Don’t underestimate Poké mon Black Version 2 . Rather than just a slightly expanded repackaging of the latest generation’s core titles (a la Pokémon Yellow, Crystal, Emerald or Platinum), this direct sequel breaks the Pokémon mid-generation mold by offering a brand new adventure in the Unova region. What you might expect is more of the same - and for the most part, that’s what you get. Considering the caliber of what came before , this certainly isn’t a bad thing - but Black 2 manages to complement this “same” with some truly apt refinements and a stunning amount of fresh content. The final result is a game that features some of the most cinematic moments the franchise has ever seen, and the most fully realized Pokémon game to ever make use of the DS hardware.

Loading

Loading

To start, it’s important to understand that Pokémon Black 2 doesn’t seek to upend the basic Pokémon formula, simply to refine and expand it. You can expect to employ the same expertly crafted, turn-based mechanics as ever, catch a variety of fantastical creatures and acquire eight gym badges - but don’t let the similarities fool you. Pokémon Black 2 also offers an overwhelming amount of new content. In addition to new main characters, new areas and a new storyline, the revamped Unova region supplies copious amounts of entertainment for your journey to Victory Road.Gyms have always played an important role in the Pokémon experience, and they’re at their best in Black 2. The gyms themselves are far grander than in previous games. You’ll find Elesa’s roller coasters supplemented by a booming catwalk, Burgh’s gym covered in silk cocoons – and, while I won’t spoil it for you, suffice to say that Drayden’s domain presents an epic homage to the dragon-tamer’s type of choice.Additional opportunities to test your team and flex your skills include the Pokémon World Tournament, a new in-game event where you can face off against gym leaders and champions from past titles. The inclusion of a constantly running tourney is a brilliant addition, as it provides an exciting venue for honing your battle skills, and it’s a pleasure re-challenging some of the most iconic characters from the franchise’s rich history.While battling is still the game’s main draw, a multitude of other activities round out the finely balanced experience. PokéStar Studios, for instance, lets you make miniature movies with your favorite monsters while testing your knowledge of type advantages. It’s in the same vein as the Pokémon Musicals, which are returning from Black and White - both are a tad frivolous compared to the rest of the game, but as an optional diversion they’re quite amusing if you’re in the right mood. There’s also Join Avenue, an area populated by trainers you’ve connected with via the game’s seamless IR, wireless and online communications. While it’s fun hanging out with your friends’ avatars, the main draw here is the variety of specialty shops you can encourage them to set up, each offering a range of unique goods or services for your shopping pleasure.The series continues to advance portable multiplayer in other ways as well, with additions like the revamped Entralink’s new Fun Fest Missions. The incredible thing about these quests - which range from chasing down berries to catching Pokémon - is that they allow up to 100 players to connect locally and simultaneously experience the Unova region together. Paired with the Xtransceiver, an impressive video chat feature returning from Black and White, these options present a fun way for fellow trainers to easily connect, interact, and arrange matches or trades on the fly.Pokémon collecting has also been improved for Black 2, made far easier by the game’s innovative Habitat List function. A new feature of your Pokédex, the Habitat List allows you to track which monsters you’ve encountered and caught in each location. This makes it incredibly simple to systematically clear each area, filling out your dex along the way. It’s a brilliant tool, especially for Pokémon completionists, and served to completely reignite my desire to catch ‘em all. It helps that the game boasts the largest regional Pokédex yet, with nearly 300 monsters spanning all five generations. This allows for far greater variety in the monsters you encounter, and also means there’s plenty of opportunity to fill your dex without looking to past games.A handful of other supplementary features further elevate and flesh out the experience, such as the new medal system. Medals are basically the Pokémon equivalent to achievements or trophies, and offer great incentive to challenge yourself on your Pokémon journey. The game has more than 200 medals for dedicated trainers to earn for things like checking all the trashcans for hidden items or winning lots of battles at the Battle Subway. The new Unova is also home to secret areas called Pokémon Grottoes, where you can nab yourself some rare items or monsters. Locating these grottoes is no small feat, but it’s incredibly fulfilling when you do, especially considering the variety of prizes you can collect from these regenerating hideouts.The new key system also represents a great stride for the franchise. With a handful of “keys” to collect by fulfilling certain requirements (like beating the game or capturing a certain Pokémon), Black 2 allows you to manipulate the game in ways you never could before. With the right key you can actually change the game’s difficulty from normal to either hard or easy, a first for the series. It’s a remarkably successful way to allow for further customization of your game experience, and the ability to trade keys between versions means players who don’t meet the requirements can still get in on the action.

The story presented in Black and White was easily the most captivating in series history, and Black 2 only deepens and expands the narrative set forth in those games. The renewed threat of the reformed Team Plasma (and the clash between the members who just wanted power and those who really thought N was helping Pokémon) adds fresh context and depth to this scenario, and culminates in a truly epic conclusion. While the story stands on its own, watching this arc come to a close should prove especially fulfilling for fans of Black and White.

Considering this direct sequel continues the previous game’s story (albeit with a new main hero and new motivations), it’s remarkable how fresh and new it all feels. While you revisit many of the same towns and routes, most have seen significant changes in the two years since the original games. You’ll also find several entirely new places to explore, and some of the returning areas are nearly unrecognizable. The small town of Driftveil, for instance, has positively boomed, largely thanks to the newly established Pokémon World Tournament. Returning characters have also grown with the passing of time, and it’s a great joy to see not only how Unova has changed and prospered, and but also how time has treated old friends like Cheren (now a full-fledged gym leader) and Bianca (now assisting Professor Juniper as she tries to figure herself out).As an additional reward for players who beat Black or White, Black 2 comes with the new Memory Link system, which unlocks supplementary vignettes if you link your copy of the game with your Black/White save file. While they’re not necessary for enjoying or understanding Black 2’s story, these short snippets serve to shed light on what took place in the two years between games. Linking your save files also means characters in Black 2 mention “the hero who saved Unova” by name, a cool nod for those who took the time to stop Team Plasma the first time around.Much like Black and White, Black 2 employs a blended use of 2D sprite art and 3D graphics. The resulting visual style is at its most impressive here, and the expanded yet subtle use of 3D makes for some truly epic and cinematic moments as the story progresses. Black 2 also boasts four distinct seasons. You’ll see Unova covered in powdery snow, piles of fallen leaves and puddles of fresh spring rain, visual effects that are not only lovely, but also inform the accessibility of certain areas and affect how you traverse the environment. Much like the rest of the package, the visual presentation of Black 2 perfectly realizes the potential of the Pokémon series on DS hardware. The fog in the trees, the sweeping caves and mountains fading into the distance, your footprints in the sand and reflection in the water - small touches like these make for a beautiful and memorable world that is brimming with life.