20 Years Young.
Graphic Design Major.
Apple enthusiast.
Passionate photographer.
Christ follower
My day-by-day journey through the all new Unova region of Pokémon Black
March 7th, 2011, the day after Pokemon Black and White arereleased in the US, I decide to make a quick run to Wal-mart to pick up a copy, among some other unrelated things. My local Wal-mart only had two copies of the game left, and both of them were Pokemon Black. I drove home eagerly anticipating the moment I get to first play the game. As soon as I get home, I grab my Nintendo DSi XL and remove Pokemon HeartGold to be replaced with Pokemon Black. Before I know it, the opening movie in the game is playing. My initial impression is "huh, what-the-junk is this?" It seemed like something out of Final Fantasy instead of a Pokemon game. Then, it transitioned into another short introductory clip that showcased each of the starter Pokemon like they were stars in a television sitcom. The standard menu came up after the movie with all the standard options for a DS Pokemon game. Not until I clicked 'New Game', did I begin to notice that this was very different from past games in the series. First, the professor in this game, for the first time in Pokemon history is a woman. Her name is Professor Juniper. I wasn't that surprised by that though because, come on, we (the United States) came very close to having our first female president in the 2008 election! Even the Pokemon that the Professor introduces at the beginning of every Pokemon game was different this time. Long gone is Marril, and in its place is a cute little cat-like Pokemon, whom I have not encountered yet (obviously), so I do not know what that species is called. After Juniper's spiel about the incredible world of Pokemon (like I haven't heard that one before!), she asked me for my name. Like in every Pokemon game I have ever owned, I simply go with the name "Alex." I know what you're thinking--"How original, Alex!"-- Well, I chose it because I will never have to worry about explaining the name I picked to others and risk creating a name that I later regret! Finally, I was whizzed away to the center of Nuvema town, where I meet up with two in-game friends named Cheren (male) and Bianca.
I feel like I all ready know them, when in reality we just met yesterday. There personalities are a bit cliche, but our conversations are quite humorous. Professor Juniper tells the three of us to go up to my virtual room because she has a present for each of us (I wonder what it is!). From what I've noticed in this game, all the houses and buildings are much bigger on the inside than in previous games. Frankly, I think the disk space used to make them bigger could have been used for additional features or Pokemon. Currently, there really is no reason for them to be that roomy when most are used for decoration anyway.
I was the first to choose my very own Pokemon from the gorgeously wrapped gift box sitting on my desk. The choices were Snivy, the ugly-as-hell grass type snake with legs; Tepig, the cute fire type pig; and Oshawott, the depressed water type otter. After much last-minute consideration (about 15 seconds), I chose Oshawott because in Pokemon Diamond I chose the grass type, in HeartGold I chose the fire type, so in this version I just had to choose the water type! Bianca chose Tepig, and Cheren chose Snivy. Immediately, Bianca suggested that we have our first battle right there in my room (which by the way has a totally awesome Nintendo Wii). Chenen tried to be responsible and talk her intp doing it outside instead, but had little luck. My first battle was with Bianca's Tepig. After winning the battle, the room was filled with smoke or dust. When it cleared away, I could see all the furniture moved around and little Pokemon footprints all over the floor and walls. Then, it was Chenen's turn to battle with his Snivy. Afterwards, Bianca and Chenen went downstairs to apologize to my mom for the mess, then left. My mom gave me a Xtransciever, a futuristic video calling device that is used as the game's phone feature to communicate with the game's characters. Then after a short and sweet goodbye, I set off on my adventure with my two friends.
To be continued...