(I have played both games, and I will be using the same review for them both)

One of the franchise's first big experimental leap in story and design. And one of its most notably successful.

Truly a standout game in the Pokemon series, and a well-needed breather at its time. With memorable character design, an intriguing plot, and a Dex with arguably the most personality-filled Pokemon, Pokemon Black and Pokemon White are still a joy to play to this day.

No idea what the UI experience is anywhere else, but it was abysmal on the Nintendo Switch.

I couldn't get hooked on the plot either. Characters weren't very interesting, and I didn't really feel immersed in the world.

It's a shame, because I did enjoy the art style and battle system.

The narrative was such a letdown. The art direction was fabulous, the music was beautiful (Yasunori Nishiki is now one of my favorite composers!), and the gameplay was engaging. But... man I just couldn't get on board with how fragmented the story was told. I understand why the writers opted to craft an "open" story where players could choose any of the eight character paths, and navigate to others at their own whim and leisure. However, the lack of actual plot direction and meaningful character interaction makes it difficult to feel immersed in the world and characters.

I would recommend avoiding discussions concerning controversies surrounding the developer. No matter what your opinion is, this game does not discuss any of those politics. Many of the characters themselves are gender non-conforming in some way, but that's about it.

A standout in the RPG Maker "genre." Catchy music, vibrant pixel art style, and a touching story. The game was life-changing for me for personal reasons, and I can confidently recommend this as a must-play for those looking to see some of what RPG Maker can do. Can't get enough of the characters either. Very charming all around.