I’ve already discussed some initial impressions on Pokemon White, but I also wasn’t expecting to actually complete the game. While I’ve played SoulSilver and Pearl, I never actually managed to beat either of them. I’ve only completed the first game, and expected Pokemon White to be much the same.

Turns out, however, that it’s easier to play through games on the 3DS than any other platform, and as a result I had nothing more to go through except finishing Pokemon. So I did, and I decided it was time to finalize some additional thoughts.

In regards to gameplay, I think Pokemon White makes a better effort than Pearl, but still fails to be as perfectly adjusted as Red and Blue. There are so many hybrid types that it is troublesome trying to come up with a basic six beast team. Toss a Pokemon out thinking you have the upper hand, and it turns out you’ve only sabotaged yourself. Your ace in the hole is not very effective and just got knocked out by a single attack.

It could also be that I not only had a strategy guide while playing Red as a kid, but the television show acted as a “tips and tricks” resource as well. It was easier to recall what Pokemon were what type and what to use against them, and gym leaders would often pull out the same Pokemon that they had in the game. It gave an opportunity for a player to strategize and plan better.

Even then, most of the Pokemon were of a single type. Hybrids were special, not common. Keeping in mind all the weakness and immunities was a lot easier to manage. Setting up a six Pokemon team was easier to decide on, and it felt like the combinations were more friendly to different types of players. The gym leaders and Elite Four were also more simple combinations as well.

Going through White, it feels like you have to really know the system in order to be truly successful at it. Anyone that plays Pokemon more casually is bound to spend a lot of time grinding, or just have a rough time getting through.

That said, the environments are still a lot more varied and friendly than Pearl was. Part of this is likely due to starting with 150 brand new Pokemon from scratch, a decision I was glad of. It helped revive that feeling of discovery from the original games.

As it is, I’d say that White is the most well-balanced of the games since Red and Blue.

The story, on the other hand, I believe reinforces some of my earlier thoughts that I’ve already posted. To recap, I feel like Pokemon is a perfect series for the roughly twelve year old audience it is seeking. Sure, it appeals to younger and older alike, but that twelve year old age group is a special match. A time when young children are starting to transform (or “evolve”, tee hee) into full grown adults. They begin to find their own inner ambition and dreams. They want to be treated as adults. They want to be something more than just a child.

While the conflict presented between the protagonists and Team Plasma is greatly simplified, Pokemon White delivers a message, and bluntly so, that is important for everyone.

Just because we disagree does not necessarily mean that we are enemies.

Unfortunately it turns out the bad guys were “wrong” all along. Their goal was to sever the connection between human and their Pokemon to set them free. The “villain”, a character merely named N, truly believed that his actions were right. However, by the end he realizes that most Pokemon long to be with their trainers and working together can be stronger.

Nonetheless, all of the characters are willing to try and reason with N, no matter what the situation. They do not care that he disagrees. What they dislike is forcing his will upon others.

This is a valuable lesson for anyone becoming an adult. In truth, few people develop the necessary skills to debate and discuss like adults. It is why America’s political climate is such a divisive mess.

A game like Pokemon White trying to teach future generations of children to be kind and agree to disagree is just what we need to be teaching our youth. It’s a valuable lesson, and I do wish it was taught just a bit better.

Of course, plenty of people my age saw Fern Gully and watched Captain Planet as children and yet they respond to environmentalism with a wanking gesture. So it could be this stuff just goes in one ear and out the other.

Even so, I’d like to hope that a handful of children will look back and reflect on that as they grow up.