Max Frequency

Pokémon Black Notes

Truths and ideals are put to the test in one of the Pokémon franchise's most philosophical entries. The DS style was cemented and Game Freak really tried to expand and evolve the formula. You'd be hard pressed to find more robust entries.

Warning

Spoilers below!

Stats

  • Started Playing: 2023-10-05
  • Beat: 2023-11-18
  • Total Playtime: 41:35:00 hours

Legacy

  • HOPES. DREAMS. DISCOVERIES.
  • Legacy issues with gear/wireless features. C-Gear in this case, but prevalent in the older games. Design and support of “in the moment.”
    • Pokéwalker same thing. I feel out of time with this game.
  • Wind Waker to OoT moment, where I was thought “oh that’s from WW! Oh wait, this came first.” Similar here.
  • The biggest problem is how I/we played. Crunched for time. I don't have the time or attention span for this type of game any more. Portable is not for me. Preparing for battle with you. It's hurt my experience with this game.

Graphics/Performance

  • Particles falling (leaves, petals, snow, etc.)
  • Pushing the blend of 2D sprites and 3D graphics on DS
  • Trying to make it as 3D as possible
  • Love the sprite animations. More lively than subsequent 3D models

Gameplay

  • Why is the PC on the left?
  • Okay. Real cool with the weak type first gym match
  • Only 3~ Pokémon so far, besides starters. The rat, the dog, and the cat. Weak.
    • But just go to the Dreamyard and get the advantage type monkey
  • lots of “let’s have a battle!” interruptions early on. Flow is choppy.
  • These interruptions are obnoxious. And back to back. No time to heal.
  • Three rivals is far too many!
  • Game play is fast.
  • The leveling has me feeling always 4-5 levels too low. Grinding for gym 5. Not enough EXP (not a share issue.) Poor level pacing given you are fighting constantly.
    • Gym 8 is Levle 43-45? Seems low leveled for end game gym. But the EXP rate is slow.
  • I’m gonna have an aneurysm if I have one more “let’s battle!” moment

Music/Sound Design

  • Not sure about this friends battle theme. Too bouncy in a jubilant way.
    • Trainer battle is much better.
  • I dig the Plasma Grunt battle theme
  • N theme?
  • Celestial Tower
  • Lame that Ghetis didn't have a bumping battle theme
    • "This is literally the One-Winged Angel of Pokemon Ghetsis is literally the embodiment of fear, has a theme song that involves chanting his name and a missing body part, he’s the Pokemon equivalent of Sephiroth" - YT comment 🙃

World

  • Cheren and Bianca. Who is my rival?
    • So many rivals!
  • Starts in "Summer"
    • Seems to just tie with the actual calendar of the system
  • Kind of wish it committed to the old timey bit.

Story

  • So far, go fill Dex. The opening anime cutscene indicates a king of some sort.
  • Getting FF3 vibes from Plasma
    • I wish they leaned more into this. Feels like a have step. Cool vibe, lacking world
  • Team Plasma is all knights/ye olde style
  • Plasma is hypocritical about freeing Pokémon from trainers while being trainers themselves.
  • N struggles with putting Pokémon in pain. Sees the hypocrisy of battling to free Pokémon.
  • Chern is trying to find meaning in living by being Champ
  • Really struggle with the whole hypocrisy of the bad guys.

Pokémon Black 1 Team

  • Amoonguss (Grass/Poison)
    • Location
      • Foongus, Route 6, 15%
    • Evolution - level 39.
    • Moves
      • Giga Drain ✅
      • Spore (lvl 62)
      • Rage Powder (lvl 54)✅
      • Protect (TM 17) ✅
  • Chandelure (Ghost/Fire)
    • Location
      • Litwick, Celestial Tower
    • Evolution, Dusk Stone
    • Moves
      • Trick Room (TM 92)✅
      • Heat Wave✅ / Overheat
      • Shadow Ball (lvl 53)✅
      • Protect / Imprison (go with protect)✅
  • Jellicent (Water/Ghost)
    • Location
      • Frillish, Routes 4, 17, 18 with Surf
    • Evolution, level 40
    • Moves
      • Scald (TM 55)✅
      • Recover (lvl 17) ✅
      • Will-O-Wisp ✅ or Toxic (TM 06)
      • Trick Room (TM 92)✅
    • Item - Sitrus Berry
  • Eelektross (Electric)
    • Location
      • Tynamo, Chargestone Cave, 2%-8%
    • Evolution, elec stone (second evolution is lvl 39)
    • Moves
      • Wild Charge (lvl 59)
      • Acrobatics (TM 62) ✅
      • Rock Slide (TM 80) ✅
      • Protect (TM 17)✅
  • Hydreigon (Dark/Dragon)
    • Location
      • Deino, Victory Road, 20%
    • Evolution, level 64
    • Moves
      • Draco Meteor (move tutor, black 2) / Dragon Pulse (lvl 32)
      • Dark Pulse (Black 2 move tutor, Lentimas Town, blue shards)
      • Fire Blast (TM 38) / Earth Power (8 blue shards)
      • Protect✅
  • Gothitelle
    • Location
      • Gothorita, Route 9, 30%
    • Evolution, lvl 41
    • Moves
      • Trick Room (TM 92)✅
      • Psychic (lvl 29)✅
      • Shadow Ball (TM 30)✅
      • Protect (TM 17) ✅