A topic full of happy ranting for once!
So, last Saturday, my sisters and I had another ~epic adventure~.
I drove us to the mall, and we picked up Pokémon Black and White. ...Specifically, I got White, the two of them got Black.
Today, I beat the main storyline. (The two of them beat it a few days ago. I've been going slowly more or less on purpose.) And I feel like rambling on and gushing about the game a bit.
TL;DR for the following: Pokémon has always been a good game. An excellent game, which has only gotten better as it's evolved over time. White took the concept and made it even better.
First off, for the GX folks in the audience, it was White Forest that was the deciding factor in my decision to get White version over Black. Nothing else. Make all the jokes you want, but it was because I like forests better than cities. Having played it, though, I don't regret it in the least. Apparently White has a much less technological theme to the world than Black does, which I really really like. It's ironic, really - I'm going into computers, but I like less modern places better.
Of the starter Pokémon, I picked Snivy. Honestly, it's my favorite. It's so pretty~ And to be perfectly honest... I kind of like snakes. ...well, as long as they're small, and non-poisonous. But this one program I went to in, like, I want to say... probably fifth grade? It was either fifth or third... but anyway, they brought Rosy Boas, and they were so pretty~ I'd honestly consider getting a rosy boa of my own when I have my own place, if it weren't for the fact that I think you have to feed them live mice, and that's just... yeah, no thank you. At least cat food doesn't look alive.
But anyway, Snivy. I named him Luke, after Luke Stokkart from The Legend of the Legendary Heroes. ...because yeah, the Pokémon I wound up actually using in my party have that kind of theme naming. If I liked it enough to be interested in using it, it got a DenYuuDen name. My final Elite 4 team, actually, wound up being Luke the Serperior (who really should be able to learn Iron Tail through level up instead of just through breeding, don't you agree?), Milk the Stoutland (caught her on Route 1 at level 4, such a cute little puppy), Sui the Simipour (the one from the Dreamyard - my sisters gave up on their monkeys early, but Sui proved more useful than I thought he would), Eslina the Archeops (who is sooooo strong except when her health falls which is kind of annoying but), Asruld the Lampent (Litwicks are soooooo cute and I've been doodling them in the margins ever since I first saw one when I was flipping through Serebii's pokedex), and Iruna the Zoroark (because my sisters and I managed to get shiny event Enteis - wish she'd learn more non-Dark moves, but she makes up for it). Along the way, I also trained Ferris the Liepard (sooo fragile it got kind of annoying after a while), Lach the Watchog (who was okay, but Milk was better) and Lafra the Munna (who desperately needed a non-psychic move, I'm sorry) before I got a couple of the others.
Zekrom is Ryner, by the way. I've got a whole separate section of rambling about that whole business that I'll get into later, no worries. :)
The museum amused me, kind of on that note. We're going to point out this cool dragon skeleton (that shortly after gets its skull stolen), a cool meteorite (that I hear has to do with Deoxys), and this ordinary black stone that we found in the desert - no significance at all, but we keep it around because it's pretty. ...Yeah, I could tell it was important the moment he pointed it out. Especially when he ignored the bones on the other side of the room that looked pretty cool too. Law of Conservation of Detail, folks.
I really, really like how the NPCs get so involved in the story. Like, the professors have never really done anything other than give you the initial quest and maybe call you once or twice later, but Juniper was all over the place. The same with Bianca and Cheren - you really get to know them as characters. Other rivals were kind of just... there. I mean, admittedly it's been a while since I've played through Hoenn and Sinnoh, but their rivals don't really stick out, you know? And while Blue/Green/Gary/Whatever and Silver/??? each got a little bit of development (Silver/??? got quite a bit in Heart Gold that I don't remember him having in the original), it's nothing compared to Bianca and Cheren. I actually feel like they're developed characters, not just that guy who wants to fight you again.
And N... Oh, N... He made me tear up, at the end.
Regarding the new species... I really like some, I don't like others much, and still others are okay but nothing particularly special in my opinion. My favorite is, of course, Litwick, as I already mentioned - it's so adorable~ And I... actually don't dislike the evolved forms of the fire pig starter. They were odd at first, but I think I've gotten used to them. (Still prefer Serperior though - so elegant.) Have to say, though, I'm not a fan of the genies. They're basically recolors of each other. Yes, their tails are different, but that's... it. Maybe I'm missing the point, but.
I LOVE the graphics. They basically took everything that the DS's engine was capable of and showed it off, and it is gorgeous. That one bridge where they first pull back the camera angle and show off... breathtaking. And the Elite 4's rooms, too. And can I just say, I love how the Pokémon sprites are constantly moving. I mean, I never really minded the static sprites, but constantly moving sprites make them feel more alive, you know?
And if I love the graphics? I love the music even more. They really make it fit - and even emphasize - the mood. Especially that piece at the end when N was saying goodbye... Oh man. (Not to mention. Switching to a different piece when you get to low health instead of just having 'ding dong' overlaying what's playing? Awesome.)
Another thing - the progression through the game was nice. I mean, there was no backtracking unless I wanted to go back and get something, which I thought was nice. And I never had to do a long annoying grind, either - I always wound up at around the right level for what I was trying to do. I mean, I did go and train a little extra a couple of times (like for the bug gym... gaah that Leavanny hurt...), but never more than a level or two. And there are doctors on some of the routes and in some of the caves who'll heal you for free (after you beat them once), so you don't have to backtrack all the way to the Pokémon Center, and believe me, for that blasted cave full of electric types that was really annoying to get through? That was so helpful you have no idea.
...And I'm running out of ways to praise this game. It's just so good.
And now, because I'm weird, I'm going to go on a second rant - that is, mixing The Legend of the Legendary Heroes and Pokémon together in ways that make waaaaaaay too much sense.
As I mentioned above, I named Zekrom after Ryner.
If it had been Reshiram, I would have named him after Lucile.
Let's put it this way.
Reshiram and Zekrom were once the same Pokémon (likely at least related to Kyurem), a dragon who helped twin heroes to create Unova. But the heroes started to fight - the older twin sought truth, and the younger sought ideals. The dragon split into two, and while Reshiram sided with the older twin, Zekrom sided with the younger. They fought, they were evenly matched, stuff happened.
The Lonely Demon known as All Equations split himself into the Weaver of All Equations (later devoured by Lucile Eris) and the Solver of All Equations (later merged with Ryner Lute) in order to help the Black Fallen Hero in his goals. The Hero was later devoured by Sion, and... well, I'll let this speak for me.
Sion's Mad Hero side that Lucile supports: "No, you are not Alpha. Then do not hinder me. I shall become ‘true’." (episode 24)
Sion's ...Sion side that Ryner supports: "I’ll do it, Ryner. I’ll become king of this land and change everything. I’ll make the world you once desired. So, Ryner… join me." (episode 2)
The side that seeks truth is supported by Lucile (who is therefore Reshiram). The side that seeks ideals is supported by Ryner (who is therefore Zekrom). Ryner even has the right typing, with Izuchi and everything! (Though I admit, I've never seen Lucile have anything to do with fire... then again, what is the Weaver's power, exactly? He didn't really show off much in the anime other than being everywhere at once...)
You have NO IDEA how much amusement I've been getting out of this. (I even kind of want to draw it! Despite my art skills being crappy.)
I drove us to the mall, and we picked up Pokémon Black and White. ...Specifically, I got White, the two of them got Black.
Today, I beat the main storyline. (The two of them beat it a few days ago. I've been going slowly more or less on purpose.) And I feel like rambling on and gushing about the game a bit.
TL;DR for the following: Pokémon has always been a good game. An excellent game, which has only gotten better as it's evolved over time. White took the concept and made it even better.
First off, for the GX folks in the audience, it was White Forest that was the deciding factor in my decision to get White version over Black. Nothing else. Make all the jokes you want, but it was because I like forests better than cities. Having played it, though, I don't regret it in the least. Apparently White has a much less technological theme to the world than Black does, which I really really like. It's ironic, really - I'm going into computers, but I like less modern places better.
Of the starter Pokémon, I picked Snivy. Honestly, it's my favorite. It's so pretty~ And to be perfectly honest... I kind of like snakes. ...well, as long as they're small, and non-poisonous. But this one program I went to in, like, I want to say... probably fifth grade? It was either fifth or third... but anyway, they brought Rosy Boas, and they were so pretty~ I'd honestly consider getting a rosy boa of my own when I have my own place, if it weren't for the fact that I think you have to feed them live mice, and that's just... yeah, no thank you. At least cat food doesn't look alive.
But anyway, Snivy. I named him Luke, after Luke Stokkart from The Legend of the Legendary Heroes. ...because yeah, the Pokémon I wound up actually using in my party have that kind of theme naming. If I liked it enough to be interested in using it, it got a DenYuuDen name. My final Elite 4 team, actually, wound up being Luke the Serperior (who really should be able to learn Iron Tail through level up instead of just through breeding, don't you agree?), Milk the Stoutland (caught her on Route 1 at level 4, such a cute little puppy), Sui the Simipour (the one from the Dreamyard - my sisters gave up on their monkeys early, but Sui proved more useful than I thought he would), Eslina the Archeops (who is sooooo strong except when her health falls which is kind of annoying but), Asruld the Lampent (Litwicks are soooooo cute and I've been doodling them in the margins ever since I first saw one when I was flipping through Serebii's pokedex), and Iruna the Zoroark (because my sisters and I managed to get shiny event Enteis - wish she'd learn more non-Dark moves, but she makes up for it). Along the way, I also trained Ferris the Liepard (sooo fragile it got kind of annoying after a while), Lach the Watchog (who was okay, but Milk was better) and Lafra the Munna (who desperately needed a non-psychic move, I'm sorry) before I got a couple of the others.
Zekrom is Ryner, by the way. I've got a whole separate section of rambling about that whole business that I'll get into later, no worries. :)
The museum amused me, kind of on that note. We're going to point out this cool dragon skeleton (that shortly after gets its skull stolen), a cool meteorite (that I hear has to do with Deoxys), and this ordinary black stone that we found in the desert - no significance at all, but we keep it around because it's pretty. ...Yeah, I could tell it was important the moment he pointed it out. Especially when he ignored the bones on the other side of the room that looked pretty cool too. Law of Conservation of Detail, folks.
I really, really like how the NPCs get so involved in the story. Like, the professors have never really done anything other than give you the initial quest and maybe call you once or twice later, but Juniper was all over the place. The same with Bianca and Cheren - you really get to know them as characters. Other rivals were kind of just... there. I mean, admittedly it's been a while since I've played through Hoenn and Sinnoh, but their rivals don't really stick out, you know? And while Blue/Green/Gary/Whatever and Silver/??? each got a little bit of development (Silver/??? got quite a bit in Heart Gold that I don't remember him having in the original), it's nothing compared to Bianca and Cheren. I actually feel like they're developed characters, not just that guy who wants to fight you again.
And N... Oh, N... He made me tear up, at the end.
Regarding the new species... I really like some, I don't like others much, and still others are okay but nothing particularly special in my opinion. My favorite is, of course, Litwick, as I already mentioned - it's so adorable~ And I... actually don't dislike the evolved forms of the fire pig starter. They were odd at first, but I think I've gotten used to them. (Still prefer Serperior though - so elegant.) Have to say, though, I'm not a fan of the genies. They're basically recolors of each other. Yes, their tails are different, but that's... it. Maybe I'm missing the point, but.
I LOVE the graphics. They basically took everything that the DS's engine was capable of and showed it off, and it is gorgeous. That one bridge where they first pull back the camera angle and show off... breathtaking. And the Elite 4's rooms, too. And can I just say, I love how the Pokémon sprites are constantly moving. I mean, I never really minded the static sprites, but constantly moving sprites make them feel more alive, you know?
And if I love the graphics? I love the music even more. They really make it fit - and even emphasize - the mood. Especially that piece at the end when N was saying goodbye... Oh man. (Not to mention. Switching to a different piece when you get to low health instead of just having 'ding dong' overlaying what's playing? Awesome.)
Another thing - the progression through the game was nice. I mean, there was no backtracking unless I wanted to go back and get something, which I thought was nice. And I never had to do a long annoying grind, either - I always wound up at around the right level for what I was trying to do. I mean, I did go and train a little extra a couple of times (like for the bug gym... gaah that Leavanny hurt...), but never more than a level or two. And there are doctors on some of the routes and in some of the caves who'll heal you for free (after you beat them once), so you don't have to backtrack all the way to the Pokémon Center, and believe me, for that blasted cave full of electric types that was really annoying to get through? That was so helpful you have no idea.
...And I'm running out of ways to praise this game. It's just so good.
And now, because I'm weird, I'm going to go on a second rant - that is, mixing The Legend of the Legendary Heroes and Pokémon together in ways that make waaaaaaay too much sense.
As I mentioned above, I named Zekrom after Ryner.
If it had been Reshiram, I would have named him after Lucile.
Let's put it this way.
Reshiram and Zekrom were once the same Pokémon (likely at least related to Kyurem), a dragon who helped twin heroes to create Unova. But the heroes started to fight - the older twin sought truth, and the younger sought ideals. The dragon split into two, and while Reshiram sided with the older twin, Zekrom sided with the younger. They fought, they were evenly matched, stuff happened.
The Lonely Demon known as All Equations split himself into the Weaver of All Equations (later devoured by Lucile Eris) and the Solver of All Equations (later merged with Ryner Lute) in order to help the Black Fallen Hero in his goals. The Hero was later devoured by Sion, and... well, I'll let this speak for me.
Sion's Mad Hero side that Lucile supports: "No, you are not Alpha. Then do not hinder me. I shall become ‘true’." (episode 24)
Sion's ...Sion side that Ryner supports: "I’ll do it, Ryner. I’ll become king of this land and change everything. I’ll make the world you once desired. So, Ryner… join me." (episode 2)
The side that seeks truth is supported by Lucile (who is therefore Reshiram). The side that seeks ideals is supported by Ryner (who is therefore Zekrom). Ryner even has the right typing, with Izuchi and everything! (Though I admit, I've never seen Lucile have anything to do with fire... then again, what is the Weaver's power, exactly? He didn't really show off much in the anime other than being everywhere at once...)
You have NO IDEA how much amusement I've been getting out of this. (I even kind of want to draw it! Despite my art skills being crappy.)