Pokemon X/Y

[Neosquid]

Sakurai laughs. Masuda does not.

... Not publicly, anyways.

Stop doubting the Antichrist. He would do it.

 

[WiiAssasin]

While picking out games, I saw black/white2 and was tempted. Convince me to buy this. Pros, cons, and all that cal. Preferably the changes from 3rd gen to now.

 

[Splash_King]

Off the top'a my head...

Pros:

• Battle mechanics are better in every way imaginable. Obviously that's mainly important t' just competitive battlin', but it's still valid. In Gen 3, a shitton of Pokes were practically useless because their movepools were shittastically shallow or they had a type that was physical but only had a good special attack stat (and vice verse). That's been fixed; movepools have been updated and the "Physical-Special" split makes it so a Poke like Gyarados or Sneasel is not longer SOL. In short, you'll be able t' use whatever Pokes ya want without 'em bein' mind-numbingly terrible.
  
  
• Gen 3 has trumpets. Too many trumpets. BW does not... but srsly, BW's soundtrack is pretty decent IMO. Haven't found many Poketunes as catch any the BW ones I like since Pokemon's retro days. Wouldn't say it's a major selling point, but 'ey, good VGM is good.
  
  
• Gen 3 has absolutely no form of Wi-Fi; Gen 4 'n onward lets ya trade 'n battle over them wondrous internets. Just imagine: I'll be there t' give you all the Magikarp ya want.
  
  
• Here's an obvious one: a gaggle of new species have been added since ya left the series. It'd be absurd if you couldn't find at least a box of new ones ya adore.
  
  
• Plot's way better. Still ain't no masterpiece, but BW far exceeds the boring dribble of old games. There're actual side-characters in the game that have personalities, rather than just the protagonist and the antagonist's gruntastic team of villains.

Cons:

• XY is right around the corner, and it's gonna be far more of a fresher and improved experience than BW is. That's a guarantee. If you're not buyin' BW1/2 for really cheap (half price or less), save it for XY. Better t' buy 3DS games rather than 1DS games anyways.
  
  
• Better plotstuff doesn't apply to BW2, 'specially if you don't buy 'n play BW1.
  
  
• Pokegames are still easy. Once you remember how type match-ups go, unless your entire team is a bunch'a Patrat ya probably won't be challenged very much... not until the end/post-game.
  
  
• No Magikarp 'til the post-game.

 

[WiiAssasin]

No, I was talking about buying X/Y. Finally moving away from the ancient tile-based movement is a long overdue step in the right direction.

Have there been improvements to speed up having to grind forever?

 

[Mr. MR]

I still like tile based movement
It makes hacking it easier

 

[Neosquid]

Have there been improvements to speed up having to grind forever?

I think so, though I'm not certain. The EXP system changed in Gen V so you can grind up lower level Pokemon faster.

Looking at the new formula, the denominator also seems to have gotten smaller, which should mean that you get more EXP than in previous gens.

Also, a few more pros:

• TMs don't break
• As of XY, running is now default, and you hold B to walk
• Player character customization. Not sure on the specifics, but it may allow you to remove the goggles, since you apparently dislike them.
• Better graphics. Obviously...
• TMs don't break

 

[Mr. MR]

Con: Cutting grass is no longer possible.... last time I checked

 

[WiiAssasin]

How do I get past the grass then?

 

[Neosquid]

The game asks you if you want to spray another Repel each time one wears off.

 

[WiiAssasin]

Oh, I was talking about the shrubbery that blocks your path.

 

[Neosquid]

Oh. No, MR was talking about cutting down the literal "grass", you can still cut down trees.

 

[WiiAssasin]

Oh. No, MR was talking about cutting down the literal "grass", you can still cut down trees.

What, when was this a thing?

 

[Neosquid]

It was a thing for every game before Gen IV, I believe.

 

[Splash_King]

Could'a swore cuttin' standard tall grass was only possible in the retro games, but Nick is correct. They had it in the game up 'til Gen 3... not that it was ever useful.

No, I was talking about buying X/Y.

oh

While picking out games, I saw black/white2 and was tempted.

Confused me with that right there, and then referred to XY without namin' the games.

All the pros I mentioned still apply t' XY, not that I can see the future and whether or not the game's plot will be good like BW's. The pro mentionin' good tunes is also more notable since 3DS music doesn't really have any limits past Pokegames delt with, be it in audio capabilities or lack of memory for higher quality tunes. And speakin' of, the soundtrack is 200+ tunes strong IIRC.

Since the game ain't released yet, there ain't many more pros or cons (if any) that can be listed.

 

[Neosquid]

I doubt we'll know all the Pokemon right away. Which means that I'll have to play this largely blind, at least as far as the Pokemon themselves are concerned.

I'm conflicted about whether to be happy or sad about this. On one hand, it'll be fun to see new Pokemon firsthand. On the other hand, it'll make my roster decisions even more difficult than they already are.