>>25237328-the battle scenes are boring and aesthetically a step down from gen 4
-the pokemon selection is overall ugly and unpleasing, most of the interesting pokemon appear in the second half of the game after your interest has waned. the new pokemon for the most part don't take any risks (physical/slow rock types, physical fighting types, special/slow psychic types, bulky waters), there are no new type combinations that appear until after the 3rd gym, and are on the whole rehashes of what has been done.
- you are intercepted by your friends (I wouldn't say you have a "rival" in BW) in pretty much every town and they talk about their feelings
- the map is one line with no complex routes
- the towns are overly urban and plastered with concrete and consequently look uninteresting, dull and dreary
however the anon is correct that BW2 is definitely worth the play. it spices up a lot of the towns from BW, the battle scene looks better, and the dex gives you many many many more options
