Honestly I didn't like this one a huge deal either for the most part - I like it a bit more than BW1, but a lot of the issues I had with those games are still present here to varying degrees. Instead of beating those points to a pulp or running back over with a fine-toothed comb to leave no nitpick untouched, I think it'd be a better use of my time to go over what I *did* enjoy about this one.
I think it's a lot of fun to have the power level really pushed to its limits in a game where you also get easy enough access to the same sort of power. Really cool to see the lategame bosses using cool and interesting items on their teams (at least on Challenge Mode?), and it's equally cool that a mix of the Battle Subway and Hidden Grottos lets you get cool items and strong HAs of your own - I had a Scarfed Moxie Pinsir before the 4th gym and I just think that's awesome. Fighting the E4 on Challenge Mode was such an absolute howl - not 'challenging' by any means, not that that's a problem! - and that in isolation might have been the most fun I've had so far in all my replays!
BW2 really just knock the presentation out of the park. I liked the visuals in Gen 5 more than I remember doing, but while the soundtrack in BW1 wasn't always my favourite (mainly some bland route themes), I think all the additions in BW2 are absolutely stand-out. Can't overstate the extreme amount of polish they did manage to add to the visuals either, it's so cool to see all the cute little overworld sprite animations, and how cool and animated all the trainer sprites look in-battle as well! As much as I do prefer the old sprite-based game (crazy take, I know!), I feel like this was the best game to go out on if any, because boy did they go out with a bang.
I lambasted Unova for having the most boring region layout before, but I think the flipside is that it has some of the most fun individual routes to explore. BW2's Victory Road is completely emblematic of that, being an absolute sprawling maze spanning multiple different environments. To be honest, it started to pull its best routes out when I was starting to feel the most fatigued nearer the end of the game, but it's still something I can appreciate, especially as scouring these huge expansive areas is one of my favourite parts of these games.
Definitely forgot a few things, but honestly I'm just reeling from how much I enjoyed the end of the game, especially the E4 on challenge mode. I had such a huge grin on my face the entire time, watching it flip between dumb stuff like Quick Claw Bisharp and actual insane curveballs like Chandelure having a Choice Scarf??? And I'm saying this when I still managed to sweep half of it just using the SD Landorus that I have for some reason (thanks Dream Radar). Can't be too harsh on a game that wants to go out like *this*, even if I didn't think much of, like, the whole rest of the game. Definitely willing to dip some time into the postgame now. BW2 fans - I'm sadly not there myself, but I can definitely see it now.
I think it's a lot of fun to have the power level really pushed to its limits in a game where you also get easy enough access to the same sort of power. Really cool to see the lategame bosses using cool and interesting items on their teams (at least on Challenge Mode?), and it's equally cool that a mix of the Battle Subway and Hidden Grottos lets you get cool items and strong HAs of your own - I had a Scarfed Moxie Pinsir before the 4th gym and I just think that's awesome. Fighting the E4 on Challenge Mode was such an absolute howl - not 'challenging' by any means, not that that's a problem! - and that in isolation might have been the most fun I've had so far in all my replays!
BW2 really just knock the presentation out of the park. I liked the visuals in Gen 5 more than I remember doing, but while the soundtrack in BW1 wasn't always my favourite (mainly some bland route themes), I think all the additions in BW2 are absolutely stand-out. Can't overstate the extreme amount of polish they did manage to add to the visuals either, it's so cool to see all the cute little overworld sprite animations, and how cool and animated all the trainer sprites look in-battle as well! As much as I do prefer the old sprite-based game (crazy take, I know!), I feel like this was the best game to go out on if any, because boy did they go out with a bang.
I lambasted Unova for having the most boring region layout before, but I think the flipside is that it has some of the most fun individual routes to explore. BW2's Victory Road is completely emblematic of that, being an absolute sprawling maze spanning multiple different environments. To be honest, it started to pull its best routes out when I was starting to feel the most fatigued nearer the end of the game, but it's still something I can appreciate, especially as scouring these huge expansive areas is one of my favourite parts of these games.
Definitely forgot a few things, but honestly I'm just reeling from how much I enjoyed the end of the game, especially the E4 on challenge mode. I had such a huge grin on my face the entire time, watching it flip between dumb stuff like Quick Claw Bisharp and actual insane curveballs like Chandelure having a Choice Scarf??? And I'm saying this when I still managed to sweep half of it just using the SD Landorus that I have for some reason (thanks Dream Radar). Can't be too harsh on a game that wants to go out like *this*, even if I didn't think much of, like, the whole rest of the game. Definitely willing to dip some time into the postgame now. BW2 fans - I'm sadly not there myself, but I can definitely see it now.
faea
9 months ago