They are so frequent that it just seems to break of what little flow the game has left. Unfortunately, the loading times in PP2WB are frequent and long. Travelling around the Pokémon world itself is fine in that it seems large and is easily navigated using the handy map in the corner, which marks the place to go next. Again, there seemed to be a lack of consistency in play and a sense that it didn’t belong or really add to the game. In addition to shooting targets, you may also play a side-scroller style level where you jump and swim from platform to platform until you reach a determined object (in this case, a hammer for another Pokémon to fix a broken bridge). While normally it would not seem that out of place to have a shooting aspect in an adventure style game, it did not really seemed to belong. In addition to battles, players encounter mini-games such as shooting targets by pointing the Wii-mote to the screen like a gun and firing with the “A” button.
There is no upgrade to your stats or developing your Pokémon or the random encounters seen in previous games. There is little reward following a battle except for adding the defeated Pokémon to your friend list. There is not a lot of strategy involved and I often used a combination of charge and dash attacks with minimal damage to myself.
In PP2WB, battles are fought in real time and are timed. This requires some strategy, thought and good use of each Pokémon’s abilities and power. Customizing your team so it is well balanced while developing weaker Pokémon are usually part of the fun. Special items can also be used to heal your monster or power them up with stronger attacks or defence. In many of the previous Pokémon games, battle is turn-based where the player may switch between their monsters during the course of a match depending on the need. Needless to say, I was disappointed with the lack of characters.īattling other monsters should be the highlight in any Pokémon game where the rewards include level ups and obtaining new Pokémon. Unfortunately, despite encountering many different types of Pokémon, you end up using just four of the same characters (Pikachu, Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott). You may switch between these characters when you are either prevented from accessing a particular area or need a particular Pokémon in a battle that would be more advantageous. As mentioned, some allies are added to your team and become available to use during your quest as each have unique abilities, strengths and weaknesses. In your travels throughout PokePark and Wish Park, you may befriend other Pokémon if you defeat them in battle. Even just running around and trying to picking up things can be a challenge at the best of times. The controls are simple to figure out but not very responsive especially when you try to run and jump to higher elevations. The camera angle is in the third person view where it is usually behind you. Holding the Wii-mote sideways, players press the “2” button to jump and the “1” button to dash/move while the D-pad changes your direction. The start of the game provides a basic tutorial on the controls and game play. Along the way, you gain allies who will help you on your quest while completing mini-games, tasks and battling other Pokémon and enemies. It is up to you and your friends to investigate the missing Pokémon and find Piplup who is trapped in Wish Park. On the surface this park is a pleasurable area where you can eat all the cake you want but this park is responsible for confining the Pokémon who visit there. All is fine until you pay a visit to “Wish Park”. Pikachu is hanging around with his friend Piplup in PokePark. In PP2WB, you start off by playing as Pikachu who as you all know is the most recognizable Pokémon. PP2WB may look, sound and feel like a Pokémon game, it is not a stellar Pokémon game by any stretch. When I say the “other” games, I mean the turn-based ones for the handheld systems. PP2WB is essentially the opposite of what made the other games so good. Take for example the newest Pokémon game, PokePark 2: Wonders Beyond (here on in known as PP2WB) for the Wii. Thus the franchise seems to be alienating some of their more mature fans. Yes, I am a bit down on Pikachu and company but the franchise seems to be geared more towards younger and younger kids. There is just no depth to them and I just do not find them all that enjoyable. It is not because the newest games do not require a lot of strategy or the fact that they are too easy. It seems lately that the more Pokémon games I play, the more I do not like them.