Pokémon Black & White

I played pokemon black and white for the first time in the great year of 2022, after beating platinum in the previous year for the first time as well, and im actually really divided between which i would consider the series best generation. As much as platinum feels like the culmination of magical old school charm, this new first entry did great things in improving the gameplay and shifting some key aspects of the games.

First of the decision of only using new pokemons for the major part of the game was great, as it really forced the players to try out new pokemons and find new favourites. Obviously some designs were bad, like in all generations there are always some bad designs, and the bad ones in this game really stick out. But there are also a few truely great designs that belong amongs the series best, and really at the end of the day i remember it for the good designs rather than the bad.

The story actually took a few big leaps from the usual fare, with nice food for thought. Them toutching on the fact that using pokemon for battles feels a lot like cock fights was impressed, even if they back out a bit of the theme at the end. They dont want to ruin the series for its fans, but its story is definitly a few notches above from what the games usually deliver.

The gameplay feels very much improved from platinum in several aspects. The gameplay of these games revolves around turn based battles, rpg progression of the individual pokemons and exploration of the world.

Well the actual battles are much more enjoyable to play this time around. They are faster, and the work done with the sprites is incredible, making them feel more more real and immersive. Lots of new moves, abilities and items were added, increasing the complexity of the games and strategic depth. The game itself feels challenging enough to make it worth devolving into its deeper mechanics, even if it is made easier for anyone who wants to grind it out. Basically it has never been as fun to battle as on this gen, due to how snappy it is and the breadth of content available.

The fact that TMs are reusable again adds a lot of depth to the game and ability to try out a lot of new movesets without being punished for it.

Exploration is also great, with more western look to the game. There are a few moments where the game shows off its visual excellence and they are great. Lots of side content and optional secrets with worthwhile loot really make it its exploration great. Its pre league content is rather linear, but i didnt find that much of a negative since the actual routes have a lot of things to discover. Post league it opens up, and really almost doubles the lenght of the game given how much content it offers.

The team that gave me the league was Krokodile (with moxie), Haxorus and Chandelure, with Volcarona, Reshiram and Zekrum being on the party for backup if things got ugly. Also used a lot Stoutland as a HM slave, and left Emboar on the PC when it started getting behind. This was the only pokemon playthrough were i didnt stick with one of the starters to the end, which goes on to show the strenght of the pokemons available in the game.

I had a fantastic time with this one, and things would only get better with its sequel.

Gen 5 is my personal favorite Pokémon game as a fan of the entire series who has been playing the games practically all my life. Although Gen 5 are not my first games, I do have a lot of nostalgia for them. I think a lot of great Gen 5 Pokémon are underappreciated like the entirety of the game itself. When people talk about Gen 5 the focus is on the story which is great and the greatest of the mainline games, but the story is not the sole reason to enjoy Gen 5. It has the wonderful pixel art style the Pokémon works so well with, in battle animations that are not 3D. The game still has HMs but it isn't shoved down your throat. Best though is a sizable after game and constantly available trainer battles so getting to level 100 is actually possible. Black and White are very fun with unique Pokémon, a great story, and the last of the Pokémon pixel art style. If you haven't played it then please do. If you did not enjoy it the first time then try it again.

best mainline game and if you disagree you're WRONG

Sure, some species designs were contentious and the story isn't some grand, timeless JRPG narrative. But the music is the most inventive it's ever been without losing the spirit of the series, the designs knocked it out of the park, the story still had plenty more bite than obligated at the end, and the entire battle system was a golden era refinement over the hyper-aggressive D/P environment.

More than anything, though, mark my words: this was the one and only new Pokemon game that has or will ever come out after Red and Green. Game Freak will never, ever again have the balls to release a new main-series game with no old Pokemon in sight - nary a Pikachu - and they will never again capture the spirit of exploring a completely uncharted world around every corner. Have your opinions about which game or generation is the best, but for whisking me back to when I was 5 and still shattering the gameplay of the previous iterations, this one's always going to be closest to my heart.

In its 5th iteration, Pokemon Black/White introduced a new urban aesthetic and actually displayed some signs of story depth this time around. It isn't that much of an improvement, but it's enough to claim its status as the best - and the least predictable Pokémon game in a long while.

im jerking off this game please pokemon fans love me please i said gen 5 is soooo goood its soooooo goood

p.p.s. if you didn't choose snivy i won't choose to spare your life