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SCREWATTACK MAGAZINE - MARCH
Multiplayer:
the Kanto region to add around twice the playtime that the original had (while also adding EV training for the hardcore). Ruby/Sapphire took away that feature in favor of the new ability system and double battles. And finally, Diamond/Pearl didn’t add anything new to battling but included even more customization that no one cared about. I feared that there would be more emphasis on the battle in Black/White, but to quote the Happy Video Game Nerd, “it’s good to be wrong sometimes.” Black/White doesn’t add a new feature to battles; rather, it introduces more varied types of battles. There are two new kinds of battles, and one mechanic specifically for multiplayer. The least interesting of the pair is the triple battles, which are exactly what you’d think they are. Rotation battles are a lot more unique; just like triple battles, you have three Pokémon out, but
instead of all attacking at once, they lie on a rotator that you or the enemy can switch at any time. This rotational aspect alone adds a whole layer of strategy, in which you must think like the enemy in order to achieve victory. The “rock, paper, scissors” format of the game comes into play full swing here. Finally, the “Wonder Launcher” is a multiplayer exclusive that basically enables you to use items during multiplayer battles at the cost of a currency you build up every turn. A word of warning though: While you can play both modes online and with friends, both types are emphasized in a different version. If you have Black, then you’ll play a lot more rotational battles, and if you have White, the same goes for triple battles. What Black/White has brought to the table is more about the way you play, and not how you play it.
Game Freak has kept the multiplayer aspect of the core Pokémon games largely the same for the past 15 years. That is 100% not the case in Black/ White. Early in your adventure, you are given the device known as the “C-Gear.” This device will allow you to trade, battle, and connect to the Internet… ANYWHERE. That’s right, Pokéfans; you will never have to go to a Pokémon Center again if you want to battle your buddies. This is hands-down one of the best additions to the whole game and to the whole franchise even. Game Freak really had accessibility in mind when they were developing Black/White. No longer do you have to trudge back to the Pokémon Center just so you and your friend can trade. You can do from ANYWHERE, and you can access your PC during trade, which is a HUGE plus. The only problem with the C-Gear is that when it’s turned on, it can gobble up your DS’s power, so keep that in mind when you have it on. Aside from the usual suspects, a new and extremely unique feature has entered the ring in the form of the “Entralink.” When you connect with someone, you can enter their world and deliver certain items to them for a currency called “Pass Orbs.” You can use these orbs to buy gameplay boosts,