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Pokémon Black and White

by Aaron Kaluszka - February 3, 2011, 1:18 pm EST
Total comments: 2

Does the evolution of Nintendo shadow the evolution of Pokémon?

The core Pokémon games have seen very incremental changes over their 15-year tenure. While adding a plethora of new Pokémon, the developers did very little in the past to improve gameplay. Though they keep the somewhat-dated battle mechanics, Pokémon Black and White does improve on many other aspects of the series, making the game worth a look for loyal and jaded fans alike.

Taking place in Unova, a completely different location from the previous games, the game represents New York City rather than locations in Japan. The antagonists this time around are Team Plasma, essentially animal rights activists who seek to liberate Pokémon from their human masters. The primary 150 Pokémon are all new, and Pokémon from previous games cannot be seen or imported until after completion of the main game. Seeking to represent a big city feeling, players will encounter many NPCs throughout, with snippets of conversation arising from the bustle when nearby.

The main gameplay has not changed significantly, and the turn-based random battles are as present as ever. The elemental Pokémon types still play a major role in strategy. 

That's not to say there are no changes. To provide a more even playing field in multiplayer, all Pokémon are automatically set to level 50 no matter what level they are in single-player. Triple Battles are one of the new modes where players send out three Pokémon at once. These battles require a bit of extra strategy as attacks may be limited based on positioning of the three creatures.

As for presentation, the games’ worlds are rendered in 3D, but the characters remain simple, flat sprites, resulting in a Mode 7-like effect. The 3D is used to reveal small portions of the world at a time, and I traversed one area that used navigation in 3D as a simple puzzle. After all of these years, Pokémon in battle are now fully animated, but remain as rather low resolution sprites. The creatures on your team look even worse because the pixels are doubled in size. Similarly, sound quality has not seen significant improvement.

One big improvement is the consolidation of the Poké Mart, Pokémon Center, and Global Terminal into a single location, providing a one-stop shop for Pokémon management activities. The game also introduces a season system, where seasons change after one month of real time. Besides environmental changes, some Pokémon change forms with the seasons.

Black/White keeps connectivity at the absolute forefront. The game includes local, Wi-Fi, and even infrared connectivity, mediated by a special infrared port built into the top edge of the game card. Outside of battles, the touch screen, representing the “C-Gear” device, is reserved almost entirely for connectivity features. Players can rearrange the C-Gear’s control panel to choose which buttons activate the three connectivity features. All other options, such as the Pokédex, are relegated to small buttons along the border.

The infrared port serves an interesting purpose – friend code circumvention! Players playing locally can connect through infrared, which will exchange friend codes automatically and then transfer into local wireless mode to continue play.

Other basic functions can be done through the infrared system as well, including an updated version of Nintendo’s Love Tester, called Feeling Check. Rather than holding metal orbs, players put their thumbs onto the touch screen to ascertain “compatibility.” The 3DS system also includes an infrared port, of which nothing’s been said about. I have to wonder if Black/White is a trial for possible 3DS functionality, especially after the inclusion of Pokéwalker-like functionality in the 3DS.

For DSi owners, the game makes use of the camera to allow extremely low framerate video with four people supported in local wireless (why?) and two online. Older DS owners can still participate with the microphone and the ability to draw on-screen. This system is actually built into the main game where players “converse” with characters.

And Black/White includes a tag mode as well, so stats can still be shared while the system in closed. Nearby players can be updated on others’ progress in the single-player game. Furthermore, players can take surveys and share that data with each other. In short, instead of just collecting Pokémon, Black/White has players collecting random bits of data!

The pair of games also includes limited interoperation with a non-Nintendo system: the Pokémon Global Link website, allowing players to check stats and trades. Though Black/White does not include Pokéwalker compatibility, players can send their Pokémon online to the “Dream World,” where they can meet other players’ Pokémon and collect items through the Global Link website. (Note: this service will not be immediately available at the games' launch).

These random features are prevalent and incidental to the actual game, yet they provide an interesting “realization” of the in-game world. With all of its connectivity features, I can’t help but think that Black/White is a collection of tests for possible 3DS features, particularly for things that could be done in StreetPass. Pokémon Black/White focuses heavily on player battles, and is probably best played in large groups. However, the game does feature enough improvements to finally pique my interest again after many years of limited progress.

Pokémon Black/White takes a welcome leap forward. While still retaining most of the features that Pokémon fans are used to, Black/White streamlines out much of the clunkiness of previous games, though the battles themselves are not especially improved.  With a renewed focus on connectivity, Pokémon offers a preview of directions Nintendo may take with their 3DS. In that way, Pokémon Black/White is particularly suited for local multiplayer gaming. Even for players who have grown bored of the franchise, Black/White looks to be a worthwhile experience.

Nintendo demoed Pokémon Black/White at their offices.

Talkback

MorariFebruary 03, 2011

Quote:

The antagonists this time around are Team Plasma, essentially animal rights activists who seek to liberate Pokémon from their human masters.

So the player is actually the villain this time around? An interesting twist, indeed.

NemoFebruary 04, 2011

Have people started making racist jokes about the name(s) of the game(s) yet?

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Pokémon Black and White Box Art

Genre RPG
Developer Game Freak
OnlineYes

Worldwide Releases

na: Pokémon Black and White
Release Mar 06, 2011
PublisherNintendo
RatingEveryone
eu: Pokémon Black and White
Release Mar 04, 2011
PublisherNintendo
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