5th Gen Past and future!

[Ho-Oh]

In Black and White, time difference was important, in that Opelucid was set in the past, and in the future, depending on the version. The sequels had past and the future mattering as part of the fact that it referenced Unova's past, and was set in Unova's future. The games also often made reference to the past of certain characters, such as N, Ghetsis, and so on!

Do you like that the fifth generation was based so heavily upon the past and the future differences? Can you think of any other things in the games that are based around past/present? Do you think that having time difference as something important made the fifth generation more interesting than others? Share your thoughts!

 

[Hikamaru]

(Yay first post in this thread)

I have to say I loved how 5th Gen was based a lot on the past and future, as shown in several differences with the locations between versions. Some notable ones include Opelucid City, Mistralton City (with the greenhouses in Black/Black 2 and the vegetable patches in White/White 2), Route 4 in Black 2/White 2 and also Reversal Mountain (shown as an active volcano in W2 and a dormant one in B2). In B2/W2, the Memory Link further expands on it, along with Challenger's Cave and Route 10 collapsing, and a new Victory Road being rebuilt, as well as Join Avenue replacing the gate between Route 4 and Nimbasa City, the new Nimbasa Gym and also the change of layouts in the B/W Gyms returning in B2/W2, along with the retirement of Icirrus, Nacrene and Striaton City's Gyms, which then got replaced by the Gyms in Aspertia, Virbank and Humilau City. Not to mention the Cold Storage's conversion to the Pokemon World Tournament, and the changes with Black City and White Forest between the games. Even the Hiker on Route 7 who you traded a Boldore for his Emolga in B/W, trades you a Gigalith in B2/W2 for an Emolga.

The reference to the past and future with the characters was heavily evident too, notably Cheren, Bianca, Iris, Elesa and Ghetsis changing in appearance between the two years separating B/W from B2/W2, Alder retiring as Champion with Iris replacing him, Bianca becoming Juniper's assistant, Cheren becoming Aspertia City's Gym Leader and also the ex-Team Plasma members (along with Anthea, Concordia and Rood) gathering in a building in Driftveil City. And also, Nate/Rosa and their rival Hugh not knowing much about the past events from B/W until the later part of B2/W2, such as hearing about N, the Plasma Frigate, and "the trainer from two years ago" (aka Hilbert/Hilda). Also, the Kami Trio and the Legendary not owned by N was caught by Hilbert/Hilda canonically, hence why they couldn't be obtained in B2/W2 without trading (or Dream Radar in case of the Kami Trio).

The fact the games of 5th Gen were based around this was what made them very well thought and why it's my fave generation of Pokemon, and will be for many years to come. The major differences between the games are probably the most elaborate of any main Pokemon game, since with previous generations, the only major difference between their paired versions was version exclusive Pokemon. It was one of the main reasons why I loved these games so much, and with this story on past and future added on to those major differences between games.

Thumbs up if you think this was well-constructed.

 

[Golurks Were Meant to Fly]

I wouldn't say that Gen V was based quite as much on past/future, but more on the old and the new. I, for one, really liked this whole concept! It was interesting to see how different the region felt just by the changes to the cities alone. Plus, I loved how each legendary kind of symbolized either old or new, with Zekrom being an electric (new energy) type and looking ery sleek, whereas reshiram was fire (old energy) type and looked very elegant and archaic. Also, between the two games there were the starting towns, the old traditional Nuvema town, and the newer Aspertia City. Route 4 in B2W2 is also an interesting case of past/future, which I think is really interesting. I think the old/new/past/future difference in the Gen V games was very interesting. And I also think it was a great way to transition to all of the new that Unova brought.