8 replies to this topic

[flyingace24]

As the topic says, I'm thinking of getting back into Pokemon and wanted to know what's a good game to get me back in it. Mind you I haven't played since Diamond and Pearl, so I've missed a good two generations of changes. Should I try out Black/White to ease the transition? Should I just skip to X/Y? Or go back to something familiar with Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire? Thanks for the help in advance.

[^Leo^]

OR/AS was fun for me, and i hadn't played since the gba games.

[kirant]

I'd say X/Y with EXP Share turned off is the way to go.  X/Y is a far superior game to OR/AS in my mind though that might be because I have always loved playing virtual paper dolls...I'd play the hell out of "Character Creator: The Game"...which is probably why I'm so tempted to buy Black Desert and never enter the MMO part of it.

 

Objectively, I'd say OR/AS is far too close to my least favourite "main" Pokemon game.  Black/White is similar enough but smooths out some of Hoenn's biggest issues.  The Black and White games feels more dynamic in narrative...though that's not saying much.

 

X/Y is just as weak in narrative as OR/AS but you really don't need the familiarity.  Pokemon is Pokemon is Pokemon.  There is minimal difference between 4th and 5th Generation Pokemon.  5th and 6th just introduces Mega Evolution.  The possible upside of having a new story to play through as well as doing something no other main Pokemon gives (that is, create a character to you liking) is probably worth more than having your hand held into the same story again.  Remember, this is a game with a fairly low entry point in lore.  You're a 10 year old, beat up trainers/wild Pokemon, become Champion.  And something about an evil organization.

 

Long story short:

 - If you'd like a slightly interesting though still mostly generic narrative, play Black/White.  You basically fight PETA

 - If you want a technical upgrade, play X/Y

 - If you just want to play the same as before, play OR/AS

[^Leo^]

To be fair outside of story stuff which is hardly important to Pokémon, or/as is very much different from the gba r/s/e. It's also worth noting the sheer number of legendary Pokémon available if that's a big thing for you

[flyingace24]

Yeah I'm not super concerned with the story. Just the gameplay. I used to play competitively during the previous generations. I was thinking of playing OR/AS simply because it's newer and probably has the most up-to-date mechanics, but X/Y does look like the overall better experience. So far, I'm leaning toward X/Y.

[kirant]

Yeah I'm not super concerned with the story. Just the gameplay. I used to play competitively during the previous generations. I was thinking of playing OR/AS simply because it's newer and probably has the most up-to-date mechanics, but X/Y does look like the overall better experience. So far, I'm leaning toward X/Y.

if you want to play competitive, it's X/Y if you want familiarity.  I think DPPt is probably closest to X/Y in the competitive scene (where Sand Offence is probably best defined as a balanced team).  There are some threats which demand an aggressive solution but you can play balanced or even stall decently well.

 

Black/White and OR/AS are hyper offence.  The existence of endless weather (Black/White) and some powerful Megas/Hoopa Unbound (OR/AS) make the battles forced into offensive slogs.  Stall is practically impossible in either environment.  Doesn't stop me from trying when I played those environments...but it's practically a dead style.

[Blue Leafeon]

Most people I know really dislike X/Y for the "pacing" problems, but then again, these are the same people who think "too much water" is a legit reason to give OR/AS a mediocre score, even after Game Freak's attempts to make the water travel less annoying. (Reducing encounter rates and making more sea trainers use NON-water Pokemon.)

 

I personally really enjoy X/Y--my biggest qualm is having 5 freaking rivals that have to stop you in your journey for the most stupid things. Not to mention other absolutely POINTLESS messages that are sent to you by holocast.

 

>Leaving Lumoise to go into the next route

>Gets called by one of the rivals, telling you to HURRY TO SAID ROUTE ASAP

Leafy: WELL IF YOU HADN'T CALLED ME, I'D ALREADY BE THERE.

 

I really don't recommend BW1 or 2 but that's because they're my least favorite generation. (They heavily ruined the two things I enjoy doing most in video games: EXPLORING, and DOING THINGS AT MY OWN PACE.) It was also made so that it relied heavily upon Dream World for completion, and Dream World is no longer a thing. So you'll be missing out on a lot of Pokemon/berries/etc.

 

OR/AS is really nice, and their remasters of R/S/E's music is just golden. You also don't get forced to watch a tutorial on catching Pokemon--instead, like the original games, you teach Wally how to. lol

 

If you want a completely new experience, I'd say go for X/Y. If you want some nostalgia, go for OR/AS. Either way, TURN EXP. SHARE OFF. It's the dumbest thing ever. Also, don't expect much of a challenge from either games--Game Freak has really dumbed down the AI and nerfed their Pokemon in 6th gen. :/

[Cero]

I really don't recommend BW1 or 2 but that's because they're my least favorite generation. (They heavily ruined the two things I enjoy doing most in video games: EXPLORING, and DOING THINGS AT MY OWN PACE.) It was also made so that it relied heavily upon Dream World for completion, and Dream World is no longer a thing. So you'll be missing out on a lot of Pokemon/berries/etc.

lolwut, dream world is in now way relied on at all.

 

Anyways, each of the games have merit to them but I recommend XY the least. The actual game is pretty weak and so easily breakable even with the exp share turned off. And the game does suffer from pacing problems in both gameplay and story such as having like 3 towns in between the first and second gym then just dumping all of them on you in succession after that. Also there is very little post game content so it doesn't have much lasting power. Also it rides a lot on nostalgia, even moreso than ORAS, things like dumping the kanto starters on you and more it just really makes it a weak region overall. 

 

BW and BW2 are fun and have the most developed narrative in the games but you said you're not interested in story much at all so it doesn't really matter, but BW2 have the Pokemon World Tournament which is just a really cool thing to fihgt all the past leaders and champions along with remixed music, it's pretty rad. 

 

ORAS is definitely the way to go since it gives you the most bang for your buck. It has an incredibly meaty main and post game and lets you get most of the legendaries giving you a lot to work for, though getting like two of the mega stones can be a huge pain in the ass if you're not using cheats/trading with someone else. It's easily the most refined of the games so I say go with it. 

[flyingace24]

but BW2 have the Pokemon World Tournament which is just a really cool thing to fihgt all the past leaders and champions along with remixed music, it's pretty rad.

 

Wow. This alone makes me want to play BW2. The first two generations were my favorite ones, so being able to battle the leaders again would be cool. Honestly, this single-handedly shifted my opinion toward this generation. I totally forgot that they had a BW2. It depends on how awesome this feature is, and I want to learn more about it. Is it worth it for just this section? I also like stuff like the Battle Frontier. I played the hell out of that in Platinum.