Why do Poketards whine that "OMG THESE POKEMAN LOOK UGLY!!1!11!11"...? Just suck it up and play the actual damn game. I only look for good gameplay, not good character design.
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Anyways, I'm a Pokemon hater, but here's some more details about the upcoming game:
In a huge turn for the series, the setting his time around in "Pokémon Black・White" is overseas. The stage of this adventure is the "Isshu Region," which uses America's New York as its motif. A new adventure begins in this land known as the "racial melting pot," often referred to as "the center of the world."
The buildings and interiors that show up on the screen are drawn in 3D CG, emphasizing the feeling of actually being there.
They also mention the Brooklyn Bridge as being the basis for the Sky Arrow Bridge. ;D
EDIT: The new Iwata Asks is up (in Japanese). Masuda again confirms that New York is the basis for Isshu. The name "Isshu" derives from the Sino-Japanese 一種, meaning "one kind." He further explains that, while America is clearly made up of all different kinds of people, when looked at from afar, even such a varied place appears to be "one kind"--emphasizing humanity as the constant thread, it seems.
Part 1: Making The Second Main Series Game on the DS
Masuda says he always wanted to make 2 titles for the DS (Being Gens 4 and 5), especially because the DS is so popular worldwide. There were very aware that having a second title on DS could mean the games would feel the same, and have done their best to avoid that with these games.
He realised ideas like "Go to a Pokemon Centre and trade" were fixed in his mind and did his best to break them down, because he's been working on the games since the start. They took this as an oppurtunity to re-evaluate rules and systems in the game.
They wanted to make the games more accessible to older players to lower the number of people who were "growing out" of Pokemon. Stuff like adding Kanji to make it easier to read.
The producer of the games (Iwahara (?)), was very happy when Masuda suggest all these radical changes to the games. He says even he had the idea that each generation of Pokemon games had to come out on a different system, but because of the DS's long life and popularity worldwide he was glad for the freedom that creating on the same platform gave them. Iwahara, who Iwata calls a 'veteran' of the series thought "Can it be changed that much? Can we really pull it off" when Masuda told him of the changes that he wanted.
Sugimori thought Masuda's suggestions were a bit crazy. When he was told all the Pokemon would be new he said "Gimme a break! Couldn't we lower the number a bit?" but Masuda refused to budge. Iwata comments that Masuda is stubborn, and Masuda agrees.
Part 2: The Brand New World of Pokemon
Sugimori said he was resistant to Masuda's ideas, but also says that he knew Masuda was not mistaken. There were around 200 pages of planning sheets for new features, explaining exactly what crossing a bridge would mean, or how we'd show the player going into someone else's game world. They didn't do it with DP this way, in fact this is the first time they have. This was to do with all the new challenges they were facing with these games. Once again, they confirm that they used New York as a motif. This was primarily to fulfill the goal of giving these games a new feel, and also so he could have a concert there (like they do in Japan in the region where the games are based off, using music from the relevant games. Apparently), but it might be impossible this time. After deciding this they began deciding where to place towns etc. In doing so they visited the Museum of Modern Art.
tl;dr version: New Pokemon numbers, new features that could have some DRASTIC changes to the franchise. The region this time is gonna be based off New York. I feel violated that me and Cook's homestate is gonna be in a Pokemon game. =(
Serebii.net:
* There are 156 new Pokémon within this generation; 153 within normal gameplay and further 3 event Pokémon (#647, #648 & #649) that will be distributed in a manner similar to Darkrai, Shaymin & Arceus in the previous generation
* In regards to a few numbers and details;
o #633 through #635 are a Dark/Dragon-type evolution chain
o #638 is a Steel/Fighting-type Legendary
o #639 is a Rock/Fighting-type Legendary
o #640 is a Grass/Fighting-type Legendary
o #641 is a Pure Flying-type Legendary
o #642 is an Electric/Flying-type Legendary
o Reshiram is to be #643
o Zekrom is to be #644
o #645 is a Ground/Flying-type Legendary
o #646 is a Dragon/Ice-type Legendary
o #647 is a Water/Fighting-type Event Legendary
o #648 is a Normal/Psychic-type Event Legendary
o #649 is a Bug/Steel-type Event Legendary
* In Hiun City, the boats will take you to various islands.
Remember, there is a chance that this will change prior to release of the game.
tl;dr version: List of new Pokemon and their elements so far.
Last but not least, some screenshots:
img]http://pokebeach.com/news/0910/corocoro-pages-4-5.jpg[/img]
Ok, let me explain what's going on.
First image:
Yanappu - Grass - Grass Monkey Pokemon - 0.6m - 10.5kg - Gluttony. It knows Acrobat.
Baoppu - Fire - High Temperature Pokemon - 0.6m - 11.0kg - Gluttony. Knows a new move called "Flame Burst" which damages nearby opponents.
Hiyappu - Water - Wave Splash Pokemon - 0.6m - 13.5kg - Gluttony. Knows a new move called "Boiling Water" which is Water-type but can Burn.
Emonga - Electric/Flying - Flying Squirrel Pokemon - 0.4m - 5.0kg. Has a new attack called "Eleci Ball" that increases in damage depending on your speed in comparison to the opponent's speed.
One of Victini's new attacks is named Flame Sphere and it inflicts Burn. It hits all Pokemon on the field, even your own.
Second image:
Basurao - Violent Pokemon - Water - Reckless / Adaptability. Has two forms, as shown in the scan; the form you encounter depends on the version you have.
Yorterrie - Puppy Pokemon - Normal - Vital Spirit / Pick-Up. Based on a Yorkie. Has a new attack called "Cheer Up" which raises its Attack and Special Attack.
Choroneko - Bad Cat Pokemon - Dark - Limber / Acrobatic. The "Acrobatic" ability is not to be confused with Yanppu's Acrobat attack. N owns a Choroneko.
Desukaan - Coffin Pokemon - Ghost - Mummy. When attacked, the attacking Pokemon's ability is turned into Mummy as well. The Japanese for the ability sounds like "Mirror" so it's a pun because the ability keeps reflecting.
Ononokusu - Chin Horn Pokemon - Dragon - Rivalry / Mold Breaker. Has a new attack called "Dragon Tail" but we can't make out the effect - it has something to do with the opponent's next turn. It might force them to switch Pokemon like Roar or Whirlwind.
Denchura - Electric Spider Pokemon - Bug/Electric - Compoundeyes / Tension. Its "Tension" ability prevents the opponent's Pokemon from eating Berries.
Doryuuzu - Earth's Core Pokemon - Ground/Steel - Sand Gun / Sand Power. It knows a Ground-type attack called "Drill Liner" which has a high critical hit rate.
Third image:
Buffalon - Headbutt Cow Pokemon - Normal - Reckless / Herbivore. Knows a new attack called "Afro Break" which is a sort of Counter attack. It has an afro and its name is a pun on this, which is where "Afro" Break comes from. Only Buffalon knows this attack.
Dangoro - Mantle Pokemon - Rock - Sturdy. Has a new attack called "Drop Down" where it knocks Flying-types out of the sky, though it causes recoil damage.
Mebukijika - Shikijika's evolution - Season Pokemon - Normal/Grass - Herbivore / Chlorophyll. Its appearance changes with the season like its pre-evolution.
Tabunne - Healing Pokemon - Normal - Healing Heart / Regenerate. It knows a new attack called "Heal Wave" which restores its allies' HP. The Chansey / Nurse Joy Pokemon of this region?
Monmen - Cotton Ball Pokemon - Grass - Mischievous Heart / Pickpocket. Only available in Black.
Churine - Root Pokemon - Grass - Chlorophyll / Own Tempo. Only available in White.
Tamagetake - Mushroom Pokemon - Grass / Poison - Effect Spore - It's got a freakin' Poke Ball mushroom on its head. Since it looks like a Poke Ball, it surprises his opponents; that's where the "tamage" in his name comes (from "tamageru," to surprise). Obviously the Voltorb of this region. It has an attack called "Clear Smoke" that resets status changes.
Fourth Image:
Jyanobii - Tsutarja evolution - Grass - Grass Snake Pokemon - 0.8m - 16.0kg - Overgrow
Chaobuu - Pokabu's evolution - Fire/Fighting - Fire Pig Pokemon - 1.0m - 55.5kg - Blaze
Futachimrau - Mijumaru's evolution - Water - Meditation Pokemon - 0.8m - 24.5kg - Torrent
Since the above evolutions turned out to be real, that means the final stages that were leaked with them are real as well.
Reshiram's signature attack is Cross Fire while Zekrom's is Cross Thunder. When one of them is hit by the other's signature attack, their signature attack attack becomes more powerful. These attacks were first seen in a commercial last week.
Fifth Image:
Dento (Grass),
Poddo (Fire), and
Kon (Water) are the Sanyou City Gym Leaders. As stated in the previous post, the Gym specializes in Grass, Fire, and Water. Depending on the Starter Pokemon you choose, you will face the Gym Leader of the type that is stronger than you (like when you battle your rival in previous games). They will use their elemental monkeys and possibly other Pokemon of their type.
The magazine is recommending to use Chaobuu, Pokabu's first evolution, against Aloe. Since it's part-Fighting it has super effective attacks against her Normal-types.
Sixth Image:
In the Dream World, which you play on your PC, you encounter wild Pokemon on Dream Island. Different Pokemon are in different areas, such as Aerodactyl in the sky and Lotad or Magikarp in ponds. You can capture these non-Isshu Pokemon and then transfer them over to your game when you're done.
Makomo lends you her Munna so that you can access the Dream World.
You can play mini-games in the Dream World, and if you perform well, the Pokemon you play with will come back with you to Black and White.
You can also trade Items with other characters.
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I pretty much applaud GameFreak for finally attempting some new features and actual fresh gameplay, and so far, these features are a great sign for the future of Pokemon. This might be the next Pokemon game I will get ever since I got Pokemon Blue and stopped there lol. =P
Also, i'm finally happy that GF decided to actually put in some BLACK CHARACTERS. Jesus, not everybody in the world is white/asian, you know, Ninty. =P
