5th Gen Seasons!

[Golurks Were Meant to Fly]

*didn't see a thread like this, so...

A notable new feature in Bloack and White were the seasonal shifts. Occurring every month, Unova would go through the natural cycle and the region would change. So this leaves me to wondering...

What was your favorite aspect of the seasons? Was it the visual change in the region? (and in some pokemon) Was it because different types of pokemon would appear in certain parts of the region depending on the season? Or was it because different areas of the region became accessible?

And lastly, did you find the seasons to be a monumental new feature? Did you find them cool for a moment and move on? Or were you thoroughly unimpressed?

 

[Cyclone]

Having snow in August is - well - odd. :P

Other than that, it's a nice idea, but let's be honest...the day/night system did a good job with assigning Pokémon as well. I still think Pokémon based on time of day is a nice idea. I think the reason it got left out and seasons added instead is specifically because kids are in school during the day, doing homework in the afternoon, and not playing until evening; in Johto, this meant catching lots of Hoothoot and little else outside of caves (in National Park, it was 100% after 8 p.m., in fact). This kind of thing and wanting to introduce the new Pokémon likely led to the introduction of seasons.

The only thing I wish is that they made sense; make all items accessible only in a certain season optional items (like a Star Piece, or a Nugget, or a bonus Exp. Share/Lucky Egg that is separate from the one given in the storyline) and resume the every three months idea, making sure all Pokémon can be found at all times somehow. Even bring back an old expired item (Exp. All anyone?) and put it in a very out of the way part of the overworld and hard to locate, and only available post-E4 and in winter, for instance. The problem with the three months idea, of course, is that some have summer while some have winter at the same time (winter in June anyone?), hence the months thing...and I guess you can say I hate how seasons got incorporated.

Cyclone

 

[Hikamaru]

I loved the addition of seasons cos it made the games more realistic.

When the day/night mechanic was introduced I knew Game Freak were on the right track to make the events change with real time and seasons added on to that. I like how Summer and Winter follow altered times, while Autumn and Spring follow the normal times. It added that nice touch.

Even though the seasonal cycle doesn't follow the real time seasons, they still did a nice job, especially altering wild Pokemon encounters, certain events (such as Casteliacones not being available in Winter) and even having certain items only accessible in certain seasons. (I mean, it's Winter in June in my country while it's Summer in-game)

Deerling and Sawsbuck, the Normal/Grass deer Pokemon were introduced to showcase this feature and I liked the concept of them changing forms with the season in-game. Particularly Sawsbuck's antlers acting like a deciduous tree.

I'd love to see the seasons retained in future generations cos it gives the games that realistic feeling.

 

[Miau]

I started playing in June, thus so far I've only seen summer, autumn and winter. Spring starts tomorrow :D Can't wait to see it as well, and catch a spring Deerling for the scientists on Route 6, hehe. I actually really like the concept and how they incorporated seasons into the game. I like how they only last a month, since they wouldn't have been able to sync in-game seasons with RL season no matter what, and it's not too long to get bored, yet not too short so you're able to get everything you want during that month, like catching Pokemon or getting to some areas that are only accessible during that season.

 

[KillerDucky]

i prefer winter cos new things open up then

 

[kenshin-]

On my first game on white and black, I didn't see the different seasons because I finished the main story before the new month's coming (and I don't play after).

but in these white party, I saw the winter and the spring (current season). For the moment, I think winter is better than spring in some town but there is no one I prefer.

So, It's strange I started the game in August and the game began with Winter... (my console is correctly configured).

 

[Nick]

I thought that seasons were nice aesthetically, and a few Pokémon make sense with the change of season and how easily they are to find (if you can find them at all), but apart from that, I didn't have much of an opinion on them. They did make the game a lot more realistic, but I would prefer day and night over seasons for dictating the likelihood of a Pokémon encounter. I would have much preferred it if they didn't make seasons last an entire month as well. I tend to only play through the games every few months for a few weeks, so I always end up missing a few seasons since I don't really play the game every month of the year. I think that's why I'm somewhat indifferent of seasons in the game as a whole.

 

[Cyclone]

I found out today that I screwed up and didn't look for Spheal while it was winter. I now have two options: I can change the date in my DS for a playing session, or I can just import it from another game. (Or look for a happy trader.)

It's nice for getting different Pokémon in different seasons, but in cases like this, it makes it unable to be found at other times. I dislike this. Granted, you have to wait until a certain time to get the Munchlax in the same area via a vacationer...clearly they want you to return numerous times.

Cyclone

 

[CriticalKYUC]

I liked it but I think it would have been better following real seasons, and this is possible with the 3DS, just like the Day/Night is in real time, the seasons and WEATHER could be real time.
Live in the south? Snow will be lighter or not at all in most places that don't need it.
Live in the north? Enjoy your constant blizzards.

 

[chella182]

I really liked the addition of seasons and how the season can affect certain things (trades, places you can access etc). I think it was a refreshing addition to the games. And a bit more interesting than the time thing.

 

[ZetaZaku]

I liked it but I think it would have been better following real seasons, and this is possible with the 3DS, just like the Day/Night is in real time, the seasons and WEATHER could be real time.
Live in the south? Snow will be lighter or not at all in most places that don't need it.
Live in the north? Enjoy your constant blizzards.

That would break the game to the level of it not being playable anymore. I feel that even months are too long, so three months a season would be too much. You'd probably never see spring if you start in winter. I think that they should've made a week system, but oh well, I've yet to start completing my dex seriously, so I have problems yet with the monthly system.

I don't know how the weather works though, but I like the way it works. It'd be bad if you'd get constant rain/snow just because you live in a certain area. Rain would render Tepig useless.

 

[Ho-Oh]

Yeah agreeing with previous poster about the constant weather. If only it could detect the exact weather each day but no 3DS is capable of that yet. ;(

As for my own thoughts? Seasons were an awesome feature. It made Unova ever so pretty! I wish it had more of a background role though, like blowing leaves and all, other than in Route 1.

And Cyclone, I'd... just set the clock back. XD; I do love that seasons are short and therefore if you wanted to go for the waiting method then it's not that long n_n

 

[Bossk749]

I love the seasons in B/W, but I would have liked to see seasons and day/night incorporated, and I hope they do that with the next generation. One of my favorite Pokemon this generation, Sawsbuck, really shines during the seasons which makes me happy, since I use him a lot competitively and in-game.

They work pretty great, and they last long enough so you're not yearning for more, but not too long that you're getting sick of it, just the right amount (in my opinion, anyway). I play a lot, but there isn't much to do after you've done everything, except for breeding/EV training, so it's mainly an aesthetic change for me. I am on my way to catching all 649, so I'll have to see how much the seasons interfere with that.

 

[Brendino]

I do enjoy the incorporation of seasons into the game, even if I've only personally seen Autumn and Winter in game (but I will finally see Spring when I play later).

I like that, for Winter at least, there seems to be random weather throughout the seasons, too. One day it might be snowing or hailing in one area, and the next it is clear skies.

I might have liked if the seasons were actually a little bit shorter. It took me just a little over a month to beat the game when playing on and off, so I never got to see the changes by the time I made it to Icirrus City, Twist Mountain, etc. Personally I think that a week would be way too short, but maybe if the seasons changed twice a month (ex: Spring - Sept. 1-15, Summer - Sept. 16-30, Autumn - Oct. 1-15, Winter - Oct 16-31, etc.). Then you would get the seasons changing a little more often, but it would still be more than enough time to enjoy them.

 

[Cyclone]

Yeah agreeing with previous poster about the constant weather. If only it could detect the exact weather each day but no 3DS is capable of that yet. ;(

As for my own thoughts? Seasons were an awesome feature. It made Unova ever so pretty! I wish it had more of a background role though, like blowing leaves and all, other than in Route 1.

And Cyclone, I'd... just set the clock back. XD; I do love that seasons are short and therefore if you wanted to go for the waiting method then it's not that long n_n

Funny you should say that. I'm thinking of checking my Activity Log, picking a day where I didn't do much, and recording playtime in the log for that date. During such time, I get Spheal. ;)

I'm not worried about the trade for Munchlax; I'll still be poking around on my Pokédex completion mission come October and will acquire it then.

Cyclone

 

[Ho-Oh]

Funny you should say that. I'm thinking of checking my Activity Log, picking a day where I didn't do much, and recording playtime in the log for that date. During such time, I get Spheal. ;)

I'm not worried about the trade for Munchlax; I'll still be poking around on my Pokédex completion mission come October and will acquire it then.

Cyclone

Oh well that sounds good!

I do enjoy the incorporation of seasons into the game, even if I've only personally seen Autumn and Winter in game (but I will finally see Spring when I play later).

I assume you've played by now? What's your thoughts of Spring? n_n I personally find it the most... normal looking lmao. Summer is also good, but only because of the people found at Undella.

I love the seasons in B/W, but I would have liked to see seasons and day/night incorporated, and I hope they do that with the next generation. One of my favorite Pokemon this generation, Sawsbuck, really shines during the seasons which makes me happy, since I use him a lot competitively and in-game.

You know what'd be great? If Sawsbuck changed stats during each season.

In summer, it'd be out in the sun and wouldn't specialise in anything, having the spread that it currently does:

HP - AT - DEF - SPA - SDEF - SP
80 100 70 60 70 95

Throughout Winter it's cold so its Special Defence is quite low compared to before but it spends most of its time inside training, boosting its Attack:

HP - AT - DEF - SPA - SDEF - SP
80 120 70 60 50 95

During Autumn, to prepare for Winter, it boosts its defensive stats, but gets slower as it trains.

HP - AT - DEF - SPA - SDEF - SP
80 100 80 60 80 75

In Spring it's young and energetic, but trips over more easily as it runs and hurts its defences, so it is lowered, while speed is raised.

HP - AT - DEF - SPA - SDEF - SP
80 100 50 60 70 105

n_____n

 

[Cyclone]

I see you've put a lot of thought into this.

Cyclone

 

[CriticalKYUC]

That would break the game to the level of it not being playable anymore. I feel that even months are too long, so three months a season would be too much. You'd probably never see spring if you start in winter. I think that they should've made a week system, but oh well, I've yet to start completing my dex seriously, so I have problems yet with the monthly system.

I don't know how the weather works though, but I like the way it works. It'd be bad if you'd get constant rain/snow just because you live in a certain area. Rain would render Tepig useless.

Well I do think that it could be over board, but then again the regions will only get biggeras gens progress and with the 3DS it could take a month to beat the game and explore everything. So maybe that week idea would work, but if you don't like the weather you can change it.

Sunny Day would make it sunny, melt snow and ice over time.
Hail would freeze ice and make slight amounts of snow/rain depending on the season.
Rain Dance would make lakes and ponds flood over a bit and make snow/rain depending on the season.
Defog/Cloud Nine/Air Lock would stop weather effects for a short while.

Maybe I'm think to much on this, but ideally I'd like massive open regions for gen 6.

 

[Ho-Oh]

Well I do think that it could be over board, but then again the regions will only get biggeras gens progress and with the 3DS it could take a month to beat the game and explore everything. So maybe that week idea would work, but if you don't like the weather you can change it.

Sunny Day would make it sunny, melt snow and ice over time.
Hail would freeze ice and make slight amounts of snow/rain depending on the season.
Rain Dance would make lakes and ponds flood over a bit and make snow/rain depending on the season.
Defog/Cloud Nine/Air Lock would stop weather effects for a short while.

Maybe I'm think to much on this, but ideally I'd like massive open regions for gen 6.

Yeaah I don't think that would've been too likely in B/W, sadly. From the original screenshots I remember hoping route 1 was frozen, and that we found Virizion there (lol idk why), and the weather effects carried onto there but unfortunately it wasn't. :(

 

[Squirrel]

I thought the aesthetic change in Winter was amazing, I loved the Unova region covered in snow, plus the animation at the start was adorable in the snow <3 I also really liked how new items/places became available in different seasons and how the Pokémon in the area changed, although it did get slightly annoying not being able to catch certain Pokémon for three months at a time :p All in all I liked the season change feature, but I'm not sure I'd want to see it again in other games. Although that's unlikely since Deerling will need a way to change :p