This game will always be important to me. Black was my first ever Pokemon game and the first game that I fell in love with. With that said, rating BW is tough, because Black and White 2 takes the groundwork set by BW and improves it by tenfold. BW has a very close relationship to BW2 in its design and storytelling that’s futile to deny, but it’s not fair to rank BW based on what BW2 does. For the most part, I’m only focusing on BW without mentioning BW2, but for aspects like story it’s kind of difficult to not blur the line there.
Firstly, BW introduced a lot of QoL that was lacking before, most notably infinite use TMs that allow you to build stronger and more interesting teams. Black and White were also the first games to really step back from required HMs, with the only required HM being cut for one singular tree in Striaton City, and I don’t think enough people appreciate that. The game’s visual and musical style is GORGEOUS, with the OST and spritework still holding up even now and being a big part of what makes gen 5 so iconic and nostalgic. This along with small details like seasons make BW feel so fun to explore despite its linearity. And BW’s postgame is MASSIVE, giving the player a lot to do once they beat the main game.
That said, the strictly new Pokemon dex can definitely feel limiting, especially on replays. While interesting at the time of its release due to the dex being entirely new and unfamiliar Pokemon, 10 years later it’s really not aged the best. Many of these pokemon also evolve at late levels, such as Bisharp, Mienshao, and especially Hydreigon. Level grinding SUCKS, being limited to Audino grinding or the stadiums in Nimbasa if you fall behind for whatever reason. Past games have been worse (HGSS comes to mind), but BW are almost infamous for being annoying to level grind in for a reason.
And while this isn’t required, musicals are the worst feature in any Pokemon game. They’re confusing and poorly explained, you don’t even get awarded for doing them, and coming off the heels of gen 3 and 4’s contests which had dynamic and involved gameplay, musicals are boring. The fucking musical theme genuinely began to feel condescending after a while of trying to get every prop. Don’t do musicals. They’re bad.
As for the story of BW, I think it’s good but gets into that difficult territory of almost relying on BW2 to really shine. On its own, BW’s story is fine, but not spectacular. N is a standout character, but the story the game tries to tell about the relationship between humans and Pokemon struggles to get to the depth that the writer’s wanted it to. That said, BW’s story feels like a strong prequel to BW2’s story, setting the groundwork for how the world will evolve. BW doesn't feel like games whose story is meant to be on its own, which is fine, but still hurts the story of BW on its own.
There’s a lot more I can say about these games, but I’ve already been here a while. BW are far from perfect, especially when looking down the line at BW2. But god, these games are still fucking fantastic and have a special place in my heart, rose-tinted glasses acknowledged. They have a special place in my heart.
Firstly, BW introduced a lot of QoL that was lacking before, most notably infinite use TMs that allow you to build stronger and more interesting teams. Black and White were also the first games to really step back from required HMs, with the only required HM being cut for one singular tree in Striaton City, and I don’t think enough people appreciate that. The game’s visual and musical style is GORGEOUS, with the OST and spritework still holding up even now and being a big part of what makes gen 5 so iconic and nostalgic. This along with small details like seasons make BW feel so fun to explore despite its linearity. And BW’s postgame is MASSIVE, giving the player a lot to do once they beat the main game.
That said, the strictly new Pokemon dex can definitely feel limiting, especially on replays. While interesting at the time of its release due to the dex being entirely new and unfamiliar Pokemon, 10 years later it’s really not aged the best. Many of these pokemon also evolve at late levels, such as Bisharp, Mienshao, and especially Hydreigon. Level grinding SUCKS, being limited to Audino grinding or the stadiums in Nimbasa if you fall behind for whatever reason. Past games have been worse (HGSS comes to mind), but BW are almost infamous for being annoying to level grind in for a reason.
And while this isn’t required, musicals are the worst feature in any Pokemon game. They’re confusing and poorly explained, you don’t even get awarded for doing them, and coming off the heels of gen 3 and 4’s contests which had dynamic and involved gameplay, musicals are boring. The fucking musical theme genuinely began to feel condescending after a while of trying to get every prop. Don’t do musicals. They’re bad.
As for the story of BW, I think it’s good but gets into that difficult territory of almost relying on BW2 to really shine. On its own, BW’s story is fine, but not spectacular. N is a standout character, but the story the game tries to tell about the relationship between humans and Pokemon struggles to get to the depth that the writer’s wanted it to. That said, BW’s story feels like a strong prequel to BW2’s story, setting the groundwork for how the world will evolve. BW doesn't feel like games whose story is meant to be on its own, which is fine, but still hurts the story of BW on its own.
There’s a lot more I can say about these games, but I’ve already been here a while. BW are far from perfect, especially when looking down the line at BW2. But god, these games are still fucking fantastic and have a special place in my heart, rose-tinted glasses acknowledged. They have a special place in my heart.