We're a little more than a month away from the release of Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 in Japan, and then at some point this fall, the games will drop here in North America and Europe. While these games do take place in the same region as Pokemon Black and White, and share a lot of similarities, there are some notable changes coming. While there still isn't a whole lot of information available yet, there's enough to already be excited about. So lets go over what we already know about the newest entries into the Pokemon series.
Oh just one note, I'm going to assume Nintendo of America will rename a lot of this new stuff when the localize the game over this summer, so just keep in mind most of the new city and character names will not be staying the same.
The Region
Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 will be taking place in the Unova region, same as the first pair of games, and you will visit many of the places you've already been to. However there are some changes to the are this time around. A significant portion of the areas you visited in the first Black and White, including the first few starting towns, are now covered with glacial ice. So a new section of Unova in the southwest has been added as the new starting area. The starting town is a place called Hiougi City, and unlike the past starting areas it's a fairly sizable place. It even has a Pokemon Center and an area where you can look out over the mountains in the distance. Not much else has been revealed about the other new areas, though there have been some screenshots out, one of which shows an underwater tunnel covered with glass that allows you to look at Mantine as they swim by. Some of the existing areas have also been updated as well. The area that was under construction along Route 4 has been completed, and Driftveil City appears to have undergone major changes as well. An interesting thing to note is that the Pokemon League area is part of the chunk of the map covered in ice, and there doesn't appear to be a replacement for it. This could mean that the story of the game will involve saving the areas covered in ice, or perhaps we're in the dark about something else (a distinct possibility.)
Characters
Obviously we'll be introduced to a host of characters both new and old in Black 2 and White 2. There is a new rival and protagonist, with the usual options for both. There is also a new professor, Akuroma. Aside from those new faces there are also several new gym leaders, including Homika, a punk rock looking girl who specializes in poison type Pokemon, and Shizui who is a new water type gym leader. Returning characters so far include Bianca, who is now an aide for Professor Juniper, who gives you your first Pokemon. Cheren also returns as the first gym leader you face. He will specialize in normal type Pokemon. Alder will also be reappearing, though to what extent isn't known yet. While very little else is confirmed, you can expect a fair few other familiar faces to pop up (more on that later).
Pokemon
Obviously at the core of any Pokemon game are the Pokemon themselves. The entire Unova region pokedex will obviously be returning, there will also be some of the older Pokemon in the game this time around. If you don't remember, Pokemon Black and White did not have any of the previous 493 Pokemon in it's regions, except for a few areas unlocked after you beat the game. This time around, while not every Pokemon will be available for capture, there will be more than enough to mix things up a bit. Flaffy, Metagross, Psyduck, and Lucario are among the confirmed Pokemon you can catch this time around. There are two new legendary Pokemon coming as well, Keledo and Melotta. Keledo is associated with the trio of Virizion, Cobalion, and Terrakion. There are also the two new version mascots, Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. It is unclear whether these are two distinct Pokemon, or if they are simply two new forms for Kyurem, or if it is a form for Reshiram and Zekrom. The roaming trio from Black and White are also getting new forms called Sacred Beast Forme. These can only be caught in the Pokemon AR game coming this summer in Japan (with good chances of being released elsewhere later.)
Story
This is the one area that has been pretty sparse in information. Apart from the things I've already mentioned, there is little else that has been revealed. Nobody knows what has become of N, but that's really the only thing we have heard thus far. So....basically we don't know much.
Other Things
Replacing the Pokemon Musicals is Pokewood, a place where you can go and make a movie of some sort with your Pokemon. There aren't any details on what this is like, or if it's a mini game of some sort, but it sounds pretty interesting. Pokemon Global Link is also returning, along with the Dream World. There will be new areas for you to explore there, though that's about all we know as of now. There is also now something called the Pokemon World Tournament. In this area you can battle gym leaders and elite four members from previous games, which is really cool. Because of the wide variety of possible combatants, this is assumed to be something unlocked after you beat the game, but you know what they say about assumptions...
So that's about all we know. Not a whole lot, but plenty to already have me excited, and you should be too. Post some comments, and lets hear what you think about the changes coming or what you'd like to see. Don't be shy, even if I know you do it anyway!
Image Sources:
#1. http://www.pocketmonsters.net/images/episodes/1354/segments/4f6230564df98.jpeg
#2. http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/nintendo/pokemon/black-and-white/2/pokemonbw2jap__610.jpg
#3. http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2012/04/pokemon414.jpg
#4. http://media.nintendo-gamer.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pokemon.jpg
#5. http://geek.pikimal.com/files/2012/05/When-Pokemon-contests-finally-jump-the-shark-its-Pokewood-time.png
