with each addition to the series. Instead, each new chapter simply adds more Pokemon to the roster, several cosmetic changes to menus and occasional battle system tweaks for some added torque and technique. While Pokemon Black and White follow this tried and true form, they do so in a bigger way.
The first thing players will notice is that while the structure of the game remains eerily similar to previous installments, none of the expected old friends are here. In the Unova region, players won't encounter a Pikachu or Haunter or even Pokemon from Diamond and Pearl. No, when players first traverse the world, collecting badges to eventually face the Elite Four, they are doing it with a completely fresh team from the 156 new Pokemon in Black and White. This is fantastic for many reasons, the biggest being that everyone starts out on the same playing field. Sure, some players may be more experienced, but random encounters are a little less tedious when players are seeing all of these Pokemon for the first time and learning their strengths and weaknesses with each battle.
Also new to Pokemon Black and White is a focus on story. The story in past games did little more than suggest where players head next and occasionally require a side quest to be completed before returning to the main goal of catching 'em all and becoming a Pokemon Master. In Black and White, players can't go five paces without stepping in story, which surrounds Team Plasma's attempts to free Pokemon. Friends and gym leaders encountered along the way look to the player to keep the balance between humans and Pokemon. The story creates a better appreciation for the characters, some of which are rather charming and entertaining.
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But while story is nice, the reason to play Pokemon is for its easy to use but incredibly deep turn-based RPG and leveling system. The battle mechanics have stayed mostly the same, stats bolstering with each level to help evolve Pokemon and have them learn new moves. Black and White introduce a few new ways to play such as triple battles and rotation battles, but in the initial part of the game these mechanics are used far too sparingly, especially considering the amount of skill they require – it almost seems like a wasted play mechanic, at least in the single player game.
The multiplayer in Black and White is significantly deeper than any Pokemon game to date. The game's new C-Gear feature allows for players to connect wirelessly through IR or the Internet and can assist in missions, battle, trade, and Pokedex expansion. It's worth noting that it's necessary to find a friend with the opposite copy if you want to see every Pokemon.
Despite these new additions, there are elements that still feel clunky. Some of the artwork and Pokemon look downright awful and outside of using Super Repels, there's still not much that can be done about the random encounters (though the shaking bushes and dust clouds for special Pokemon are a welcomed element). The camera has even been shifted to make use of the three-dimensional environments, but then players run into occasional fixed or shifting camera issues that shouldn't be plaguing a top tier franchise such as Pokemon. However, the shift to focus more on expansive environments and cities may evolve into something greater down the line for Pokemon and it's nice to see a change in perspective and some forward-thinking with regard to presentation.
Pokemon Black and White is the closest thing to a franchise reboot in many years. The game's immersing elements such as C-gear and new Pokemon combinations that make players reassess the best way to do battle, coupled with a long-awaited actual storyline, shows that developer Game Freak and publisher Nintendo aren't simply looking for a quick cash grab. This is easily the best in the Pokemon series to date and with the 3DS now available this may be one of the last great DS games.
